Toxic materials sampling systems

Sampling systems are centrally located leak-detection systems that use a pump or aspirator to pull samples from various locations into an instrument for analysis. They can be used to detect both toxic or flammable materials. The instruments used may sample and analyze a single point or multiple points, depending on the application. Additionally, some of these systems will allow detection of up to five components. 

The high combustion efficiency of a fluid bed results in a reduced amount of inorganic material as fine ash. The remaining larger material consists mainly of noncombustibles, such as rocks, and wire brought in with the fuel, and coarse sand-Uke neutral particles. Low combustion temperatures in the fluidized bed minimize the formation of toxic materials that might go into the ash. Ash samples from FBC systems have consistently tested nontoxic, and in many instances the ash is being sold as input for other products such as cement. 

As with all methods, this approach has some limitations it uses acetonitrile, which is toxic, and the separation of glucose from fructose can sometimes be problematic after extended use of the column. However, sample preparation is easy since it requires only dilution to the required level (often 1 10) and filtration prior to analysis to remove particulate materials, which protects and extends the useful life of the column. The degradation of the resolution between glucose and fructose is caused by the partial inactivation of the column by materials in the matrix, but this resolution can be recovered by reducing the acetonitrile concentration in the solvent. The same column can also be used to assay the level of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in a soft drink or fruit juice, although different detection and solvent systems are used. 

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