Abstract: For detecting a component of a substance (of liquid or solid) on a front surface of a substrate, the substrate with the substance thereon is transferred into a vaporizing section, the substance is heated in the vaporizing section so that the component is vaporized from the substance in the vaporizing section, the component vaporized is fed from the substance in the vaporizing section to a detecting section, and the vaporized component is detected in the detecting section.

Abstract: A multi-purpose modular pyrolysis and thermal processing system (MPMPTPS) for pyrolyzing and/or vaporizing liquids and solids to create an evolved vapor suitable for introduction into a gas-chromatography and/or vapor detection system, thereby allowing detection, classification and/or identification characteristics of threat agents. The MPMPTPS system is capable of pyrolyzing and/or vaporizing liquid (in solution, suspension or colloidal form) and solid (in aerosol or powder form) form of biological and chemical threat agents in a manner that the evolved vapor may be introduced into Gas-Chromatography systems and/or vapor detection systems, without the use of any reagents and/or bottled gases.

Abstract: Process for determination of a water content material, in particular organic carbon content and/or nitrogen, in which an aqueous sample is evaporated and combusted in at least one heating vessel equipped with a heating facility and the combustion product is fed in a transport gas flow to a detector for determination of the concentration of a gaseous compound of the water content material, characterised in that calibration is performed with a predetermined volume of a calibration gas which contains a predetermined concentration of the element corresponding to the water content material, in particular carbon and/or nitrogen.

Abstract: A microfabricated plasma generator and a method of generating a plasma, the plasma generator comprising: a substrate chip; a chamber defined by the substrate chip, the chamber including an inlet port through which analyte is in use delivered, an outlet port and a plasma-generation region in which a plasma is in use generated; and first and second electrodes across which a voltage is in use applied to generate a plasma in the plasma-generation region.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for dynamic flash combustion reaction connected with gas chromatography for the elemental analysis of C H N S O in an automatic elemental analyzer. A combustion reactor is provided with a sampling device and an oxygen feed line. Controlled volumes of oxygen are admitted with the oxygen feed line into the combustion reactor depending on the sample for the complete combustion thereof. A pneumatic circuit is provided, in which the oxygen feed line converges and the pneumatic circuit creates a continuous flow of a carrier gas that is able to carry the oxygen to the reactor and the gases of the combustion through the reactor, then through a gas chromatographic analyzer, and after their separation, into a thermal conductivity detector. An electronic apparatus with a data processor is provided for controlling the process systems. The difference in the pressure of the gas upstream and downstream of a restrictor or restriction is determined.

Abstract: A method and system for performing low level sulfur UV fluorescence measures including an UV interference reduction system which removes or destroys interfering nitrogen oxides. The preferred nitrogen removal systems include introducing ozone into the system in sufficient quantities to destroy any produce NO and optionally a nitrogen sparge or similar nitrogen gas removal system.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the reduced inorganic sulfur content of a sample. The apparatus has a reaction chamber (12) and means (14) for introducing a reducing agent that can selectively convert the reduced inorganic sulfur of a sample in the reaction chamber (12) to hydrogen sulfide. The reducing agent can be chromous chloride. The apparatus also includes means for measuring the amount of hydrogen sulfide evolved by reaction of the reducing agent with the sample and a detector for detecting when evolution of the hydrogen sulfide has reduced or ceased. The term “reduced inorganic sulfur” refers to sulfur in a form that can undergo oxidation and includes mineral sulphides and elemental sulfur.

Abstract: A system for quickly and automatically extracting and analysing residual solvents is realised for operating directly in the premises where the packing materials are being manufactured, printed and/or laminated. The system provides for a single unit equipped with a display and a keyboard, and comprises an extraction (desorption) chamber (1), an analysis chamber with valves and separating columns, a detection system (17), and a data processing system (19). The extracting or desorption chamber comprises a desorption cell (1) for receiving a vial (36; 37) containing said sample, and means are provided to keep the inside of said cell (1) at a pressure higher that that of the surrounding environment until a new sample has been introduced into the cell, thus accomplishing a “washing” of cell for eliminating polluting solvents coming from the desorption of a preceding sample and/or solvents present in the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring release rates of contaminants in at least one of a fast release mode and a slow release mode in which a volatile liquid sample is introduced into a sealed transparent reactor vessel having at least one sorbent contained within the transparent reactor vessel and a separator for preventing direct contact between the at least one adsorbent and the at least one volatile liquid sample in the transparent reactor vessel, whereby substantially zero headspace is maintained within the transparent reactor vessel. At least one solvent soluble constituent present in the at least one volatile liquid sample is passed through the separator, resulting in sorption of the at least one solvent soluble constituent by the at least one sorbent. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the separator is a dialysis bag contained in the transparent reactor vessel into which the resin is placed.

