Portable / Field Testing - UK Focus Trace Level Detection of Selected VOCs in Air
As a high speed, portable GC-MS, the new Tridion™-9 from Quantitech (UK) has been developed for a wide variety of applications including the onsite analysis of trace levels of volatile organic compounds. Quantitech’s Dr Andrew Hobson says: “The ability to conduct trace level analysis in the field is a major advantage because it avoids the problems and costs associated with the collection and transport of gaseous samples for laboratory analysis.
“Typical applications for this technology include occupational safety, environmental monitoring, process monitoring and research.” SPME (Solid Phase Micro Extraction) provides a simple, low cost methodology to collect and introduce multiple samples to an analytical instrument.
To highlight the detection capabilities of the Tridion™-9 and SPME for a number of analytes at approximately 1 part per billion (ppb) v/v in air, a 10 litre Tedlar bag was spiked with a mixture of VOCs and then a dilution was made to generate a known vapour concentration for the analytes. Concentrations were corrected for atmospheric pressure and temperature using US EPA method 10-2.4. The analytes were extracted from the gas phase at ambient temperature for 60 min using a Custodion® polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fibre. Following sample extraction, the SPME syringe was inserted into the TRIDION™-9 injection port for analysis.
SPME syringe with a 65µm
The data from this experiment showed trace levels of contaminants that are common in sample bags; N,N-Dimethylacetamide and Phenol. However, the target compounds were automatically identified by deconvolution software in the presence of these large interfering compounds. Peaks that chromatographically co-elute are separately identified by target ions in their mass spectrum and peak shape.
This simple experiment demonstrates that the Custodion® For More Info, email: SPME syringe and Tridion™-9 GC-TMS are uniquely suited for rapid onsite analysis.
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On-Site Analysis of Contaminated Soils
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Still taking samples to the lab?
The Tridion™-9 portable GC-MS is able to conduct speciated VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) analysis of contaminated soil on-site and very quickly. This offers enormous advantages to anyone involved with the investigation or management of contaminated sites.
Delays between sampling and the availability of results can incur substantial problems. For example, contaminated land remediation contractors require quick results in order to determine whether treatment is required, and to decide which remediation method is appropriate and what level of treatment is necessary. Similarly, pollution investigation teams need fast access to analytical data in order to determine the level of risk.
Accredited laboratories are able to produce highly accurate analytical data, so the greatest problems often arise from sampling, storage, transport and chain of custody documentation issues. If samples are not supplied in the correct manner, laboratories will treat them as deviating (or non-conforming) which means that the results are unlikely to be acceptable for compliance monitoring reporting purposes.
VOC speciation is often required, especially for those compounds which are most harmful. In addition, the results of screening procedures may be used to guide sample collection activities and can help identify which sampling and/or extraction methods are most effective.
The ability of the Tridion™-9 to analyse multiple VOCs in soil was demonstrated by preparing a known sample spiked with 42 VOCs. This analysis was achieved without the need for laboratory equipment or solvents, and the results were obtained in less than 2 minutes.
The VOCs were extracted and concentrated from the soil using water, a salting-out technique, and a Custodion®
solid phase microextraction (SPME) syringe. In some cases, analytes co-eluted (e.g., 1,3-Dichloro-1- propene (E), Toluene, and 1,1,2-Trichloroethane compounds 15-17) but were positively identified by the target compound library using the automated on-board deconvolution algorithm.
This SPME/GC-MS sample analysis and screening method allows the fast accurate measurement of individual VOCs and their relative concentrations.
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www.envirotech-online.com IET September / October 2013
Quantitech Ltd - Monitoring your environment for over 30 years 01908 227722
sales@quantitech.co.uk www.quantitech.co.uk
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