Robert L. Jolley

Nonpulsing reagent metering for continuous colorimetric detection systems

Abstract A method has been developed for metering liquid reagents without variations in flow rate for continuous colorimetric detection systems. The reagent is forced from a storage chamber by hydraulic head or by gas overpressure, and flow control is achieved by resistance in the delivery line which may be either capillary tubing and/or a needle valve. Continuous flow of the reagent reaction mixture through the colorimeter is achieved by using a water aspirator. Such a system is now employed routinely in a continuous carbohydrate analyzer in which concentrated sulfuric acid and a 5% phenol solution are continously metered and mixed with the effluent from an anion-exchange resin column that separates the carbohydrates in physiological samples.

Determination of Chlorine-Containing Organics in Chlorinated Sewage Effluents by Coupled 36Cl Tracer—High-Resolution Chromatography

Abstract A method has been developed to study the effects of chlorination on sewage and the effluents from sewage treatment plants. This method combines radioactive tracer (36Cl) chlorination with high-resolution chromatography. The need for such methodology follows from the lack of data about chlorination effects and from the concern that chlorination will yield environmentally harmful substances. Utilizing this experimental technique, over 40 chlorine-containing organic constituents were detected in the effluent from the primary stage of a domestic sanitary sewage treatment plant.

Identification of organic halogen products

Approximately two million tons of chlorine are used annually in this country for processing pulp and paper materials and for treating potable waters, cooling waters, waste waters, and other waters of environmental concern (White 1976). Organic halogen products are formed in these processes (Bellar et al. 1974; Brownlee and Strachan 1976; Glaze et al. 1973; Glaze and Henderson 1975; Glaze et al. 1976; Jolley 1973, 1975, 1976; Jolley et al. 1976; Keith 1976; Rogers and Keith 1976; Stevens et al. 1976). Thus there is considerable potential for adverse environmental effects to occur

Characterization of organics in aqueous effluents of coal conversion processes

Abstract High-resolution liquid chromatography is being applied to the characterization of refractory organic compounds present in coal conversion streams at concentrations as low as a few micrograms per liter. The chromatographic system, which was previously developed for the analysis of the molecular biochemical constituents in human body fluids, is capable of analyzing for compounds that are u.v.-absorbing and/or oxidizable with sulfatoceric acid. Aqueous samples from various coal-liquefaction experiments have been collected, concentrated when necessary, and chromatographed. The chromatographic fractions have then been subjected to a multiple-analytical identification procedure utilizing, in sequence, UV-spectrometry, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry. With this procedure, 18 organics were identified and 15 were quantified in the effluent from the product scrubber of a bench-scale hydrocarbonization unit. In addition, numerous unknown constituents have been characterized with respect to gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties.

Ultraviolet irradiation of municipal wastewater: Evaluation of effects on organic constituents

Abstract A comparison of chromatograms derived from the UV-absorbing and oxidizable constituents present in primary and secondary municipal wastewater effluents indicates that exposure to UV irradiation at disinfection levels results in only slight chemical changes. The most pronounced chemical effects to nonvolatile organic constituents in wastewater effluents have been observed at irradiation levels in excess of those necessary for disinfection. Aliquots of effluents before and after exposure to varying levels of UV irradiation were concentrated by lyophilization prior to liquid chromatographic (LC) analysis. Anion-exchange chromatographic techniques utilizing a modified ultraviolet detector coupled in series with a cerate oxidative monitor provided excellent resolution and sensitivity in the determination of chemical changes occurring in the effluents as a result of exposure to different irradiation levels. The total coliform counts for each irradiated effluent were determined by the membrane-filter technique to evaluate the effectiveness of UV irradiation as a disinfection process for municipal wastewaters. Changes in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) at different levels of exposure to UV irradiation are presented. The results of these determinations and the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry data characterizing the observed chemical changes are discussed.