Zero gravity purge and trap for monitoring volatile organic compounds
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsPhilip J. Birbara, Timothy A. Nalette, John W. Steele
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Abstract
Traditionally, volatile organic compounds are monitored using the purge and trap technique required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, this technique operates in two phases, liquid and gas, requiring gravity to effect the separation of the two phases. The present invention, which can be automated, incorporates a microporous hydrophobic bladder to permit zero gravity monitoring of volatile organic compounds in an aqueous solution.
Claims12
An apparatus for zero gravity purge and trap sample preparation for separating volatile organic compounds from an aqueous sample and for analyzing said volatile organic compounds, which comprises:
- a. a gas tight containment vessel containing a microporous hydrophobic bladder;
- b. a means for introducing the aqueous sample to said microporous hydrophobic bladder;
- c. a means for introducing an inert, volatile organic compound liberating gas purge to said aqueous sample;
- d. a means for separating volatile organic compounds;
- e. a means for introducing volatile organic compounds;
- and
- f. a means for analyzing;
- wherein said means for introducing an inert gas purge is in flow communication with said means for introducing the aqueous sample and said bladder, said means for introducing the inert gas purge liberating any volatile organic compounds from said aqueous sample;
- wherein said means for separating volatile organic compounds in flow communication with said bladder, said means for separating volatile organic compounds constructed so as to separate the volatile organic compounds from said inert gas;
- wherein said means for separating said volatile organic compounds in flow communication with said means for analyzing.
A process for analyzing volatile organic compounds in an aqueous sample which is zero gravity compatible, which comprises:
- a. placing the aqueous sample into a microporous hydrophobic bladder located within a containment vessel, wherein the microporous hydrophobic bladder has a membrane;
- b. purging the aqueous sample with an inert gas to remove volatile organic compounds from the aqueous sample;
- c. causing the volatile organic compounds and inert gas to permeate the microporous hydrophobic bladder membrane;
- d. separating the volatile organic compounds from the inert gas in a means for separating volatile organic compounds;
- and
- e. analyzing the volatile organic compounds wherein said process determines the quantity of volatile organic compounds present in said aqueous sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.