Standard Test Method for Mercaptan Content of the Atmosphere

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers measurement of the concentration of mercaptans (organic thiols) in the atmosphere at concentrations below 100 parts per billion (ppb(v) = 195 µg/m3). For concentrations above 100 ppb(v) level, the sampling period can be reduced or the liquid volume increased either before or after aspirating. The minimum detectable amount of methyl mercaptan is 0.04 µg/mL (1) in a final liquid volume of 25 mL. When sampling air at the maximum recommended rate of 2 L/min for 2 h, the minimum detectable mercaptan concentration is 1.0 ppb(v) (1.95 µg methyl mercaptan/m 3 at 101.3 kPa (760 mm Hg) and 25oC). This test method determines total mercaptans and does not differentiate among individual mercaptans, although it is most sensitive to the lower molecular weight alkanethiols.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in 8.7, 8.8, and Section 9.

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ASTM D2913-96(2001)e1 - Standard Test Method for Mercaptan Content of the Atmosphere
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e1
Designation:D2913–96 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Test Method for
Mercaptan Content of the Atmosphere
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2913; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Footnotes 8 and 9 were deleted editorially in March 2001.
1. Scope D 1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient
Atmosphere
1.1 This test method covers measurement of the concentra-
D 1914 Practice for Conversion Units and Factors Relating
tion of mercaptans (organic thiols) in the atmosphere at
to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
concentrations below 100 parts per billion (ppb(v) = 195
D 2914 Test Methods for Sulfur Dioxide Content of the
µg/m ). For concentrations above 100 ppb(v) level, the sam-
Atmosphere (West-Gaeke Method)
pling period can be reduced or the liquid volume increased
D 3195 Practice for Rotameter Calibration
either before or after aspirating. The minimum detectable
2 D 3249 Practice for General Ambient Air Analyzer Proce-
amountofmethylmercaptanis0.04µg/mL(1) inafinalliquid
dures
volume of 25 mL. When sampling air at the maximum
D 3609 Practice for Calibration Techniques Using Perme-
recommended rate of 2 L/min for 2 h, the minimum detectable
ation Tubes
mercaptan concentration is 1.0 ppb(v) (1.95 µg methyl
D 3631 Test Methods for Measuring Surface Atmospheric
mercaptan/m at 101.3 kPa (760 mm Hg) and 25°C). This test
Pressure
method determines total mercaptans and does not differentiate
E1 Specification forASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
among individual mercaptans, although it is most sensitive to
the lower molecular weight alkanethiols.
3. Terminology
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
standard.
method, refer to Terminology D 1356.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Summary of Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 This test method is intended for obtaining an integrated
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
sample over a selected time span (such as 2 h) either manually
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
or in an automatic sequential sampler using 10 mL of absorp-
tionary statements are given in 8.7, 8.8, and Section 9.
tion liquid in a bubbler.
4.2 The absorption liquid is delivered to the laboratory for
2. Referenced Documents
3 colorimetric analysis by reaction between the collected mer-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
captan and N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine.
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D 1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
5. Significance and Use
Atmospheres
5.1 Mercaptans are odorous substances offensive at low
concentrations and toxic at higher levels. They are emitted
from geothermal sources, industrial processes, and food pro-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on
Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
cessing facilities.
mittee D22.03 on Ambient Atmospheres and Source Emissions.
Current edition approved April 10, 1996. Published June 1996. Originally
6. Interferences
e1
published as D 2913 – 70 T. Last previous edition D 2913 – 87 (1991) .
6.1 The N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine reaction is also
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
this test method.
suitable for the determination of other sulfur-containing com-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
pounds including hydrogen sulfide and dimethyl disulfide (2).
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
The potential for interference from these latter compounds is
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. especially important, since all of these compounds commonly
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
e1
D2913–96 (2001)
coexist in certain industrial emissions.Appropriate selection of 7.1.7 Flow meter, having a range of 0 to 2.5 L/min.
the color formation conditions and measurements of absor- 7.1.8 Thermometers—ASTM Thermometer 33C, meeting
bance at the specified wavelength will eliminate the potential the requirements of SpecificationE1, will be suitable for most
interference from hydrogen sulfide. applications of this test method.
6.2 Hydrogen sulfide, if present in the sampled air, may 7.1.9 Barograph or Barometer—Capable of measuring at-
cause a turbidity in the sample absorbing solution. This mospheric pressure to 60.5 kPa (4 Torr), meeting the require-
precipitatemustbefilteredbeforeproceedingwiththeanalysis. ments of Test Methods D 3631.
