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.

Abstract: A method for analyzing fluid by a multi-fluid modulation mode is characterized by subjecting a plurality of sample fluids (which may be different or a single sample fluid divided into a plurality of systems) to a fluid modulation by reference fluids at various frequencies, respectively. An analytical portion provided with only one sensor is simultaneously and continuously supplied with the respective sample fluids. An output signal from the sensor in the analytical portion is divided into signal components of the respective modulation frequencies for the respective sample fluids to rectify and level, whereby obtaining analyzed values about the respective sample fluids is achieved.

Abstract: A method for the determination of smoke concentration is disclosed which comprises heating a sample smoke containing a SOF (soluble organic fraction) component and a dry soot component to a temperature not lower than the boiling point of the SOF component and not higher than the flash point of the dry soot component during the presence of the action of an oxidation catalyst thereby allowing the dry soot component in the waste smoke to be determined by measurement with a smoke tester in a state not affected by the SOF component.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for measuring the concentration of gaseous or vaporous components of a gas mixture by using optically distinguishable reaction zones from gas test tubes which contain a substance reacting with the component to be detected. The change of the reaction zone is determined by means of direct observation and/or by means of an opto-electronic scanning device. This arrangement is improved in accordance with the invention in that the reacting substance is accommodated at least in one channel formed in a carrier. The channel has a cross section in the reaction zone which is less than 1 mm.sup.2.

Abstract: Total carbon and organic carbon monitoring of water is useful in determining water quality. Conventional TOC monitoring techniques are not zero gravity compatible. Ion chromatography allows for a single phase zero gravity compatible TOC monitoring technique. The ion chromatograph determines the amounts of organic acids and carbonate present in an aqueous sample before and after oxidation. The quantities determined by this technique can be related to the total carbon and the total organic carbon present in the aqueous sample.

Abstract: A flow reactor for simulating the interaction in the troposphere is set forth. A first reactant mixed with a carrier gas is delivered from a pump and flows through a duct having louvers therein. The louvers straighten out the flow, reduce turbulence and provide laminar flow discharge from the duct. A second reactant delivered from a source through a pump is input into the flowing stream, the second reactant being diffused through a plurality of small diffusion tubes to avoid disturbing the laminar flow. The commingled first and second reactants in the carrier gas are then directed along an elongate duct where the walls are spaced away from the flow of reactants to avoid wall interference, disturbance or turbulence arising from the walls. A probe connected with a measuring device can be inserted through various sampling ports in the second duct to complete measurements of the first and second reactants and the product of their reaction at selected XYZ locations relative to the flowing system.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon gas detection system utilizes a heat chamber or oven to maintain the system at a temperature that will support cracking of hydrocarbon gases. A gas chamber which is located inside the oven is used to contain the flow of gases under analysis and to pass these gases over a first temperature sensing device. A catalyzing material is associated with the first temperature sensing device, either by placing it very near the temperature sensing device or by coating the temperature sensing device with the catalyzing material. A second temperature sensing device is located inside the heat chamber or oven, either outside the gas chamber, or inside the gas chamber, but separated from the first temperature sensing device. The output of the first and second temperature sensing devices extend outside of the furnace to measurement and/or display instrumentation. With this system, the gas sample under analysis is passed through the gas chamber and brought into contact with the first temperature sensing device.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the level of ammonia in air comprises a conduit through which air is flowed as an airstream past two ammonia sensors that straddle an ammonia absorber. The apparatus also comprises a signal processing circuit for comparing signals generated by the two ammonia sensors with the difference representing the level of ammonia present in the air.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the analysis of flammable vapors in an industrial application, such as a solvent drying operation or the like. The apparatus continuously withdraws and returns a sample of gas from the process, separates the sample into a primary portion and a secondary test portion, tests the flammability of the test portion and recombines the test portion with the primary sample, which has been restricted to create a pressure differential enabling the flow of the test portion through the testing procedure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing a hydrocarbon sample are provided. The apparatus employs a highly polar column to separate the aromatics from non-aromatic components. The non-aromatic effluent from the highly polar column is passed to a 13X MSCOT column and a first less polar column. In a second configuration the highly polar column is backflushed into a second less polar column. The 13X MSCOT column separates isoparaffins, normal paraffins, and naphthenes by carbon number while the first less polar column individually separates the paraffins and naphthenes. The second less polar column is employed to separate individual aromatics.The method for analyzing a hydrocarbon sample separates the aromatics of the sample from the isoparaffins, normal paraffins, and naphthenes. The isoparaffins, normal paraffins, and naphthenes are then separated and detected by carbon number. Simultaneously, the individual non-aromatic components are separated and detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously measuring the hydrocarbon concentration in a gas flow includes at least one flame ionization detector with a combustion chamber housing electrodes between which a current flows due to ionization in the area of a burner flame. The combustion chamber of the flame ionization detector is connected to a suction pump in form of a venturi tube for applying an underpressure in the combustion chamber so as to allow especially sample gas but also burner gas and oxidizer to be drawn into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An improved oxygen analyzer device is disclosed which comprises a gas flow passage having inlet and exhaust ports, an oxygen concentration detector in proximity to the exhaust port and first and second parallel intermediate flow passages, one of which contains a purifier to remove oxygen from the gas flowing therethrough. The device is characterized by the use of metal, diaphram-type, three-way valves in the branch-off and junction points between the intermediate flow passages. The valves eliminate dead space in conventional devices that extends both the calibration and analysis time of such devices.

