Patent ID: 6477905
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A device for the continuous measurement of Non-Methane Organic Carbons (NMOCs) and/or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in a fluid sample stream without chromatographic separation, comprising:a sampling and concentration system connecting said sample stream to a detector for said NMOCs and VOCs; said sampling and concentration system comprising one or more multi-port valve means to fluidly connecting said sample stream to an adsorbent trap means; said adsorbent trap means being capable of rapid heating and cooling, and containing at least one adsorbent composition which adsorbs the NMOCs and/or VOCs in said sample stream; said one or more multi-port valve means fluidly connected to said trap means which allows the venting out of CO, CO2, O2, N2, SO2, NO2, H2O and other gases in said sample stream so as to concentrate said NMOCs and/or said VOCs in said trap means; desorption means associated with said adsorbent trap means whereby said adsorbed NMOCs and/or VOCs are rapidly desorbed therefrom and injected into said detector; fluid carrier means connecting said sample stream to said adsorbent trap means, and said detector; means whereby the one or more multi-port valves operate simultaneously so as to pass said carrier means through the absorbent trap into said detector so as to carry said desorbed NMOCs and/or VOCs from said adsorbent trap means into said detector as a concentrated pulse; wherein said detector is selected from the group consisting of a flame ionization detector, a mass spectrometer, an infrared spectrophotometer, and other suitable detectors or sensors for said NMOCs and VOCs.