Abstract: A thermal sensor has a substrate defining a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber has an inlet for conducting sample into the reaction chamber, a reaction surface and an orifice adjacent the reaction surface defining an outlet from the reaction chamber. The reaction surface is coated with a sorbant for binding agents in the sample. A heat transducer in the substrate and in proximity to the reaction surface is configured for heating the reaction surface.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of retentate chromatography for resolving analytes in a sample. The methods involve adsorbing the analytes to a substrate under a plurality of different selectivity conditions, and detecting the analytes retained on the substrate by desorption spectrometry. The methods are useful in biology and medicine, including clinical diagnostics and drug discovery.

Abstract: A more efficient method for combustion or oxidation of samples containing nitrogen, phosphorus and/or sulfur to their corresponding oxides is disclosed, where method uses multi-staged addition of an oxidizing agent to enhance oxidation and liberation of nitrogen, phosphorus and/or sulfur oxides for subsequent detection. The method of the present invention allows for the injection of larger samples or the introduction of a greater amount of sample per unit of time which results in a larger amount of analyte being delivered to the detector per unit of time, thereby improving detection limits and detection efficiency.

Abstract: A compact scanning apparatus has an infrared laser adapted to emit light. The light is delivered as a beam by an optical system to illuminate an interrogation area on the surface of an object being scanned. Such illumination has sufficient intensity and duration to cause selective desorption of molecules of the contraband substance, which are present on the surface, without substantially damaging the surface. A collection system collects at least a portion of the desorbed molecules. At least a portion of the collected molecules is thermally decomposed to form NO2 and transferred to a reaction cell containing an aqueous, alkaline, luminol-containing solution. The NO2 reacts with the luminol to produce light by chemiluminescence. A light detector registers the presence of this light as indicative of the detection of the contraband substance, and activates a signaling device to provide an audible or visible alarm.

Abstract: Disclosed are a closed heat-decomposing appliance comprising a heating section with one side closed and other side having common ground portion, screw portion or O-ring-mounted portion and a closed introducing section that allows to connect to this heating section and common ground portion, screw portion or O-ring via O-ring-mounted portion and has cock or valve as a mechanism for closing and introducing the absorbing liquid to absorb the testing components from outside after heat-decomposition, or has packing or septum to introduce the absorbing liquid with needle pipe as well, and a pretreatment method of sample using this appliance.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for rapid analysis of members of a combinatorial library. The apparatus includes a plurality of vessels for containing individual library members and a fluid handling system that apportions a test fluid about equally between each of the vessels. This allows for simultaneous screening of library members by detecting changes in test fluid following contact with individual library members. Fluid flow through each of the vessels is controlled using passive flow restrictors or active flow controllers to ensure that each library member contacts approximately the same amount of test fluid per unit time. The disclosed apparatus is especially useful for screening library members based on their ability to catalyze the conversion of fluid reactants.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting contaminant gases includes a converter, a detector, a primary channel for delivering a target gas sample through the converter to the detector, and at least two scrubbing channels for delivering a reference gas sample through the converter to the detector. Each of the scrubbing channels includes a scrubber for removing basic nitrogen compounds from the reference gas sample, while the primary channel preferably transmits the target gas sample without scrubbing. The converter converts gaseous nitrogen compounds in the target gas sample to an indicator gas, such as nitric oxide (NO), and a control system directs the flow of a gas sample among the primary channel and the scrubbing channels. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the basic-nitrogen-compound concentration can be measured by comparing the concentration of the indicator gas detected in the reference sample with the detected indicator-gas concentration in the target sample.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for analyzing elements contained in a sample in very slight amounts, such as C, S, O, N, H and the like in materials, such as steel and ceramics. An element analyzer can gasify the sample elements in an appropriate gas, such as oxygen gas in a high-frequency heating furnace or an electric resistant furnace. Resulting gas can be introduced into a mass spectrometer to permit a quantitative analysis of the sample elements. A metal sample can be levitated and heated and melted with induction current for producing the resultant gas for introduction to a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Apparatus for digesting a liquid sample has sealed housing (18) containing a source (20) of ultra violet radiation, such as a medium pressure mercury discharge lamp, for irradiating a liquid sample being conveyed through a conduit (24) also in the housing (18). The source (20) emits ultra violet radiation, in a first frequency band, for generating ozone in the sample and in a second, lower frequency band for breaking chemical bands, and creating free radicals in the sample. The apparatus may include an analyser, such as an ion chromatograph (12) connected to the sample digester.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfabricated device for use in measuring the physical properties of compounds, where the properties measured using such devices are those which involve partitioning of the compound between two phases, measuring partition coefficients, distribution coefficients, acid-base dissociation constants, solubility and vapour pressure. The device comprises a microfabricated conduit, in which two fluids flow creating at least two phases between which the compound may partition, and a detector for measuring the amount of compound in each or both fluids.

