Precolumn sample-enrichment device for analysis of ambient volatile organics by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:6222732

Arnts, R R

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC/MS) identification of air pollutants generally requires a preconcentration step to provide sufficient sample for analysis. Cryogenic trapping is often used to enrich the sample since nitrogen and oxygen are not condensed. It does, however, concentrate enormous quantities of water and carbon dioxide - enough to plug high-resolution narrow-bore capillary columns needed for separation of complex environmental samples. Whole-air samples were collected in stainless steel containers or Tedlar bags for analysis by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/FID). In order to provide identification of unknown peaks and confirmation of tentatively named peaks, the system described herein was designed and built to enrich samples for GC/MS analysis of volatile organics. The preconcentration system consists of a solid sorbent trap and a cryogenic trap used in sequence to collect organic vapors and focus them for analysis by GC/MS.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (USA). Atmospheric Sciences Research Lab.
• OSTI ID: 6222732
• Report Number(s): PB-87-174967/XAB; EPA-600/J-85/477
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102 -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AIR SAMPLERS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
EQUIPMENT
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MATTER
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
QUANTITY RATIO
SAMPLERS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPECTROSCOPY
VOLATILE MATTER