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Enhanced sensitivity real-time monitoring of VOCs in air and water using filtered noise field in conjunction with a direct sampling ion trap mass spectrometer

Conference ·
OSTI ID:61900
; ;  [1]
  1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Direct Sampling Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry (DSITMS) is being used increasingly for a wide variety of environmental analysis and monitoring applications, both in the laboratory and in the field. Principal applications include rapid on-site field screening of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water and soil samples, quantitative determination of targeted VOCs in water for compliance monitoring, quantification of VOCs in air and soil gas, and real-time continuous monitoring of VOCs in process streams, gaseous systems, and stack emissions. This technology is also applicable to the determination of targeted semivolatile compounds including PCBs, some pesticides, chemical warfare agents, and heavy hydrocarbons, among others. Work on this project has primarily been perform using either Finnigan MAT ITMS or Finnigan MAT Magnum ion trap mass spectrometers which have been modified for direct sampling applications. The Magnum systems are further modified in this laboratory for mobile operation and on-site field applications. Because of the real-time, direct sampling nature of this technique, no prior chromatographic separation is performed on a sample prior to introduction of the analytes into the ion trap. Instead, chemical ionization, selective ion storage, and MS/MS are used to achieve the necessary selectivity and specificity for targeted compound analysis. Using conventional scan functions for the ion trap in conjunction with electron ionization or proton transfer chemical ionization, routine detection limits for VOCs are typically in the low part-per-billion range.
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
61900
Report Number(s):
CONF-9405234--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English