Design of a microprocessor-controlled automated injection system for the analysis of gas phase cigarette smoke using glass capillary columns

An automatic injection system for the analysis of gas phase smoke has been designed and evaluated using the microprocessor-controlled Hewlett-Packard 5830 gas chromatograph. The cryogenic preconcentration trap was constructed from relatively inexpensive and readily available materials. It was determined that the use of the preconcentration trap, as opposed to condensing the smoke on the head of the cold (-50°C) chromatographic column, significantly enhanced the resolution of the more volatile gas phase components. Data are presented which illustrate the injection system characteristics. In addition, chromatograms of gas phase smoke are presented which demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique.     

Analysis of headspace samples using off-line sorbent trapping coupled with automated thermal desorption and splitless injection onto a cryogenically cooled wide bore capillary column

Gas chromatographic equipment and procedures are described for automated splitless injection of pseudo-static headspace samples collected externally onto a sorbent trap. The GC microprocessor controls, in sequence, carrier gas backflushing of the sorbent trap for water removal, splitless thermal desorption into a cryogenically cooled wide bore (0.53 mm i. d.) capillary column and oven temperature programming. The method has been routinely applied for profiling the mid-to-high boiling compounds (bp 80–225°C) in the headspace of a variety of foods and beverages. Method criteria, advantages and limitations are discussed. FID and NPD chromatograms for brewed coffee and peanut butter volatiles are presented as typical examples.     

Effects of variation in modulator temperature during cryogenic modulation in comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography

Many modulation systems in comprehensive 2D GC (GC×GC) are based on cryogenic methods. High trapping temperatures in these systems can result in ineffective trapping of the more volatile compounds, whilst temperatures that are too low can prevent efficient remobilisation of some compounds. To better understand the trapping and release of compounds over a wide range of volatilities, we have investigated a number of different constant temperature modulator settings, and have also examined a constant temperature differential between the cryo‐trap and the chromatographic oven. These investigations have led us to modify the temperature regulation capabilities of the longitudinally modulated cryogenic system (LMCS). In contrast to the current system, where the user sets a constant temperature for the cooling chamber, the user now sets the temperature difference between the cryo‐trap and the chromatographic oven. In this configuration, the cooling chamber temperature increases during the chromatographic run, tracking the oven temperature ramp. This produces more efficient, volatility‐dependent modulation, and increases the range of volatile compounds that can be analysed under optimal trap‐and‐release conditions within a single analytical run. This system also reduces cryogenic fluid consumption.     

Membrane in tandem with a helical sorbent trap as continuous sampling technique of the polyvinyl chloride thermo-oxidative degradation products for their on-line gas chromatographic monitoring

A flat membrane in tandem with a helical sorbent trap has been used for continuous sampling of the volatile organic products generated in the thermal degradation process of the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in air, followed by on-line gas chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric identification. The membrane and trap tandem makes automatic collection, concentration, and injection of PVC volatile and semivolatile degradation products, and it is simple in terms of instrumentation and operation. The poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) membrane used in this study shows a low permeation for oxygenated derivatives and a high permeation for volatile aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbon, and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Consequently, the final chromatogram is significantly simplified. By heating the trap at fixed intervals of time, consecutive gas chromatograms are obtained in the monitoring process. The sensitivity of the method depends on the parameters that affect the time of trapping, and the permeation through the membrane.     

A Method of Determining the Efficiency of Air Sampling Traps to Collect and Release Volatile Organic Compounds

Abstract

A new method is described that facilitates determining the efficiency of air sampling traps to adsorb and thermally desorb volatile organic compounds. A known volume of a liquid standard of volatile organic compounds is vaporized into an air stream, a fraction of which is collected on an air sampling trap. This trap is subsequently thermally desorbed and analyzed using a GC/FID. The efficiency of the trap to adsorb and thermally desorb each compound tested is calculated.     

Atmospheric monitoring of volatile organic compounds using programmed temperature vaporization injection

A method has been developed for the automated determination of C₅ C₁₀ and C₂ C₆ volatile organic compounds in urban and rural air, using programmed temperature vaporization injection from a sorbent tube trap. A single activated charcoal sorbent tube was repeatedly used to collect samples of air with trapped VOCs being subsequently desorbed onto either a wide bore dimethyl polysiloxane (C₅ C₁₀) or porous layer open tubular (C₂ C₆) gas chromatography column without use of intermediate cryogenic refocussing. The high flow rates of helium used during the analysis resulted in the sample tube being cleaned and ready to reuse following the analytical separation. Examples of analysis of aromatic VOCs in urban air, and biogenic emissions in rural air, collected in a Sitka Spruce forest are presented. Using this method it is possible to quasi-continuously monitor concentrations of VOCs in locations where high sensitivity in situ analysis is required, but where cryogenic coolants may not be readily available or desirable.     

