ANALYSIS OF CREOSOTE BY INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY
Abstract
As a part of the Laboratory's task to develop materials and techniques for treating timbers to retard or prevent marine borer attack, infrared spectroscopy was used to obtain analytical data from a number of creosotes that would have been difficult to obtain by chemical means. A method was devised to distinguish by infrared spectroscopy pure coke-oven creosote from low-temperature or vertical-retort creosote. Infrared spectroscopy can also be used to detect adulteration of coke-oven creosote with petroleum containing saturated hydrocarbons or aromatic hydrocarbons with saturated hydrocarbon chains. Spectral differences were detected in creosote extracted from a pair of similarly creosoted panels, one of which was exposed in a harbor and the other of which remained on a shelf in the laboratory. Spectral differences were also noted in creosote extracted from different cross-sectional depths of marine piling. Creosote from the outermost portion of the piling contained a greater amount of saturated hydrocarbons and a greater amount of oxidation products than did creosote from further into the interior of the piling. Olefins were shown to be present in the saturated hydrocarbon chromatography fraction of a number of creosotes. This is believed to be the first report of the presence of olefins in creosote. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 25, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0284223
Entities
People
- R.w. Drisko
Organizations
- Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center