Novel Technique for Sensing BTEX Potential PERF/QUESTOR Project

The Issue Need to measure BTEX in water streams at low levels –Wastewater and Cooling Water –5 to 50 ppb –Current technologies costly (50 to 200 k$) Sparger IR or GC; Membrane MS Enhanced measurement in air for environmental and industrial hygiene also desirable

Novel Approach Sensors based on smart materials capable of extracting BTEX

Proposal Objectives: –Selection of polymers for analyte enrichment; –Development of improved materials based on nano-particle doped polymers or sols. –Determination of enrichment profiles (time and concentration) of aromatic compounds –Development and optimization of spectroscopic detection; –Optical design and optimization; –Design of a dedicated laboratory-sensing instrument. Deliverables: –Novel material design for BTEX determinations –Lab based sensing system ready for commercial development Principle Investigator: –Dr. Fiona Regan; Dublin City University Cost: –80,000 Euro Total –PERF/QUESTOR cost sharing - TBN