Construction and validation of an automated spray-and-trap gas chromatograph for the determination of volatile organic compounds in aqueous samples

An automated spray-and-trap (ST) chromatographic system was constructed for fast and efficient extraction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in aqueous samples with the capability to be deployed in the field for unattended continuous monitoring of surface or ground water. This system was built upon a commercial gas chromatograph with full automation capability using self-developed hardware and software. For sample analysis, fine droplets of the aqueous solution were generated in the extraction chamber by pressure expansion of a clean air stream through a spray nozzle. A portion of the VOCs distributed into the gas phase was retained by a multi-sorbent micro-trap kept at ambient temperature. Flash heating of the sorbent trap desorbed the enriched VOCs onto the gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detection (FID) for hydrocarbons or electron-capture detection (ECD) for halocarbons. In order to validate the performance of the ST method. it was compared with a more conventional method, i.e., a purge-and-trap (PT), by analyzing a serious of standard solutions containing benzene, toluene, ethylene. and o-, m-xylenes. Using a purge-and-trap method as a reference for complete extraction, the ST method showed less sensitivity. Extraction recoveries are in consistent with Henry's law constants. To test response time the ST-GC-ECD was periodically switched between tap and underground waters. Negligible carry-over of halogenated species and reproducibility better than 2% relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) can be achieved regardless of large concentration difference between the two sources, thus demonstrating applicability of the ST system for on-site monitoring.     

Performance and characteristics of a trace gas analyzer for the determination of volatile organic compounds in air

An instrument has been developed and tested for the continuous measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in air. The system consists of a gas chromatograph equipped with a dedicated sampling device that allows the sample to be transferred to a cooled microtrap via sampling loops (10, 100, 250 ml) or via a direct pump transfer to the trap. The microtrap is placed in the chromatographic oven just below a modified split-splitless injector, allowing direct liquid injection for calibration of the system; the injector is in communication with the sampling valve equipped with the loop and the sampling pump. The system allows 24-hour sampling and analysis of a large number of VOC (up to 25 individual hydrocarbons ranging from C2 C9) and also polar volatile organic compounds PVOC. Thanks to the particular trap geometry, a minimum consumption of liquid nitrogen (between 150 300 ml) is needed for each analytical run and no water managing system is normally required for humid air samples.     

Air analysis using tenax collection with jet-separator enrichment and ion trap mass spectrometric analysis

A dual adsorbent trap inlet system has been developed for an ion trap mass spectrometer (ITMS) to provide a rapid and sensitive system for screening of volatile organic compounds in air. The system employs three stages of concentration: preconcentration on an adsorbent Tenax trap, focusing in a cryogenic collection trap, and jet separator enrichment immediately prior to analysis by ITMS. Ten minute integrated samples are collected and analyzed immediately. The detection limit is 0. 9 parts-per-trillion by volume (pptrv) based on toluene as the analyte, and the reproducibility is 2% or better. Ambient air was analyzed for toluene on April 4, 1996 in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and concentrations ranged from 11–158 pptrv.     

Two-dimensional gas chromatography for determination of volatile compounds in ambient air

A two-dimensional gas chromatograph is described for the analysis of volatile compounds. The chromatographic system consists of two separate chromatographs linked together with an interface containing an intermediate trap. The trap is cooled with nitrogen (?150°C) and a cryogradient is created inside the trap enclosure. The sample is reinjected during controlled (chromatographic) conditions, using thermostated air. The sample components are eluted from the trap as narrow symmetrical peaks; the shape and width of the peaks eluted do not noticeably affect the subsequent chromatography. The enrichment of n-butane in the trap is quantitative in the range 10^?10 – 10^?5 g.     