One study showed that 100 µg of H S gave a mercaptan color 7.1.10 Stopwatch or timer, accurate to 61 s/24 h.
equivalent to 1.5 to 2.0 µg of mercaptan (3). Another study 7.1.11 The arrangements of the component parts of sam-
reported no absorption at 500 nm in the presence of 150 µg of pling is shown in Fig. 1a, Test Methods D 2914.
hydrogen sulfide (4, 5). 7.2 Calibration Apparatus—A means of generating dy-
6.3 Approximately equimolar response is obtained from the namic standard atmospheres using a permeation device. Dilu-
hydrolysis products of dimethyl disulfide, the molar extinction tion air and excess dilution flow must be filtered through
coefficient for the amine-mercaptan reaction product being activated charcoal to prevent recirculating small quantities of
4.4 3 10 , and the amine-dimethyl disulfide reaction product mercaptans. See Practice D 3609 for details.
being 5.16 3 10 (5). The interference due to dimethyl disul- 7.3 Colorimeter or Spectrophotometer, (at 500 nm)—Use
fide has been experimentally determined. Dimethyl disulfide 2.5- or 5.0-cm path length to obtain adequate sensitivity.
concentrations of 0.6 ppm(v) and 1.0 ppm(v) given an equiva-
8. Reagents and Materials
lent response as 0.4 ppm(v) and 0.8 ppm(v), respectively, of
methyl mercaptan.
8.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
6.4 Sulfur dioxide up to 250 µg does not influence the color usedinalltests.Allreagentsshallconformtothespecifications
developmentevenwhensamplingatestatmospherecontaining
of the Committee on Analytical Reagents of the American
300 ppm(v) of SO . Chemical Society, where such specifications are available.
6.5 Nitrogen dioxide does not interfere up to 700 µg of NO
Other grades may be used, provided it is first ascertained that
when sampling a test atmosphere containing 6 ppm. Higher the reagent is of sufficiently high purity to permit its use
concentrations of NO caused a positive interference when
without lessening the accuracy of the determination.
mercaptans were present, but no interference in the absence of 8.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
mercaptans. Such elevated NO concentrations are unrealistic to water shall mean referee reagent water conforming to
and would not be encountered in the ambient air except in the Specification D 1193.
vicinity of an accidental spillage. 8.3 Solutions should be refrigerated when not in use.
6.6 The supply of mercuric acetate must be free of mercu- 8.4 Amine-HydrochloricAcid Solution, Stock—Dissolve5.0
rous ion. If mercurous ion is present, turbidity will result when gof N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine hydrochloride (p-
the chloride ion-containing reagents are added in the last step aminodimethylaniline hydrochloride) in 1 L of concentrated
of the analytical procedure. hydrochloric acid (HCL). Refrigerate and protect from light.
This solution is stable for at least 6 months.
7. Apparatus
8.5 Reissner Solution—Dissolve 67.6 g of ferric chloride
7.1 Sampling Apparatus: hexahydrate (FeCl ·6H O) in distilled water, dilute to 500 mL,
3 2
7.1.1 Absorber—Midget bubbler with coarse porosity frit. andmixwith500mLofnitricacid(HNO )solutioncontaining
7.1.2 Air Sample Probe—TFE-fluorocarbon, polypropy- 72 mL of boiled concentrated nitric acid (sp gr 1.42). This
lene, or glass tube with a polypropylene or glass funnel at the solution is stable.
end. 8.6 Color-Developing Reagent—Mix 3 volumes of amine
7.1.3 Moisture Trap-Glass, or polypropylene tube with a solution and 1 volume of Reissner solution. Prepare this
two port closure. The entrance port of the closure is fitted with solution freshly for each set of determinations.
tubingthatextendstothebottomofthetrap.Theunitisloosely 8.7 Absorbing Solution—Dissolve 50 g of mercuric acetate
packed with 16-mesh activated charcoal to prevent moisture Hg (CH COO) in 400 mLof distilled water and add 25 mLof
3 2
entrainment. The charcoal should be changed weekly. glacial acetic acid (CH COOH). Dilute to 1 L. The mercuric
7.1.4 Filter—Membrane, of 0.8 to 2.0 µm porosity. acetate must be free of mercurous salts to prevent precipitation
7.1.5 Pump—Capableofmaintainingavacuumgreaterthan of mercurous chloride during color development. Reagent
70 kPA (0.7 atm) at the specified flowrate. grade mercuric acetate sometimes contains mercurous mer-
7.1.6 F
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