Investigation of a Colorimetric Passive Dosimeter to Indicate the Presence of Hydrocarbons from Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
Public Deposited- Last Modified
- February 28, 2019
- Creator
-
Napfel, Claudia M.
- Affiliation: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering
- Abstract
- The applicability of colorimetric passive dosimetry to environmental monitoring of underground storage tanks was investigated. A yellow colored powder was developed by mixing potassium dichromate, sulfuric acid, and water with activated alumina powder. Reaction with hydrocarbon vapors reduced the chromate and produced a green color. A definite correlation between concentration-time values and color was determined in the laboratory. Concentration of total hydrocarbons were quantified and expressed as parts per million octane. Color change was evident in ten minutes when the dosimeter was exposed to a concentrations above 500 ppm octane. Concentrations as low as 150 ppm octane were detected in the three hour sampling time employed, and are indicative of a tank leak. Field tests and a site assessment at a known contaminated area were performed, and data correlated well with previously acquired soil vapor total hydrocarbon concentration data via two different methods. Currently available tank monitoring devices are discussed, with advantages, disadvantages, and comparison to the colorimetric passive dosimeter.
- Date of publication
- December 1981
- DOI
- Resource type
- Rights statement
- In Copyright
- Advisor
- DiGiano, Francis A.
- Leith, David
- Reist, Parker C.
- Degree
- Master of Science in Environmental Engineering
- Academic concentration
- Industrial Hygiene
- Degree granting institution
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Graduation year
- 1981
- Language
- Deposit record
- ad7e9272-7c4f-43e0-afeb-7a5f2526ad76
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