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Portable/Remote Chemical Analyzers With Reduced Reagent Needs

EPA Contract Number: 68D70031
Title: Portable/Remote Chemical Analyzers With Reduced Reagent Needs
Investigators: Sepelak, Dennis J.
Small Business: Testing Services
EPA Contact: Manager, SBIR Program
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1997 through March 1, 1998
Project Amount: $69,400
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1996)
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , SBIR - Monitoring and Analysis

Description:

Currently, there are two ways of obtaining chemical analyses for field sites. The first method requires samples to be taken, marked, sent to a lab, and analyzed. This method is labor-intensive, and there often is a significant lag time between taking the sample to receiving the test results. The second method, placing a remote automatic analysis device in the field, avoids these problems; however, existing automatic units are not portable due to significant reagent and power requirements and are expensive to purchase, operate, and maintain.

This SBIR project will explore novel designs for low-cost portable/remote chemical analyzers. In Phase I, new sensors will be designed that will reduce or eliminate the need for reagent chemicals. These sensors will be coupled with small, single-board computers to make low-cost, compact real-time analyzers capable of monitoring multiple pollutants and water quality parameters, with minimal need for reagents and power. The first step will be to build a new sensor for phosphate because of its environmental and industrial impact. Two concepts will be explored in this research - the reaction of phosphate at metal electrode surfaces and the electrogeneration of reagents for the detection of phosphate.

Supplemental Keywords:

small business, SBIR, monitoring, engineering, chemistry. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry and Materials Science, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, portable chemical analyzer, reduced reagent, multiple pollutant monitor

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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