Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

The requested instrument is a high performance (pressure) liquid chromatography (HPLC) which is capable of analysing of a broad spectrum of organics. If this application is successful, the HPLC apparatus will be used to analyze various aromatic compounds such as phenols, anilines,benzene, toluene, surfactants, plasticizers, and other hydrocarbons (including PAHs), etc. All these compounds are toxic to humans and some are considered to be endocrine disruptors. Several projects are on-going where this instrument will be used extensively for the analysis of these compounds. Industries such as coal conversion, petroleum refining, resin and plastic, iron and steel, pharmaceuticals, and foundries discharge various aromatic compounds. The applicant, with K.E. Taylor and J.K. Bewtra, has developed an innovative technology for removal of these toxic compounds from wastewater using enzymes that can be produced by microbes or ordinary plants. This innovative system operates efficiently with a short reaction time, has low capital cost and space requirements. Also, certain hydrocarbons are getting into the groundwater and creating a major health risks. In the Clean Diesel group directed by Dr. Zheng and Dr. Reader, there are several potential clean combustion projects which will benefit from the use of the proposed HPLC. This will assist in the analysis of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH); the biofuel property research; and the lubricant oil dilution and degradation in the engine combustion processes. The HPLC requested here will be the main analytical instrument for about 15 graduate students, who will use it to determine the concentration of toxic compounds in a rapid manner.