Abstract: In an analyzer, an oxidation reagent is supplied to an oxidation reaction portion, and after organic materials contained in the oxidation reagent are removed by oxidation decomposition, a sample is provided into the oxidation reaction portion to react with the oxidation reagent. An infrared gas analyzing portion starts detecting a peak for analyzing. Thus, even if a concentration of the component to be measured in the sample is low, the concentration can be measured accurately without being disturbed by a concentration of the impurities in the oxidation reagent.

Abstract: Total organic carbon in an aqueous or gaseous sample is measured by admitting the sample and an oxidant gas to a cell transparent to plasma, establishing a relatively low energy plasma in the cell, and measuring the CO2 thus produced using FTIR, NDIR, or conductivity-based techniques.

Abstract: An analyzer for moisture or ash testing where a robotic arm retrieves a crucible and sample from a conveyor, inserts it into a small opening in the upper surface of the furnace chamber and deposits it in an aperture on a carousel located within the furnace chamber. The carousel in the furnace chamber manipulates the crucibles within the furnace chamber. The opening in the upper surface of the furnace chamber is positioned such that when the carousel is ready for loading or unloading, an aperture in the carousel for holding the crucibles is aligned with the opening. At appropriate points during the testing cycle, individual crucibles are automatically deposited on a weighing platform connected to an internal balance through vertical motion of the carousel. Once final weighing in the test cycle is performed, the crucible is removed through the opening on the upper surface of the furnace chamber by the same robot arm which placed it in the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the concentration of at least one gaseous component and/or vaporous component of a gaseous mixture in which a controlled sensor flame is introduced into the gaseous mixture and at least one narrow spectral band in the controlled sensor flame is optically measured. The concentration of the gaseous component using a result obtained from the optical measuring of the at least one narrow spectral band is then calculated. The method of this invention is particularly suitable for substantially real-time control of combustion processes.

Abstract: The invention features methods and systems for detecting the presence of an energetic material in a sample in which the presence of the energetic material is unknown. The method includes the steps of: heating the sample; measuring heat flow between the sample and its surrounding environment, e.g., by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); and analyzing the measured heat flow between the sample and its surrounding environment. An exothermal peak in the measured heat flow indicates the presence of the energetic material in the sample. The system includes a thermal measuring apparatus for performing the heating and measuring steps, and an analyzer for detecting the presence of the energetic material based on the measured heat flow. The invention also features methods and systems for identifying contraband materials (e.g., explosives and drugs) by measuring the thermogram (e.g., by DSC) of a sample to be identified and comparing it to reference thermograms for known contraband materials.

Abstract: A novel Ultra-trace Automatic Mercury Species Analyzer (AMSA) is a semi-automatic or automatic on-line dual-channel detection device. The principle of the methodology is on-line coupling of analytical stages (or set-ups) with cold vapor atomic detector using flow injection analysis technique. This analyzer can be fully automatic for fast and accurate monitoring Hg species of natural environmental samples in ultra-trace levels. Furthermore, the AMSA is well suitably used in laboratory or other field stations (e.g., shipboard uses etc.) It provides ease of operation, fast analysis, high analytical performance, and excellent data quality. There is no risk of contamination with ambient air and no need of ultra-clean class-100 room to obtain the high quality data on ultra-trace mercury species analyses (e.g., Hg0, Hg2+, monomethyl Hg, dimethyl Hg etc.) in natural environmental samples (e.g., air, water, sediment, soil, vegetation, bio-tissues and other sample types).

