A preconcentration system comprising: a first trap comprising a first tube, wherein the first tube has an inner diameter in the range of 0.76 mm to 2.54 mm (0.03 inch to 0.1 inch), a length between 2.5 cm and 30.5 cm (1 and 12 inches), and a volume between 20 and 50 microliters; a second heater; a second trap, connected in series with the first trap the second trap comprising at least a first capillary column and a second capillary column connected in series (132, 134, 136) coupled in series, the second trap situated inside the second heater, the second heater configured to: during a second time period after the first time period, heat the second trap to a desorption temperature; a chemical analyzer including a pressure controller; one or more cooling systems configured to: during a first time period prior to the second time period, cool the first trap and the second trap to a trapping temperature; and a flow controller configured to, during the first time period, control a flow and flow volume of carrier gas in a first direction that transfers one or more compounds of a chemical sample to the first trap and the second trap, including transferring the one or more compounds of the chemical sample from the first capillary column of the second trap to the second capillary column of the second trap, and transfers a portion of water of the chemical sample to the first trap without transferring the portion of water to the second trap, wherein: the pressure controller of the chemical analyzer is configured to, during the second time period, facilitate a flow of carrier gas in a second direction opposite the first direction that transfers the one or more compounds of the chemical sample from the second trap to the chemical analyzer, without transferring the portion of water from the first trap to the chemical analyzer. a first trap comprising a first tube, wherein the first tube has an inner diameter in the range of 0.76 mm to 2.54 mm (0.03 inch to 0.1 inch), a length between 2.5 cm and 30.5 cm (1 and 12 inches), and a volume between 20 and 50 microliters; a second heater; a second trap, connected in series with the first trap the second trap comprising at least a first capillary column and a second capillary column connected in series (132, 134, 136) coupled in series, the second trap situated inside the second heater, the second heater configured to: during a second time period after the first time period, heat the second trap to a desorption temperature; a chemical analyzer including a pressure controller; one or more cooling systems configured to: during a first time period prior to the second time period, cool the first trap and the second trap to a trapping temperature; and a flow controller configured to, during the first time period, control a flow and flow volume of carrier gas in a first direction that transfers one or more compounds of a chemical sample to the first trap and the second trap, including transferring the one or more compounds of the chemical sample from the first capillary column of the second trap to the second capillary column of the second trap, and transfers a portion of water of the chemical sample to the first trap without transferring the portion of water to the second trap, wherein: the pressure controller of the chemical analyzer is configured to, during the second time period, facilitate a flow of carrier gas in a second direction opposite the first direction that transfers the one or more compounds of the chemical sample from the second trap to the chemical analyzer, without transferring the portion of water from the first trap to the chemical analyzer.