Analysis of Chlorinated Ethene Reduction Products in Vapor/Water Phase Systems by Dual-Column, Single-Detector Gas Chromatography

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Abstract
A dual-column gas Chromatographie method using column sequence reversal (foreflushing) for the analysis of chlorinated ethenes (e.g., tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene) and their common reduction products including vinyl chloride, acetylene, ethene and ethane in headspace samples is described. The chlorinated ethenes and the C2 hydrocarbon gases are separated on 1% SP-1000 (60/80 mesh Carbopack B) and Carboxen 1000 (60/80 mesh) packed columns, respectively, and detected on a single flame ionization detector. Simulaneous determination of the chlorinated ethenes and C2, hydrocarbon gases facilitates pathway, mass balance and kinetic studies on reductive transformations of chlorinated ethenes. The use of a single detector simplifies system calibration, data collection and interpretation. Example chromatograms using this method on three different applications are presented to illustrate its utility.