Abstract: A single gas analyzer is used for analyzing the concentration of two gaseous components such as hydrogen and chlorine in a blend by responding to the chlorine content in the gas blend there being a UV-type reactor for the formation of hydrochloric acid and the operation is such that the gas to be analyzed alternates between a path in which the reaction has taken place and one in which such a reaction has not taken place, for directly measuring the concentration of the gas with a higher concentration and indirectly the concentration of the gas with the lower concentration by determining the depletion the reaction has caused in the higher concentration gas.

Abstract: The measuring probe is equipped with a pellistor and renders possible directly determining in a trouble-free manner volatile constituents which are contained in a liquid medium to be investigated and which can be chemically converted with an accompanying heat effect. Heating devices are provided and, due to the prevention of condensate formation, greatly contribute to obtaining high measuring precision. The response time of the measuring probe can also be significantly reduced by heating a membrane which separates a measuring space containing the pellistor from the liquid medium to be investigated. The measuring probe can be used with advantage for monitoring microbiological processes, for example, in a fermenter.

Abstract: A gas-passage change-over apparatus, in which two gas lines are connected to one detector so that either of the two gas lines may be opened into the detector under the condition that the pressures at the ends of the two gas lines having different volumes are regulated by a pressure regulator. Switching valves are provided in each of the gas lines, and the connection of the flow from the gas lines to the detector is changed over by means of the two switching valves, such that switching valves are both closed for a predetermined period of time between changeovers.

Abstract: An assembly of nonreactive material receives a sample of material to be analyzed which is then placed in an environmentally controlled pyrolysis chamber. As the sample is selectively heated, an inert carrier gas is admitted to the chamber to wash the gases from the sample through trap and splitter assemblies where a portion of the sample gas is tapped off by a capillary column. The temperature of the gas in the capillary column is controlled as known makeup gases are added prior to passing through a detector, such as a flame ionization detector, to determine the components of the sample gas. The capillary tube can also be coated with an apolar liquid phase separation material.

Abstract: A system for the detection of trace components in a gas by a process involving the ionization of such trace components and intermittently adding to the gas, a reactant gas which converts some of the components to more readily ionizable forms.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide detector comprises a single monochromatic infrared source which is arranged to alternately direct light through two separate gas-containing test chambers. The first chamber is supplied with gas to be tested which has an unknown carbon monoxide content. A catalytic burning chamber is connected between the first and second chambers to receive gas from the first chamber, burn the carbon monoxide in the gas to carbon dioxide and supply the carbon monoxide free gas to the second chamber. A single infrared light detector is provided for receiving light as it comes alternately from the two chambers. The light from the two chambers is compared to determine the amount of carbon monoxide present in the gas of the first test chamber. Since the same background gas is provided in both chambers and only a single infrared source and detector are utilized, inaccuracies due to differences in background detection, infrared source intensity and infrared detector sensitivity are overcome.

Abstract: A pyrolysis apparatus useful in analyzing complex chemical substances including a pyrolysis chamber formed in a tubular member of fused quartz, the apparatus having a mixing chamber formed from a fused quartz material wherein pyrolysis components from a sample to be analyzed are mixed with hydrogen prior to being subjected to detection in an analyzer such as a flame ionization detector.

