Measurement of Gas-to-Particle Partitioning Coefficients of Volatile Organic Compounds
School Name
Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Environmental Science
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are compounds that have a composition that allow for them to evaporate under normal atmospheric conditions of temperature and pressure. VOCs have been recognized to significantly influence human health and air quality. The composition of aerosol, relative humidity, and temperature are factors that work together to influence the interactions between VOCs and aerosol. The dominant partitioning mechanism for apolar VOCs is hydrophobic interactions between VOCs and water-insoluble organics of aerosols. These interactions have not been found to be influenced by relative humidity. Compared to the apolar VOCs, fewer studies have been performed on the polar and ionizable VOCs. It is recognized that the sorption mechanism of polar and ionizable VOCs on aerosols involves partitioning in the hydrophilic phase. Relative humidity significantly affects this mechanism. In this experiment, 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB) is used to aid in establishing an experimental method to measure the gas-to-particle partitioning coefficient (Kip). A LabView program was developed for controlling temperature so that the effect of temperature on Kip could be investigated.
Recommended Citation
Evans, Abigail, "Measurement of Gas-to-Particle Partitioning Coefficients of Volatile Organic Compounds" (2018). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 56.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2018/all/56
Location
Neville 110
Start Date
4-14-2018 8:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Measurement of Gas-to-Particle Partitioning Coefficients of Volatile Organic Compounds
Neville 110
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are compounds that have a composition that allow for them to evaporate under normal atmospheric conditions of temperature and pressure. VOCs have been recognized to significantly influence human health and air quality. The composition of aerosol, relative humidity, and temperature are factors that work together to influence the interactions between VOCs and aerosol. The dominant partitioning mechanism for apolar VOCs is hydrophobic interactions between VOCs and water-insoluble organics of aerosols. These interactions have not been found to be influenced by relative humidity. Compared to the apolar VOCs, fewer studies have been performed on the polar and ionizable VOCs. It is recognized that the sorption mechanism of polar and ionizable VOCs on aerosols involves partitioning in the hydrophilic phase. Relative humidity significantly affects this mechanism. In this experiment, 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB) is used to aid in establishing an experimental method to measure the gas-to-particle partitioning coefficient (Kip). A LabView program was developed for controlling temperature so that the effect of temperature on Kip could be investigated.
