Membrane-Based Interference Contaminant Monitor

70680 In the environmental management of DOE sites, the implementation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rule creates two issues: (1) MACT requires that NOx and other contaminants be reliably monitored; and (2) the high levels of NOx in the off-gas stream may adversely affect the reliability of the equipment used to monitor contaminant levels (as it affects the performance of equipment installed to remove contaminants). This project will develop a Membrane-based Interference Contaminant Monitor (MICOM) as a selective detector design capable of monitoring NOx levels at parts-per-million levels. Additionally, the active components used in MICOM would be sufficiently robust to withstand both the high level waste (HLW) environment and the corrosive effects of NOx. Phase I will design and fabricate a MICOM system prototype to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept. Robustness of the MICOM will also be demonstrated Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: An immediate application of the technology would be to the chemical waste management companies and the nuclear industry for the continuous monitoring of NOx levels. A significant market should exist for moderate cost gas detectors and analyzers. Other markets include smog check stations, the mining industry, and scientific instrumentation.