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Discovery and Identification of Dimethylsilanediol as a Contaminant in ISS Potable WaterIn September 2010, analysis of ISS potable water samples was undertaken to determine the contaminant(s) responsible for a rise of total organic carbon (TOC) in the Water Processor Assembly (WPA) product water. As analysis of the routine target list of organic compounds did not reveal the contaminant, efforts to look for unknown compounds were initiated, resulting in discovery of an unknown peak in the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis for glycols. A mass spectrum of the contaminant was then generated by concentrating one of the samples and analyzing it by GC/MS in full-scan mode. Although a computer match of the compound identity could not be obtained with the instrument database, a search with a more up-to-date mass spectral library yielded a good match with dimethylsilanediol (DMSD). Inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) analyses showed abnormally high silicon levels in the samples, confirming that the unknown compound(s) contained silicon. DMSD was then synthesized to confirm the identification and provide a standard to develop a calibration curve. Further confirmation was provided by external direct analysis in real time time of flight (DART TOF) mass spectrometry. To routinely test for DMSD in the future, a quantitative method was needed. A preliminary GC/MS method was developed and archived samples from various locations on ISS were analyzed to determine the extent of the contamination and provide data for troubleshooting. This paper describes these events in more detail as well as problems encountered in routine GC/MS analyses and the subsequent development of high performance liquid chromatography and LC/MS/MS methods for measuring DMSD.
Document ID
20110012746
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Rutz, Jeffrey A. (Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering Group Houston, TX, United States)
Schultz, John R. (Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering Group Houston, TX, United States)
Kuo, C. Mike (Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering Group Houston, TX, United States)
Curtis, Matthew (University of the Pacific Stockton, CA, United States)
Jones, Patrick R. (University of the Pacific Stockton, CA, United States)
Sparkman, O. David (University of the Pacific Stockton, CA, United States)
McCoy, J. Torin (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2011
Subject Category
Aeronautics (General)
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-24009
Meeting Information
Meeting: 41st futemational Conference on Environmental Systems
Location: Portland, OR
Country: United States
Start Date: July 17, 2011
End Date: July 21, 2011
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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