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An evaluation of commercial devices for automated sequential sampling of carbonyl compounds in air

Conference ·
OSTI ID:197350

This paper reports an evaluation of four prototype commercial devices for automated sequential sampling of carbonyl compounds in air. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how well the four samplers met the requirements for automated sequential sampling stated in the EPA guidance document. The four samplers tested were prototype instruments obtained on loan from the respective manufacturers, and represented widely differing approaches to the carbonyl sampling issue. The four manufacturers who participated in this study were Xontech, Inc.; Graseby-Andersen; Supelco-Xitech; and Scientific Instrumentation Specialists. A questionnaire and weighting system were devised, which resulted in a numerical ranking of the samplers on several key requirements and characteristics. The Xontech sampler received the highest overall rating, and met most of the requirements stated in the EPA guidance document except the ability to sample commercially available precoated DNPH cartridges. The Supelco-Xitech sampler received the second highest rating. The main limitation of this sampler was the open tube arrangement from the sampling manifold to the sampling cartridges, which could possibly lead to contamination. The SIS sampler received the third highest rating. Modifications to accept carbonyl cartridges instead of sorbent tubes, and to allow simultaneous parallel sampling, are needed to make this sampler a viable system for automated carbonyl sampling. The Graseby-Andersen sampler received the lowest rating, largely due to the fact that the sampler has no automated sampling capability.

OSTI ID:
197350
Report Number(s):
CONF-9405167--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English