Abstract: A gas analyzer for simultaneously measuring a plurality of ingredients of a sample gas has a sample gas-introducing passage, a sample gas, flow-divider connected to the gas-introducing passage for dividing the sample gas into a plurality of gas flows in a desired flow-dividing ratio, a sample gas-diluter connected to the flow-divider for diluting the plurality of divided sample gas flows, and a plurality of gas concentration detectors, one for each gas flow, and connected in parallel with each other to said sample gas-diluter for receiving the respective diluted gas flows from the sample gas-diluter.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for the analysis of a sample containing a peroxycompound in the presence of hydrogen peroxide using known colorimetric techniques, characterized in that a sample is taken continuously, is continuously mixed with a colorimetric reagent and is divided into two streams, and continuous differential colorimetric analysis of the two streams is effected to provided a differential signal, further characterized in that one such stream is heated to such a temperature that the peroxycompound reacts with the colorimetric reagent prior to effecting the differential colorimetric analysis, whereby the differential signal is a measure of the concentration of such peroxycompound. The process and apparatus may be modified in that a third stream is taken not containing any colorimetric reagent, and two differential colorimetric analyses are effected, whereby a further signal is obtained which is a measure of the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: An analyzer for natural gas to determine the existence of and concentration of wanted and unwanted sulfur compounds and odorizing agents.

Abstract: The specification discloses an analyzer for determining the carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen content of an organic material. The analyzer includes a vertically oriented, U-shaped furnace including a combustion chamber containing a crucible in which the sample is combusted into constituent gases and a reagent chamber containing a reagent through which the constituent gases must pass. A lance extends into the combustion chamber to guide the sample into the crucible and to direct oxygen onto the sample combusting in the crucible. The analyzer further includes an equilibration vessel and means for conveying the constituent gases to the vessel and past CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O infrared cells to monitor the products of combustion. Means are provided for conveying the equilibrated gases past the infrared cells to obtain readings relating to carbon and hydrogen content. A doser doses an aliquot of the equilibrated gas into a nitrogen measurement apparatus to obtain a reading relating to nitrogen content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the total amount of organic carbon in a sample comprising the successive steps of: (a) heating the sample in an inert atmosphere to a first temperature capable of cracking at least a fraction of the organic material contained in the sample; (b) measuring the amount of organic carbon contained in at least a fraction of the effluent resulting from this cracking; (c) heating the sample in an oxidizing atmosphere to a second temperature at most equal to the first temperature; (d) measuring the amount of organic carbon in the effluent produced by the oxidation of the organic material, and (e) deriving from the above measurements the total organic carbon content of the sample. In order to perform the method of the invention, there is also provided means for performing each of the successive steps. In a further refinement, the method also includes steps for determining the mineral carbon content so that the total carbon content of the sample can be determined.

Abstract: An ammonia gas analyzer and a sulfuric acid converter utilized in the ammonia gas analyzer in which a sample gas is maintained at a relatively high temperature prior to entering the sulfuric acid converter to thereby prevent acidic sulfuric acid sulfates and/or ammonia sulfates from crystallizing and being deposited on the walls of the device. The ammonia gas analyzer includes gas sampling means, a gas measuring channel connected to the gas sampling means, a comparison gas channel connected parallel to the measuring gas channel with the measuring gas channel including an NH.sub.3 /NO converter for converting NH.sub.3 in a sample gas into NO and means for measuring a concentration of NH.sub.3 on the basis of variations of an amount of NO in the measuring gas channel with respect to that in the comparison gas channel.

