Dual outlet pyrolyzer for biological agent detection system

A biological agent detection system comprising:

• a pyrolyzer including a tube for collecting and processing a particle sample;
• a mass spectrometer for identifying biological agents in the particle sample;
• an inlet in fluid communication with the tube for drawing air containing the particle sample into the pyrolyzer;
• a first outlet in fluid communication with an exhaust to exhaust the air from the pyrolyzer to atmosphere;
• a second outlet in fluid communication with the mass spectrometer, wherein gas molecules eluted from the particle sample collected and processed in the tube are drawn into the mass spectrometer through the second outlet for identification;
• a reagent source containing a methylating reagent, wherein the methylating agent is added to the particle sample collected in the tube to derivatize the particle sample;
• a heater to pyrolyze the particle sample that is derivatized;
• a first pump for drawing the air into the pyrolyzer through the inlet and out of the pyrolyzer through the first outlet;
• and
• a second pump for drawing the gas molecules from the tube into the mass spectrometer through the second outlet.

A method for detecting a biological agent, the method comprising the steps of:

• drawing air into a pyrolyzer through an inlet in communication with a tube of the pyrolyzer;
• exhausting the air through a first outlet of the pyrolyzer in fluid communication with an exhaust to atmosphere;
• collecting a particle sample in the tube;
• adding a methylating reagent to the particle sample in the tube to derivatize the particle sample in the tube;
• pyrolyzing the particle sample to form gas molecules;
• drawing the gas molecules through a second outlet in fluid communication and into a mass spectrometer;
• and
• identifying any biological agents in the particle sample.