Real-Time Chemical Emissions Monitor

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Real-Time Chemical Emissions Monitor--Los Gatos Research, 1685 Plymouth Street, Suite 100, Mountain View, CA 94043-1231; (415) 965-7772
Dr. James J. Scherer, Principal Investigator
Dr. Anthony O'Keefe, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-97ER82417
Amount: $75,000
Real-time chemical sensors are needed for both the characterization of mixed chemical waste as well as for monitoring and optimizing processing and remediation technologies at sites contaminated by organic, radioactive, and inorganic materials. This project entails the development of a new, highly sensitive analytical technology ideally suited for use as an ultra trace level detector of toxic chemicals. This analytical technique uses absorbed light quantify absolute concentrations for several gaseous chemicals simultaneously in microseconds and at a part per trillion level. The technology can be implemented using existing off-the-shelf hardware and can employ a variety of new and inexpensive solid-state light sources. For the Phase I effort, the fundamental concepts integrated into the technique will be experimentally tested. The results of these tests will set realistic performance limits for the associated components, which in turn will be translated into concentration detection limits for various chemicals. The Phase I research will provide a secure foundation for the development of a full-scale prototype instrument during Phase II, which will be specifically engineered to monitor chemicals of interest to DOE. Additionally, support software for the automated control of the prototype instrument will be developed during Phase II, with emphasis on integration into existing DOE facilities.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The ability to accurately determine ultra trace level chemicals in real time will assist in the characterization and remediation of toxic chemical waste and can be employed in a wide scope of industrial processing facilities, such as at high-purity semiconductor manufacturing plants. There are also numerous applications in both basic and applied research as well as commercial sectors.