TXRF Real-Time Low-Cost Monitoring System for Selenium, Mercury and Arsenic

The goal of this Phase I project is to develop a novel real-time, online monitor for selenium species Se (IV) and Se (VI) in addition to Mercury and Arsenic for effluent streams at coal fire power plants. The foundation for this effort is based on UHV’s recent success in developing novel advanced online XRF and TXRF measuring systems. These online instruments have been designed for the recycling, recovery, and pharmaceutical industries. The technical approach is to couple existing methods of column separation for Selenium (IV) and Selenium (VI) with the TXRF measurement technology. The keys to success for this Phase I effort include; utilizing state of the art methods for Selenium species separation, simplifying the overall measurement process, utilizing state of the art methods in TXRF spectroscopy, using existing NIST certified standard reference materials, cybersecurity, creating new calibration standards for Se (IV) and Se (VI), and creating a benchtop prototype for Phase I and both benchtop and online prototype for onsite testing during the Phase II effort. The work plan includes the following objectives: Developing a Se (IV) and Se (VI) species separation process for existing TXRF instruments, creating Se (IV) and Se (VI) Calibration Standards to verify instrument performance, optimizing the TXRF instrument for low ppb measurement of Se, Hg and As, identification of potential matrix and fluid handling problems with samples of power plant effluent streams, and fabrication and Assembly for a benchtop prototype in Phase I and Design for a commercial benchtop and a commercial online instrument for testing on-site during Phase II. This technology proposes to measure the two different forms of Selenium (IV) and (VI) which is found in waste waters from coal fire power plants. Measurement of Selenium (VI) is critical as the treatment of this species is more expensive than treatment methods for Selenium (IV). Therefore, measuring Selenium (VI) in real time will help the user of the technology to optimize a treatment strategy.