Author: Vivek Patel

Objective: Examine if toluene is a safer and more environmentally friendly substitute for tetrachloroethene (TCE) for two important types of analysis:

  1. UV fluorescence (UVF)
  2. FTIR spectroscopy for Oil & Grease

And in addition, solvent-free analysis was also looked at to reduce the analysis time:

🧭 Background and Motivation

Tetrachloroethene (TCE), also known as perchloroethylene (C₂Cl₄), has long been used in analytical chemistry as a solvent due to its strong solvency power, is clear in infrared light, and doesn't catch fire. However, TCE is also highly toxic, poses significant health risks, is expensive, and requires strict disposal protocols due to its environmental impact.

In an effort to reduce laboratory hazards and operational costs, this study explores the possibility of replacing TCE with toluene (C₆H₅CH₃) — an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent that is less toxic and more readily available. The study is divided into two parts:

  1. Comparing TCE and Toluene in UV Fluorescence (UVF) analysis
  2. Comparing TCE and Toluene in FTIR-based oil and grease quantification

🔬 Part 1: UV Fluorescence Analysis Using TCE vs. Toluene

What is UVF?

Ultraviolet Fluorescence (UVF) is a technique used to detect aromatic hydrocarbons by exciting the sample with UV light and measuring the resulting fluorescence. It is particularly useful for monitoring oil contamination in water. In this study, a Turner Designs TD-500D instrument was used to perform the analysis, referencing EPA Method 1664.

Sample Types

The samples analyzed include: