Unique Environmental Testing
Summary:
Effluent waste water from an industrial facility showed elevated levels of a regulated priority pollutant; N-nitrosodiphenylamine. This analyte is typically examined as part of the standardized testing for semivolatile organic compounds (SVOC) using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). This is described in EPA method 8270. However N-nitrosodiphenylamine can not be distinguished from the structurally similar diphenylamine. IsleChem was able to develop analysis technique using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) that allows for speciation of these two compounds.
GC-MS shows only a single species for a mix of N-nitrosodiphenylamine and diphenylamine. The nitroso compound thermally rearranges in the GC injection port to form diphenyl amine.
LC-MS allows for speciation and can achieve comparable reporting limits.
Benefits:
Evaluation of Chemical Raw Materials
Summary:
A manufacture of pool chemicals used as disinfecting agents wanted to change suppliers of a critical raw material. Manufacture wanted to ensure that chemical composition and physical properties were equivalent to current supplier. IsleChem performed the following testing comparing current and new supplier.
Parameter | Analytical Technique |
---|---|
Assay | HPLC |
Organic Impurities | HPLC |
Trace Metals | ICP-OES |
Bulk Density | Gravimetric |
Moisture | Karl Fisher Titration |
Granulation / Particle Size | Sieves |
Physical Appearance | Color Comparison |
Benefits:
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Testing in Surface Coatings
Summary:
Commercial paints and coating are regulated by the US EPA for VOC content.1Client suspected that based upon cost comparison a competitor’s product was not did not meet VOC regulations. Formulations for these materials can be complex and contain both exempt and non-exempt solvents. Compliance testing is required and must be performed in accordance with guidelines in US EPA Method 24. This method utilizes ASTM specified procedures which include:
Heading | Heading |
---|---|
Density | ASTM D 1475 |
Water Content | ASTM D 4017 |
Total Volatile Content | ASTM D 2369 |
Volatile Organic Compounds | ASTM D 6886-03 |
IsleChem employed Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) as the tool of choice to identify VOCs. This allowed for the disposition of solvents; exempt or non-exempt. This is followed by quantification using GC to determine total content of all non-exempt VOCs.
GC-MS of a commercial coating used to seal concrete.
Peaks identified as:
-1.66 min. Acetone (an exempt solvent)
- 7.21, 7.51 and 7.91-min. – Xylenes (non-exempt solvent)
Benefits:
1 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, 40 CFR Part 59 [AD–FRL–6149–7], RIN 2060–AE55 "National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Architectural Coatings", Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Final rule. Subsection 59.406 (a) (1) - Compliance provisions
Identification of a Surface Contaminant on Food Packaging Material
Summary:
Packaging used for food is constructed of a multi-layer composite intended to preserve contents, form a barrier to the environment and act as a sub straight for printing. IsleChem was commissioned to investigate poor print quality on such packaging material. After a discussion with the Client it was discovered poor print quality was linked to material that went through a specific roll mill to form the laminate. A surface contaminant was suspected. After solvent extraction of the packaging material the extract was examined by Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR) Spectrophotometry. Resulting spectrum was compared with reference spectra and was identified as a fatty acid amide; erucamide
FT-IR of solvent extract from food packaging (top) and reference spectrum of a fatty acid amide (bottom).
Benefits:
Polymer Characterization for Molecular Weight Distribution Values
Production of a low molecular weight polyisobutylenes used in an adhesive application showed poor performance. IsleChem performed Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) to obtain molecular with distribution values of Mp, Mn, Mw and Mz. Comparison was made with a control product showing consistent good adhesive properties.
Overlay GPC of two low molecular weight polymers showing varied adhesive properties
Sample | Mp | Mn | Mw | Mz |
---|---|---|---|---|
Control polymer 1 | 3700 | 2800 | 5000 | 8800 |
polymer 2 | 2100 | 1200 | 4000 | 7000 |
Benefits:
Plating Bath Balance Issue
Summary:
A printer using nickel plating baths to make master plates was experiencing a number of quality issues with the finished plates. A field consultation was held at the printing facility to discuss the problem and view finished plates, and to examine and discuss the chemistry and operational parameters of the plating baths. Samples of the baths were taken and evaluated, and it was determined that the chemistry of the nickel baths was out of balance, with nickel being low and boric acid relatively high. This in turn caused the finished plates to have flaws and/or prematurely fail.
The customer was trained on-site how to easily and quickly monitor the chemistry of their tanks. A spreadsheet was also created for the customer to automatically calculate which and how much replenishment reagents to add to regain proper levels and balance, based upon tank volume, operating temperature, nickel, boric acid and pH values obtained from the on-site monitoring.
Specific metal titration with colored endpoint (example – used to measure exact nickel or boric acid concentration in plating baths).
Hydrometer testing to quickly measure specific gravity of plating baths (indicator of total dissolved solids).
Benefits:
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