DUVAS: a real-time aromatic vapor monitor for coal conversion facilities

A real-time field-portable derivative UV-absorption spectrometer (DUVAS) has been designed, built, and evaluated as an aromatic vapor monitor for use at coal conversion facilities. The instrument is microcomputer controlled, providing a variety of operating modes. Both laboratory and field measurements have been made. Among the aromatic vapors detected in headspace above various coal conversion products are benzene, toluene, phenol, cresols, and naphthalenes. The instrument should prove useful as an industrial hygiene tool both for area monitoring and for leak detection.