Abstract: For analysis of total nitrogen, sulfur and/or chlorine, a solid, liquid or gas sample is combusted with oxygen in a high-temperature furnace to form a combustion gas which is then dried and passed over a heated graphite catalyst and thereafter passed through an electrochemical detector for each element to be measured, the detectors being arranged either in parallel or in series with either arrangement providing an individual determination of the content of the element in the sample. A control system provides a user interface for manipulating and controlling the introduction of the sample to the furnace and the operation of the furnace, dryer and electrochemical detector, and the system stores, records and displays data.

Abstract: A method for measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of a material produced in a process system is disclosed. The method involves an enclosed bag into which a sample of material is placed, after which the bag is stored at a predetermined temperature such that the contents reach equilibrium. The storage temperature is the mean exit temperature of the effluent from the process system for which a VOC measurement is required. Samples from the headspace in the bag are inputted into a flame ionization detector to provide the VOC level. A kit for using the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for qualifying products containing volatile substances forming an analyte. The devices includes a measuring apparatus (2) provided with an enclosure (21a) and an electronic analyzing circuit (21b) for defining said analyte characteristics, a pumping system (30) for producing a vacuum inside said enclosure, a sampling chamber (16) wherein the analyte is introduced and a capillary (22) for connecting said chamber (16) to said enclosure (21a).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the analysis of a gaseous component or of a component that can be transformed into gaseous form (23) of a sample (5) which provides that the sample (5) is filled into a sample receptacle (2) through a receptacle opening (4), and an analysis receptacle (7), which was previously supplied with a tracer reagent, is then by way of its receptacle opening (4) connected with the receptacle opening (4) of sample receptacle (2) via an adapter (10), after which step the component (23) is expelled from the sample receptacle (2) and into the analysis receptacle (7) wherein the analysis receptacle (7) is connected with the outside atmosphere in such a manner that a pressure compensation can take place. The invention further relates to a test kit, in particular, a test kit for implementing the method.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for the determination of the content of organic carbon (TOC) of liquids, in particular ultra-pure water, wherein a liquid sample under investigation is located in a reaction chamber and carbon present in the liquid is statically oxidized to mainly carbon dioxide. After oxidation of the carbon, the sample quantity is transferred to a measuring cell, connected to the reaction chamber by liquid entering the reaction chamber from the outside the reaction chamber, where (i.e. in the measuring cell) the carbon concentration of the sample, which is proportional to the carbon content, is dynamically registered as the sample flows through the measuring cell.

Abstract: A compact scanning apparatus has an infrared laser adapted to emit light. The light is delivered as a beam by an optical system to illuminate an interrogation area on the surface of an object being scanned. Such illumination has sufficient intensity and duration to cause selective desorption of molecules of the contraband substance, which are present on the surface, without substantially damaging the surface. A collection system collects at least a portion of the desorbed molecules. At least a portion of the collected molecules is thermally decomposed to form NO2 and transferred to a reaction cell containing an aqueous, alkaline, luminol-containing solution. The NO2 reacts with the luminol to produce light by chemiluminescence. A light detector registers the presence of this light as indicative of the detection of the contraband substance, and activates a signaling device to provide an audible or visible alarm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for determining the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in a gas mixture such as air. The gas sample containing NO is mixed with a gas containing ozone (O3), and the change in the ozone concentration is measured after a sufficient time is allowed for the reaction between NO and O3 to take place and destroy a measurable quantity of O3. In the preferred embodiment, the concentration of ozone is measured using the technique of UV absorption. In this case, the invention has the advantage over other instruments for measuring NO of having absolute calibration based on the known extinction coefficient for ozone at ultraviolet wavelengths. The invention discloses both static and dynamic flow systems, and the NO concentration measurements may be made over a wide pressure range.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the amount of gas in a solid sample such as a contained oxygen analyzing apparatus and method utilizing a preliminary reducing furnace which can be connected to an analyzing furnace by a transfer unit. A sample such as steel can be reduced in the preliminary reducing furnace and transferred to the analyzing furnace, for example, by a magnetic force, a gripping unit or a transporting sample body holder. A controller can control the application of heat and the mixing of a metal flux to provide discharge gas to an analyzer.

Abstract: Methods and kits that use nucleotide analogs to confer increased accuracy and improved resolution in the analysis and sequencing of oligonucleotide mixtures are provided.

