Most natural water systems, industrial processes, wastewater streams, and storage facilities are monitored by analyzing periodic grab samples, a process that results in a low-resolution understanding of the aqueous streams chemistry. With limited data points, transient events may positively bias an analytes temporally averaged concentration; even worse, brief high- or low-concentration events may not be detected, exposing workers to possibly hazardous conditions. This project will develop a robust, self-calibrating and validating, regulatory compliant, continuous mercury monitoring system for natural and industrial wastewater streams, as well as for hazardous storage facilities at DOE sites. The system will be based on well-established mercury measurement methods and laboratory instrumentation, modified to accomplish the difficult demands of on-line, regulatory compliance analysis. Phase I will combine a sample pre-treatment module and an atomic fluorescence detector in a flow-based system. The system will be optimized to handle difficult matrices and negate interferences while producing compliant data. The software to control each module will be prepared. Finally, the instrument will be validated in the laboratory for short- and long-term unattended operation. Phase II will convert the final design into a market-ready product and validate it at demonstration sites.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The device should be able to obtain real-time concentrations of mercury in any liquid stream or waste storage tank. Due to its robust nature, the instrument should be useful for monitoring difficult matrices such as industrial wastewater, mining wastewater, and nuclear waste. In addition, local municipalities could continuously monitor their drinking water or effluent discharge wastewater, ensuring compliance with water quality criteria
