Abstract

Screening of water content in organic solvents using headspace gas chromatography flame ionization detector following calcium carbide reaction

Author(s): Jalal Hassan, Lida Nikbakhtan, Shahla Mozaffari

A simple method has been developed for the indirect determination of the trace water content in various organic solvents using reaction of water with calciumcarbide to convert to acetylene. The sample and calciumcarbide are placed in a closed sampling vessel, heated using a known temperature profile, and the acetylene in the vessel is sampled for analysis. Gas-tight syringe headspace-gas chromatography is used for determination of acetylene. Optimum extraction conditions have been evaluated with respect to temperature, calcium carbide, and stirring rate. In our experiments, good linearity (r2 = 0.9947) and precision (R.S.D. < 10%, n = 3)were achieved. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were 54 and 181mg L-1, respectively. This technique is a promising pre-treatmentmethod for the simple, rapid, accurate and precise analysis of water content in organic solvents.