Abstract: Elemental analysis of a sample is carried out in an oxygen atmosphere in a combustion reactor and the volume of oxygen required for analysis is determined by means of the algorithm Qo=&Dgr;(Qc)  [1] where Qo is the volume of oxygen required and Qc is the weight of the sample to be analyzed and &Dgr;=Qo1/Qc1 where Qo1 is the volume of oxygen necessary for the combustion of a predetermined quantity Qc1 of the sample to be analyzed, the volume of oxygen Qo is then fed in pulsed mode to the combustion reactor, by means of a flow detector.

Abstract: An analytical method for monitoring the desorption of a sorbate from a particulate sample, the method comprising the steps of: introducing the particulate sample into a control container, mixing the sample; passing a carrier gas through the container such that it permeates the sample; repeatedly measuring the concentration of the sorbate in the outlet gas as it leaves the container; and analysing the readings from the measuring step.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for analyzing elements contained in a sample in very slight amounts, such as C, S, O, N, H and the like in materials, such as steel and ceramics. An element analyzer can gasify the sample elements in an appropriate gas, such as oxygen gas in a high-frequency heating furnace or an electric resistant furnace. Resulting gas can be introduced into a mass spectrometer to permit a quantitative analysis of the sample elements. A metal sample can be levitated and heated and melted with induction current for producing the resultant gas for introduction to a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An analyzer compensates for gas flow perturbations by providing a makeup flow of carrier gas to maintain the pressure and/or flow rate of analyte and inert gas through a detector constant such that a accurate determination of a low concentration of an analyte in the presence of a high concentration of a second analyte can be accurately determined. In one embodiment, a carrier gas is introduced through a valve responsive to the detected pressure in the gas flow stream between a scrubber and a subsequent detector for maintaining the pressure constant during an analysis. In another embodiment of the invention, a flow transducer is positioned in the gas flow path between the scrubber and detector and coupled to a flow control valve coupled to introduce carrier gas as a function of detected gas flow such that the flow rate of gas into the detector is maintained constant.

Abstract: The determination of base (nucleotide) composition in DNA by mass spectrometry is described. Accurate and efficient analyses of the enormous pool of DNA sequences are required for; (a) validation of DNA sequences; (b) comparison of a parent (known) sequence with a related (unknown) sequence, and (c) characterization of sequence polymorphisms in various genes especially those associated with genetically inherited human diseases. The combination of stable isotope-labeling of PCR products of target sequences with analysis of the mass shifts by mass spectrometry (MS) is shown to provide such analyses, since the mass-shift due to the labeling of a single type of nucleotide (i.e., A, T, G, or C) identifies the number of that type of nucleotide in a given DNA fragment. Accurate determinations of nucleotide compositions of DNA fragments have been achieved with an accuracy of ±0.03% with respect to their known sequences. The method has also been applied to identify a known single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).

Abstract: A method of assaying the antioxidant capacity of a sample, the method including preparing an extraction solution including a solubility enhancing compound, adding the sample to the extraction solution, extracting the antioxidants present in the sample, adding a fluorescent probe to the extract, adding a free radical generator to the extract, detecting the fluorescence intensity decay of the probe in the presence of the sample over time, and calculating the antioxidant capacity of the sample based on the fluorescence intensity decay of the probe in the presence of the sample.

Abstract: In order to determine the total sulfur content of a sample (1), the sample is uniformly combusted with a flame (8). The combustion product sulfur dioxide is fed to a gas chromatograph (15) in which it is separated from other combustion products (9) and is then fed to a detector (17), which is situated downstream and which is provided for determining sulfur dioxide concentration. The combustion of the sample (1) is preferably effected in a flame ionization detector (19), with whose measurement signal (21) the detector signal (20) generated by the detector (17) is freed from signal contents based on non-uniformities of the combustion process.

Abstract: There is provided a gas concentration-detecting device for detecting the concentration of gas in oil, which is capable of detecting the concentration of gas in oil with accuracy, irrespective of the temperature of oil, and even when oil is degraded. The gas concentration-detecting device includes two electrodes for being arranged in the oil such that the electrodes are opposed to each other and spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, and a capacitance amplifier for outputting a signal indicative of a concentration of gas in oil, the signal being dependent on a capacitance between the electrodes. The predetermined distance between the electrodes is set to a value equal to or larger than a predetermined value at which an amount of drift of the signal output from the capacitance amplifier dependent on variation in a temperature of the oil starts to gradually decrease as the distance between the electrodes is increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for detecting the catalytic activity of solid materials, in which process one or more starting materials are brought to reaction in the presence of the solid materials, characterized in that the solid materials are present, spatially separated from one another, on a support, in that the starting materials are brought into contact with the solid materials and in that the resultant product or products are analyzed by a mass spectrometer, with resolution of location regarding the solid materials on the support. The advantages of the process according to the invention are essentially that a rapid serial or parallel detection of the catalytic activity of solid materials under identical conditions is now possible.

