Apparatus and method for fast sampling and measurement

A method of detecting one or more chemical components of a gas, vapor, or liquid sample removed from a product on a production line, comprising,

• a. providing an apparatus with at least one subsystem, each subsystem comprising components of:
• i. a sensor operatively configured to detect one or more chemical components of a gas, vapor, or liquid sample removed from a product on a production line;
• ii. a pump operatively configured to circulate the gas, vapor, or liquid sample over the sensor and throughout the subsystem;
• iii. an enclosed volume operatively configured as a reservoir for temporarily storing the gas, vapor, or liquid sample;
• iv. a plurality of valves under the directional operation of a computerized control system, the valves comprising:
• at least one sample inlet valve able to receive the gas, vapor, or liquid sample removed from a product on a production line;
• at least one purge inlet valve able to receive a reference sample comprising the one or more chemical components or an agent able to cleanse the subsystem;
• at least one exhaust valve configured to release the gas, vapor, or liquid sample or the reference sample, or portions thereof, from the apparatus;
• at least one valve configured to direct the flow of the gas, vapor, or liquid sample or the reference sample throughout the apparatus;
• v. the computerized control system comprising a computer central processing unit, a program memory, a variable memory and a plurality of input and output circuits for communicating with and controlling the operation of the apparatus components;
• and,
• vi. a tubing configured to circulate the sample throughout the apparatus components;
• b. conducting a sampling during a sampling interval comprising, the sample inlet valve directing the gas, vapor, or liquid sample via the tubing into the enclosed volume and releasing an excess amount of the sample through one of the exhaust valves;
• c. conducting a sample measurement during a measurement interval on the gas, vapor, or liquid sample comprising, pumping the gas, vapor, or liquid sample from the enclosed volume over the sensor, and electrically transmitting data from the sensor to the computerized control system;
• and,
• d. analyzing the data by the computerized control system or the sensor to determine if a desired chemical component or contaminant is present in the gas, vapor, or liquid sample.