Needle microextraction trap for on-site analysis of airborne volatile compounds at ultra-trace levels in gaseous samples

Different capillary needle trap (NT) configurations are studied and compared to evaluate the suitability of this methodology for screening in the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air samples at ultra-trace levels. Totally, 22 gauge needles with side holes give the best performance and results, resulting in good sampling flow reproducibility as well as fast and complete NT conditioning and cleaning. Two different types of sorbent are evaluated: a graphitized carbon (Carbopack X) and a polymeric sorbent (Tenax TA). Optimized experimental conditions were desorption in the GC injector at 300°C, no make-up gas to help the transport of the desorbed compounds to the GC column, 1 min splitless time for injection/desorption, and leaving the NT in the hot injector for about 20 min. Cross-contamination is avoided when samples containing high VOC levels (above likely breakthrough values) are evaluated. Neither carryover nor contamination is detected for storage times up to 48 h at 4°C. The method developed is applied for the analysis of indoor air, outdoor air and breath samples. The results obtained are equivalent to those obtained with other thermal desorption devices but have the advantage of using small sample volumes, being simpler, more economical and more robust than conventional methodologies used for VOC analysis in air samples.     

Automated analysis of volatile halogenated hydrocarbons in rainwater and ambient air by purge and trap capillary gas chromatography

An automated system employing a purge and trap technique with capillary gas chromatography and electron-capture detection (ECD) has been developed for the analysis of trace levels of volatile halogenated hydrocarbons and applied to the determination of the compounds in environmental samples such as rainwater and ambient air. The operation of the method, its application to environmental samples, and the results obtained are described. Use of the system ensured good chromatographic resolution and high accuracy, even with trace levels of the compounds.     

Validation of a laboratory-constructed automated gas chromatograph for the measurement of ozone precursors through comparison with a commercial analogy

An automated gas chromatographic (auto-GC) system aiming at performing unattended hourly measurement of ozone precursors was developed in the laboratory. To encompass volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of a wide range of volatility within each analysis, the system uses dual-traps and dual-columns to simultaneously analyze both low and high-boiling compounds with each injection. Since sorbents with sufficient retention of C2 compounds at room temperature, namely ethane, ethene, and ethyne are not yet available, cooling with a thermoelectrical device was built around the low-boiling trap to facilitate quantitative enrichment of C2 compounds. The effectiveness of using micro-trap with low dead volume plumbing was manifested in reducing peak width and increasing peak height for particularly the lower-boiling compounds. The increase in sensitivity allowed sufficient detector response with a small amount of air sample, e.g. 200 ml in our routine operation, which in term eliminate the need for remove water prior to sampling trapping. The performance and applicability of this laboratory-built auto-GC system was validated by comparison with a commercial analog, i.e. the ATD-400 system made by Perkin-Elmer, in the field sharing a common air intake. During more than 3 weeks of synchronized monitoring of ambient volatile organic compounds both systems showed highly consistent results on almost every monitored compound, clearly demonstrating the robustness of this self-built system.     

The Use of the Helium Ionization Detector for Gas Chromatographic Monitoring of Trace Atmospheric Components

Two different gas chromatographic detectors, the helium ionization detector (HID) and the more commonly used flame ionization detector (FID), were used in parallel to compare their responses to a number of organic compounds. Atmospherically important oxygenated species were analyzed, as well as hydrocarbons and chlorinated and sulfur containing organics. The HID exhibited the better response to all compounds investigated, most notably to formaldehyde and higher oxygenates. A gas chromatographic system was developed to trap and analyze atmospheric organic compounds with HID detection. This required careful choice of the adsorbent material and removal of inorganic components (namely nitrogen and oxygen) before analysis. Real air samples were then taken and analyzed qualitatively for a range of olefinic and aromatic compounds.     

Simultaneous Measurement of Hydrocarbons and Sulfur Compounds using Flame Ionization and Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detection for Sulfur Simulated Distillation

A gas chromatographic system for the simultaneous acquisition of hydrocarbon and sulfur chromatograms was developed. Detection of sulfur compounds is achieved using a sulfur chemiluminescence detector (SCD) mounted in series with a flame ionization detector (FID). A constant fraction of the effluent of the FID is transferred to the SCD by means of a fixed restrictor. Unlike previous versions of this approach, the FID is not used to generate the chemiluminescent sulfur species. Rather, the FID is operated under optimum conditions for hydrocarbon analysis and a furnace is used to generate the chemiluminescent sulfur species. The system permits dual acquisition of the hydrocarbon and sulfur signals in a single analysis with a single column, since the detectors are operated in a serial fashion. The application of sulfur simulated distillation using this approach was examined, since this requires simultaneous universal and sulfur selective detection. Precision of absolute response of both the FID and SCD was typically less than 2% RSD for a standard reference material.     

