Analytical method for the determination of carbon in the respirable dust fraction – applicable for particulate diesel engine emissions in working areas
Translation of DGUV Information 213-544 (former BGI 505-44 or ZH1/120.44)
Method 02 – Coulometric determination
Sampling with a pump, collection on a particle filter and separate coulometric determination of organically bound carbon and the elemental carbon in the respirable dust fraction.
This method is used to determine the concentration of organically bound carbon (OC), averaged over the sampling time, which can be desorbed in a stream of nitrogen and then transformed to carbon dioxide by oxidation with copper oxide. In a second step the concentration of the remaining carbon (elemental carbon, EC) is determined by combustion in a stream of oxygen. The method is used for stationary sampling in the working area.
Principle
With a pump a measured air volume is drawn through a quartz glass fibre filter. The respirable dust fraction is collected according to DIN EN 481 by this sampling method. In a first step the organically bound carbon collected on the filters is thermally desorbed in a stream of nitrogen, reacted to yield carbon dioxide followed by determination by coulometric titration. In a second step the elemental carbon is determined by combustion to carbon dioxide in a stream of oxygen followed by coulometric titration.
Limit of quantification (LOQ)
The absolute and the relative quantification limits for an eight hour sampling period are listed in the following tables:
Volatile and thermally degradable, organically bound carbon (OC)
| Sampling system |
Filter diameter (mm) |
Air flow rate (m³/h) |
Quantification limit | (carbon) |
| absolute (mg) | relative (mg/m³) | |||
| PM 4F | 70 | 4,0 | 0,06 | 0,002 |
| MPG II | 47 | 2,8 | 0,06 | 0,003 |
Elemental carbon (EC)
| Sampling system |
Filter diameter (mm) |
Air flow rate (m³/h) |
Quantification limit | (carbon) |
| absolute (mg) | relative (mg/m³) | |||
| PM 4F | 70 | 4,0 | 0,06 | 0,002 |
| MPG II | 47 | 2,8 | 0,06 | 0,003 |
Issue
June 1995
The complete measuring method is available in the Wiley Online Library: Methods for the determination of carbon in the respirable dust fraction – applicable for particulate diesel engine emissions in working areas (Analyses of Hazardous Substances in Air, Volume 4, 1999).
Method 01 – Coulometric determination – withdrawn
Sampling with a pump, collection on a particle filter and coulometric determination of the total carbon in the respirable dust fraction.
This method determines the average concentration (averaged over the sampling time) in the respirable dust fraction which is oxidizable to carbon dioxide in a stream of oxygen. Stationary sampling in the working area is possible.
Principle
With a pump a measured air volume is drawn through a quartz glass fibre filter. The respirable dust fraction is collected according to DIN EN 481. The sum of organic and elemental carbon on the loaded filters ist determined after combustion in a stream of oxygen to form carbon dioxide followed by coulometric titration.
Limit of quantification (LOQ)
The determined absolute and relative quantification limits for an eight hour sampling period are listed in the following table:
| Sampling system |
Filter diameter (mm) |
Air flow rate (m³/h) |
Quantification limit | (carbon) |
| absolute (mg) | relative (mg/m³) | |||
| PM 4F | 70 | 4,0 | 0,06 | 0,002 |
| MPG II | 47 | 2,8 | 0,06 | 0,003 |
Issue
June 1995
Withdrawn
May 2014
The complete measuring method is available in the Wiley Online Library: Methods for the determination of carbon in the respirable dust fraction – applicable for particulate diesel engine emissions in working areas (Analyses of Hazardous Substances in Air, Volume 4, 1999).
You can reach the German-language version of the article with a single click on the flag-symbol.