Abstract: Method and apparatus suited to convenient field use for heating a porous metallic substrate swiped on the surface of an article possibly bearing residue of contraband or other target chemical substances. The preferred embodiment of the device includes means for holding the swiped substrate between electrodes bearing opposite electrical charges, thereby completing an electrical circuit in which current can flow through the porous metallic substrate. Resistance causes the substrate to heat, thus driving adherent target chemicals, if present, into a space from which they are carried via gas flow into a detector such as a portable IMS for analysis.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for dynamic flash combustion reaction connected with gas chromatography for the elemental analysis of C H N S O in an automatic elemental analyzer. A combustion reactor is provided with a sampling device and an oxygen feed line. Controlled volumes of oxygen are admitted with the oxygen feed line into the combustion reactor depending on the sample for the complete combustion thereof. A pneumatic circuit is provided, in which the oxygen feed line converges and the pneumatic circuit creates a continuous flow of a carrier gas that is able to carry the oxygen to the reactor and the gases of the combustion through the reactor, then through a gas chromatographic analyzer, and after their separation, into a thermal conductivity detector. An electronic apparatus with a data processor is provided for controlling the process systems. The difference in the pressure of the gas upstream and downstream of a restrictor or restriction is determined.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide sensor including a closed chamber having as a wall substantially water-tight, carbon dioxide-permeable membrane and containing two electrodes. The chamber contains a film of de-ionized water contacting the membrane and both of the electrodes. The change in conductance of the water due to absorption of carbon dioxide is measured.

Abstract: An improved on-stream analyzer for monitoring sulfur or nitrogen content of liquid petroleum or beverage products is described. It consists of the following main components: a sample injector for injecting predetermined fixed volumes of the liquid into a thermal oxidizer (pyrolyzer) at a preset, controlled rate, a thermal oxidizer in which an inert carrier gas and oxygen are introduced at measured and preset, controlled rates to thermally oxidize the sample at a temperature of about 1050° C., sample conditioner to control the relative humidity and temperature of the resulting gas mixture, an electrochemical cell sensitive to sulfur dioxide (SO2) or NO to measure the concentration of SO2 or NO in the gas mixture, and a programmable logic controller (PLC) to calculate the sulfur content of the original sample and manage the analyzer.

Abstract: In an analyzer, an oxidation reagent is supplied to an oxidation reaction portion, and after organic materials contained in the oxidation reagent are removed by oxidation decomposition, a sample is provided into the oxidation reaction portion to react with the oxidation reagent. An infrared gas analyzing portion starts detecting a peak for analyzing. Thus, even if a concentration of the component to be measured in the sample is low, the concentration can be measured accurately without being disturbed by a concentration of the impurities in the oxidation reagent.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to the measurement of nitrate levels in a sample of gas, for example, air, exhaust, or other sources of gas. Moreover, the systems and methods described herein are capable of operating using short sample collection periods, permitting rapid data collection and finely time-resolved nitrate monitoring over a span of time. Additionally, ambient nitrate can effectively be distinguished from other airborne particles, such as sulfate and carbon.

Abstract: A self-adjusting, free-flowing pneumatic nebulizer interface is described for coupling fluid phase separation apparatus such as capillary electrophoresis apparatus or fluid-phase analyte delivery apparatus such as flow-injection analysis apparatus to gas phase, post-separation detection apparatus such as mass spectrometers, chemiluminescence detectors, or other similar gas phase detection apparatus. The interface combines the analytes with only the needed amount of sheath fluid to produce a combined flow whose magnitude automatically matches the self-aspiration rate of the pneumatic nebulizer interface, and which is combined with a gas flow to produce an aerosol. The resulting aerosol can then be either deposited directly on a surface, forwarded directly to a detection system or forwarded first to a conversion apparatus such as an oxidizer and the oxidized sample components are then forwarded to a detector.