Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system apparatus and method for on site analysis and identification of the last contents of a container such as tank cars and tank trucks. A sample of gas from the container containing a vaporous sample compound to be analyzed is passed to a gas chromatograph for analyzing the vaporous compound of interest and the data from the gas chromatograph is automatically transferred to a computer controller and data processor, and the data collected by the computer is compared to known standards of a previously identified known vaporous products.

Abstract: A chromatography sample transfer process is disclosed in which fractions on a TLC plate are automatically moved by capillary action from the plate to separate receptacles adapted to retain material for diffuse reflectance measurement. The developed TLC plate is so mounted that its fractions are horizontally spaced, and its lower edge is in a solvent. As the solvent moves upwardly due to capillarity, it dissolves the fraction samples, and transfers them to a plurality of horizontally spaced wicks. The wicks, which are preferably made of sintered stainless steel powder, carry their solvent/sample material upwardly to separate receptacles, each containing transparent powder which retains the sample during diffuse reflectance measurement. The solvent is removed from the receptacles by horizontal airflow (air knife) without requiring significant heating.

Abstract: A method of assaying ketones in ambient air comprising contacting the air with beaded activated carbon followed by desorption with a solvent and analysis of the solvent solution for ketone content has been developed which provided superior results over prior art adsorbents, particularly when the sampling operation is conducted in the presence of humid air.

Abstract: A disposable, self-contained, light weight integral device for detecting, by means of activating an indicator, the presence of a predetermined substance in a sample fluid which is introduced into a test chamber. The device has a deformable housing which forms a test chamber for interacting the indicator material with the sample fluid, wherein a rupturable vessel of reagent is contained adjacent the test chamber, which vessel can be ruptured by application of a predetermined pressure through the walls of the deformable housing. Upon rupturing the vessel, the contents thereof are exposed to the sample fluid introduced into the chamber. In the presence of the predetermined substance in the sample fluid, the indicator undergoes the indicated change. The device can contain more than one vessel and a receptacle. One or more of the vessels can contain more than one indicator substance.

Abstract: A solid detecting reagent for gaseous hydrides and a gaseous hydride detecting method are disclosed, said reagent comprising a basic copper carbonate as a color changing component and undergoing color change upon contact with at least one gaseous hydride selected from the group consisting of arsine, phosphine, diborane, hydrogen selenide, germane, monosilane, disilane and dichlorosilane. The reagent is applicable to all of these gaseous hydrides and, upon contact therewith, rapidly changes from an initial blue color to a black color, said black color standing for a long period of time.

Abstract: A sorption/desorption gas analysis apparatus includes a sorption/desorption bed having a thin layer of sorption material fixed to an outside surface of a first and a second adjacent tapered bed element arranged in a mutually mating configuration. The bed elements are further arranged to be selectively moved with respect to each other to produce a first flow volume therebetween past the sorptive material during a sorption mode of operation and a second substantially smaller flow volume past the sorptive material during a desorption mode of operation. The sorption/desorption bed is used in the gas analysis apparatus by first exposing the sorption bed to an impinging flow of a sample gas containing the constituent of interest which is sorbed by the sorptive material in the sorption mode of operation.

Abstract: A non-destructive on-site method of inspection, and testing of the insulating performance and reconditioning of a concentric insulating tubular conduit member is disclosed. The insulating tubular conduit members comprise concentric walled members with an intermediate annular insulating cavity defined therebetween. This non-destructive method of testing and inspection is based on a determination of the presence of an unacceptable level of moisture in the annular insulating cavity. Visual, auditory, electrical, and radioactive indicating means can be employed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Abstract: Reactive gases like, for example reducing gases, specifically carbon monoxide, are detected in a gas mixture, particularly in air, with extremely high sensitivity and with high precision using a gas detector in which the attenuation of the intensity of an infrared radiation beam by a catalyst layer is utilized. Such catalyst layer contains at least one transition metal selected from at least one of the groups I, VII, and VIII of the Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements. Preferably, chemical elements are used having an atomic weight in the range of about 100 to about 205. The detection of carbon monoxide is particularly sensitive using a catalyst layer which substantially contains a metal capable of forming a carboncarbonyl compound with carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A method of measuring a content of a compound such as gaseous sulfur dioxide in air comprising adsorbing the compound on a solid adsorbent, including a carrier consisting of a solid buffer of a partially regenerated ion exchanger.In addition the solid adsorbent may comprise a stabilizer which is either a stabilizer for the compound intended to be adsorbed on the adsorbent or a stabilizer for a reaction product thereof formed in the adsorption.

Abstract: Method and apparatus which can provide continuous monitoring of the partial pressure of one or more gases in an atmosphere or feed stream, over an indefinite period of time and at a minimal cost. The method and apparatus of the present invention operates by monitoring the change in frequency of a piezoelectric element which has been coated with a film formed from manganese tertiary phosphine polymer complex. As the polymer absorbs or releases gas the frequency of the piezoelectric device will be altered.

Abstract: A transparent glass detection tube contains a bed of silica gel which has been impregnated with sulfuric acid. One end of the tube is open to the outside air while the other end is connected to a sampling pump. Outside air is drawn through the tube and aldehydes and moisture in the air are separated and adsorbed on sequential lengthwise portions of the gel bed. At the end of the sampling period, xylene vapors are drawn through the silica gel forming a brownish tint stain on that portion of the bed that has adsorbed aldehydes. The length of the stain is a measure of the amount of aldehydes present in the air sample, i.e. the dosage exposure to aldehydes during the sampling period.

Abstract: There are disclosed an improved CO indicating composition consisting essentially of fumed silica having dispersed thereon dry residues of impregnation with a solution of palladium sulfate, sulfuric acid and ammonium molybdate, a CO indicator comprising a strip of a composite of expanded, amorphous-locked tetrafluoroethylene polymer and fumed silica having dried residues of impregnation with the aforesaid solution, an improved detector containing said indicating composition or said indicator, and improved process for detecting CO comprising exposing pre-dried air to the indicating composition or said indicator to effect a color change, extracting colored material with distilled water or an aqueous buffer solution, and measuring the depth of color in the resulting extract.

Abstract: A vapor detection tube is disclosed, the tube holding an adsorbent material for adsorbing vapors, the tube having at least one end with a constriction near the end and the diameter at the far end of the tube being of about the same diameter as the main portion of the tube. There is disclosed plastic sealing caps for sealing the ends of the tube for safe and contamination free handling and shipping, the tube being so constructed and arranged that it can be easily broken at the constriction in a clean and uniform manner to provide an open tube for sampling and the tube being easily sealed by sealing members after the sampling is finished and before analysis is made.

Abstract: A tape coated with an adsorbent and impregnated with a processing solution which includes silver nitrate, an acid, an alcohol and a glycol is a sensitive detecting means for hydride gases and is stable upon exposure to light.

Abstract: Method for the determination of fluidic-contained aldehydes. The method comprises bringing into contact said aldehyde and a chemically inert substrate having adhered to the surface thereof a substantially monodisperse system of particles of a derivatizing agent for the aldehydes thereby forming nucleating crystals; treating said nucleating crystals with a metastable supersaturated solution in which said nucleating crystals can grow; growing said nucleating crystals to form an optically measurable film of crystals; and optically measuring said film of crystals to determine the concentration of fluidic-contained aldehydes.