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At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
USGS1997

The forms of trace metals in an Illinois basin coal by x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy

Utilities burning Illinois coals currently do not consider trace elements in their flue gas emissions. After the US EPA completes an investigation on trace elements, however, this may change and flue gas emission standards may be established. The mode of occurrence of a trace element may determine its cleanability and Hue gas emission potential. X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) is a spectroscopic technique that can differentiate the mode of occurrence of an element, even at the low concentrations that trace elements are found in coal. This is principally accomplished by comparing the XAFS spectra of a coal to a database of reference sample spectra. This study evaluated the technique as a potential tool to examine six trace elements in an Illinois #6 coal. For the elements As and Zn, the present database provides a definitive interpretation on their mode of occurrence. For the elements Ti, V, Cr, and Mn the database of XAFS spectra of trace elements in coal was still too limited to allow a definitive interpretation. The data obtained on these elements, however, was sufficient to rule out several of the mineralogical possibilities that have been suggested previously. The results indicate that XAFS is a promising technique for the study of trace elements in coal.

ACS Division of Fuel Chemistry, Preprints↗
USGS1997

Occurrence of the gasoline oxygenate MTBE and BTEX compounds in municipal stormwater in the United States, 1991-95

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) sampled stormwater in 16 cities and metropolitan areas that are required to obtain permits to discharge stormwater from their municipal storm-sewer system into surface water. Concentrations of 62 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and total xylene) compounds, were measured in 592 stormwater samples collected in these cities and metropolitan areas from 1991 through 1995. MTBE was the seventh most frequently detected VOC in municipal stormwater. In decreasing order, the most frequently detected VOCs were toluene, total xylene, chloroform, total trimethylbenzene, tetrachloroethene, and naphthalene. MTBE was detected in 6.9 percent (41 of 592) of stormwater samples collected. When detected, concentrations of MTBE ranged from 0.2 to 8.7 micrograms per liter (??g/L), with a median of 1.5 ??g/L. All detections of MTBE were less than the lower limit of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) draft drinking water lifetime health advisory (20 ??g/L). Eighty-three percent of all detections of MTBE in stonnwater were in samples collected during October through March of each year (1991-95), which corresponds with the expected seasonal use of oxygenated gasoline in areas where carbon monoxide exceeds established air-quality standards. The median concentration of MTBE and benzene for all samples was statistically different and higher in samples collected during October through March than samples collected during April through September. Sixty-six percent of all MTBE: detections occurred with BTEX compounds, and a proportionate increase in concentrations was found when these compounds occurred together. Detected concentrations of toluene and total xylene ranged from 0.2 to 6.6 ??g/L and 0.2 to 15 ??g/L with median concentrations of 0.3 and 0.4 ??g/L, respectively.

ACS Division of Environmental Chemistry, Preprints↗
USGS1997

Synthesis of polycrystalline methane hydrate, and its phase stability and mechanical properties at elevated pressure

Test specimens of methane hydrate were grown under static conditions by combining cold, pressurized CH4 gas with H2O ice grains, then warming the system to promote the reaction CH4 (g) + 6H2O (s???l) ??? CH4??6H2O. Hydrate formation evidently occurs at the nascent ice/liquid water interface, and complete reaction was achieved by warming the system above 271.5 K and up to 289 K, at 25-30 MPa, for approximately 8 hours. The resulting material is pure methane hydrate with controlled grain size and random texture. Fabrication conditions placed the H2O ice well above its melting temperature before reaction completed, yet samples and run records showed no evidence for bulk melting of the ice grains. Control experiments using Ne, a non-hydrate-forming gas, verified that under otherwise identical conditions, the pressure reduction and latent heat associated with ice melting is easily detectable in our fabrication apparatus. These results suggest that under hydrate-forming conditions, H2O ice can persist metastably at temperatures well above its melting point. Methane hydrate samples were then tested in constant-strain-rate deformation experiments at T= 140-200 K, Pc= 50-100 MPa, and ????= 10-4-10-6 s-1. Measurements in both the brittle and ductile fields showed that methane hydrate has measurably different strength than H2O ice, and work hardens to a higher degree compared to other ices as well as to most metals and ceramics at high homologous temperatures. This work hardening may be related to a changing stoichiometry under pressure during plastic deformation; x-ray analyses showed that methane hydrate undergoes a process of solid-state disproportionation or exsolution during deformation at conditions well within its conventional stability field.

ACS Division of Fuel Chemistry, Preprints↗