Development of a Novel Mass Spectrometric ... - Jacobs University

Introduction
uV (x100,000)
Chromatogram
1.75
1.50
1.25
1.00
0.75
0.50
0.25
0.00
5.0 7.5 10.0 12.5 15.0 17.5 20.0 22.5 25.0 27.5 30.0 32.5 35.0 37.5 min
Figure 1-9 UCM feature of hydrocarbon content of light shredder waste in GC
The scientific question that needs to address urgently is about the composition of
the hump. Whether the hump contains only hydrocarbons has remained a matter of
speculation rather than experimental proof and no detailed information exists on
the actual composition, presumably varying dramatically between samples. If other
non HC components are present the KW 4 does not then determine HCs and
should not be used as legally binding procedure for measuring HC contamination.
The resulting challenge is to develop an alternative method to reliably measure
HCs in shredder waste or any other source of heavy long chain HCs.
Resulting from this problem the specific aim of the project is to establish the
chemical content of the UCM in light shredder waste and once adequately
characterized develop a reliable method for the determination and quantification of
HCs alternative to KW 4.As well the study aims at evaluating the extent of UCM
weathering or biodegradation of the waste. The project however seeks to devise
and develop an MS-based methodology capable of analysing and characterizing a
complex mixture of hydrocarbons within the light shredder waste.
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