Continuous monitoring of thermooxidative degradation products of polystyrene by membrane extraction with sorbent interface and gas chromatography

A novel method for the continuous monitoring of thermooxidative degradation products of polystyrene by membrane extraction with sorbent interface (MESI) and gas chromatography (GC) is developed. The results are compared with solid-phase microextraction-GC, which can extract gases, vapors, and aerosols. The volatile and semivolatile degradation products are identified by mass spectrometry. The membrane used in the MESI-GC analysis shows a high permeation for volatile aromatic hydrocarbons; a low permeation for corresponding volatile aldehydes; and no permeation for less volatile alcohols, acids, and degradation products with a high molecular weight, thus reducing significantly the number of compounds detected from MESI-GC. Sensitivity of the method depends on the time of trapping, which is limited by the breakthrough of the trap. By heating the trap at fixed intervals of time, consecutive gas chromatograms are obtained.     

Two-dimensional high resolution GLC environmental analysis,preliminary results

Summary The current status of gas chromatographic procedures and instrumentation for the analysis of volatile environmental contaminants is discussed. Design features of gas chromatographic systems, capable of transferring portions of eluting compounds from one gas chromatographic column into another are also discussed. A prototype two-dimensional gas chromatograph has been built and tested. The system is composed of two separate gas chroamtographs, which are joined by a common heated interface. A combination of off-line valves and restrictors (Deans' switches) serves to change carrier gas flow directions. Compounds selected for cutting are transferred to the second gas chromatograph and held in an intermediate trap. The effluents from the second column are detected by FID/ECD, operated in parallel. Important parameters which effect sample transfer between the systems have been studied to serve as basis for a semiautomated instrument to be built. Some applications with synthetic mixtures are demonstrated.     

The Analysis of Sulfur Compounds by Solid Adsorbent Tenax GR Preconcentration and Gas Chromatography with Flameless Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detection

Gas chromatography using flameless sulfur chemiluminescence detection was applied to the analysis of sulfur compounds in air. A trap employing the solid adsorbent Tenax GR was used to enrich ambient levels of volatile sulfur compounds. The sulfur gases were then thermally released according to programmed temperature from the adsorbent trap and re-collected in a column cooled with liquid nitrogen. The sulfur compounds were revolatilized and directly transferred to the system of PLOT-column gas chromatograph/flameless sulfur chemiluminescence detector for analysis. The PTV injector has been used as a thermal resorption chamber for analysis of sulfur compounds. The sulfur gaseous compounds known to cause nuisance odors in the air from sewerage treatment works were determined.     

Gas chromatographic approach for the determination of carbonyl compounds in ambient air

In this study, an effort was made to apply gas chromatography (GC) with a flame ionization detector (FID) to the determination of gaseous carbonyls (without derivatization) at sub ppb level. A GC system interfaced with a multi-function thermal desorber system (TD) was hence tested for the collection and analysis of gaseous carbonyls. During this study, the calibration properties of five carbonyl compounds - acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, and valeraldehyde - were evaluated by varying the operation conditions of the TD system (i.e., sample transfer approaches and sorbent types of cold trap). The results were generally discernible between compounds (light and heavy carbonyls) and/or between selected concentration levels. Most interestingly, the GC detection properties of the lighter aldehydes (acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde) varied significantly, as they were sensitively affected by the types of cold trap combination. However, the heavier aldehydes - butyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, and valeraldehyde - maintained highly constant trends for GC calibration. According to this study, a GC-based quantification of aldehydes can be completed by an optimized setup of TD system.     

Development of a Dual Capillary Column GC Method for the Trace Determination of C2–C9 Hydrocarbons in Ambient Air

An analytical method based on a dual capillary gas chromatographic technique combining the advantages of GasPro PLOT and a non polar narrow bore WCOT column was developed for the analysis of air samples containing C2–C9 NMHCs. A refocusing step was not required due to the fast heating rate of the sample preconcentration trap and the resolving power of the PLOT column for C2 and C3 NMHCs. Water had to be removed from the air samples to avoid plugging of the columns if the initial GC oven temperature was below ambient temperature. To dry air samples, a scrubber and a cryogenic technique were employed. The interferences caused by carbon dioxide were reduced by purging the loaded sample preconcentration trap with helium. The dual column system was compared to a method employing a refocusing device and a single narrow bore WCOT column. Both systems provided a high degree of precision. However, the dual column approach was superior to the single column system due to better resolution of low molecular weight components.