Abstract: A method of measuring breath alcohol includes blowing breath in a stream through an inlet line, hence through an orifice, past a thermistor exposed to the stream, changing the temperature of the thermistor to a predetermined temperature in response to a predetermined volume of breath. The thermistor provides an output signal to trigger the measurement of alcohol in the breath by an alcohol detecting device. The method and apparatus permit the purging of the system to provide a base line reference for the alcohol detection device, then testing to ensure that the breath inlet line is clear of contamination, then running an alcohol standard sample through the alcohol detecting device, again purging the system, again testing to ensure that the breath inlet line is clear of contamination, recording the result as a blank test, and thereafter blowing breath through the inlet line to obtain a demonstratably accurate measurement of breath alcohol.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for detecting a constituent gas in a gas flow. Means is provided for removing the constituent gas from a sample flow and directing this sample flow together with a reference flow containing the constituent gas through an equilibrator means wherein contaminants can be removed before the sample gas and the reference gas are compared in detector means, for example, an electron capture detector. The apparatus and method are also applicable to the detection of a liquid in a flow thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating between alcohol and acetone in a breath sample and accurately measuring the alcohol level when acetone is present in the sample. The breath sample is measured with two different types of detectors and their outputs compared. One detector uses the principles of infrared (IR) absorption, the other detector is a semiconductor, commonly called a Taguci cell, or its equivalent. Automatic correction is provided for variations in sensitivity of the semiconductor.

Abstract: In a gas analysis method and apparatus especially suitable for controlling the inlet air to fuel ratio of a lean-running internal combustion engine, combustion effluent gas is divided into a plurality of part streams, there is added to a first part stream whichever of a combustible and a combustion-supporting constituent it is deficient in, combustion is effected and the temperature difference between the streams is measured. Preferably the temperature difference is measured by reference to the magnitude of the electric current required to heat an untreated part stream to the temperature of a part stream heated by combustion due to the added constituent. Preferably the temperature sensor used acts as a catalyst for the combustion and as a heating element, so that combustion takes place only in the vicinity thereof. Gas flow through the apparatus is preferably effected by a constant vacuum engine intake.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide detector and deactivating mechanism to monitor the level of carbon monoxide concentration within the passenger compartment of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, and to stop the operation of such internal combustion engine when the level of carbon monoxide concentration reaches a danger point for occupants of the passenger compartment. The detector includes plural detecting means to determine such dangerous concentration level, at least two of which detect carbon monoxide in the atmosphere by different methods and principles of operation. The detector is electrically connected to the vehicle's electrical system and when the critical pre-determined level of carbon monoxide is reached, it triggers a vacuum switch to interrupt the ignition circuit of the vehicle for a long enough time to insure that the internal combustion engine has been stopped.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determination of oxygen or hydrogen levels in a gas sample. In accordance with the method, a flowing stream of a gas sample containing a minor amount of diluent gas, oxygen and/or hydrogen is provided. A predetermined amount of a gaseous fuel is combined with the flowing stream of the gas sample to provide a reactive mixture. The reactive mixture is passed over a first sensing element and over a second sensing element. Prior to passing the flowing stream of the gas sample over the second sensing element, the stream is passed over a catalyst to cause reaction of oxygen and/or hydrogen with the fuel to produce water and heat. This causes a temperature and a moisture differential to exist between the first sensing element and the second sensing element. The difference in the moisture level or the temperature differential is converted to an electric signal. The electric signal produced is compared with a reference standard whereby the level of the oxygen and/or hydrogen is determined.

Abstract: A method of testing a body of fluid for the presence of at least one component in which a measuring means is exposed successively to two masses of fluid derived from the body of fluid, the two masses differing in respect of the concentration of an active component to which the measuring means is sensitive by an amount dependent upon the concentration in the body of fluid of the at least one component to be detected, the measuring means being exposed to at least one of the two masses of fluid for a time sufficient for the measuring means to reach a known proportion less than one hundred percent of its equilibrium state with the active component in the fluid to which the measuring means is exposed. The two masses may be derived from the same sample or from different samples of the body of fluid.

Abstract: The invention pertains to "wet chemistry" analytical devices for pollutant gases in air. Numerous improvements are provided including a thermo-electric heating/cooling device which uses the atmosphere as a heat sump. Critical flow means to maintain constant pressure throughout the system is also provided.

Abstract: A continuous sampling flow consisting of a plurality of gases is provided. The sampling of a plurality of gases according to the present invention comprises separately forming continuous gas streams of different gaseous phases, discharging said gas streams simultaneously and continuously into a common definite space in such a manner as to prevent them from mixing together, and sequentially positioning an inlet of open-sampling means successively in said discharged gas streams so that the gases in the individual gas streams are successively sampled and that a single stream formed by the sampled gases from the individual gas streams being in series one after another is taken out. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the amount of gas sampled from each of said discharged gas streams is such that it will not disturb the discharged gas streams, e.g.