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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids (BPCA)
Published on: May 16, 2016
Isomeric analysis of PCDD/PCDF in waste incinerator fly ash by GC-MS/MS
Adrian M Cunliffe1, Paul T Williams
1Energy and Resources Research Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
Abstract:
The development of an analytical method for the analysis of PCDD/PCDF in fly ash using a bench analytical system comprising of a gas chromatograph fitted with an ion trap detector operated in the tandem MS mode is described. The optimum settings for the most important MS/MS parameters are given, including those for the less reported mono- to tri-chlorinated dioxin and furan congener groups. Fly ash samples from three waste incineration plants representing a de-commissioned 1970s plant design, an upgraded and still operating plant originally designed in the 1970s, and a modern 1990s design operating plant have been analysed for PCDD/PCDF. The fly ash samples were analysed for PCDD/PCDF using the methods developed and the total PCDD/PCDF, I-TEQ values and isomeric profiles are reported. The fly ash from the older de-commissioned incinerator had very significantly higher concentrations of PCDD/PCDF compared to the modern incinerator fly ash.
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