Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the inventive technology relates to in-vessel generation of a material from a solution of interest as part of a processing and/or analysis operation. Preferred embodiments of the in-vessel material generation (e.g., in-vessel solid material generation) include precipitation; in certain embodiments, analysis and/or processing of the solution of interest may include dissolution of the material, perhaps as part of a successive dissolution protocol using solvents of increasing ability to dissolve. Applications include, but are by no means limited to estimation of a coking onset and solution (e.g., oil) fractionating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the kinetic parameters of a catalyst powder, which include the reaction rate constants, active site concentration and intraparticle diffusivity. The measurement of the active site concentration selectively measures just the active sites and not the entire exposed atom concentration. The apparatus and method use surface concentrations less than 50% and larger than 1% the total active site concentration and a dynamic pulsed flow to avoid including weak adsorption sites not involved in the catalysis. The measurement is more accurate because (1) it uses a reactant gas and non-steady state adsorption at temperatures near to reaction temperatures, and (2) it uses the chemical kinetics expressions to extract the measured active site concentration to perform the measurement so as to count just those sites actually active for that reactant.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring and analyzing particles within a gas feed stream. In one aspect, the system includes a particle counter and a particle capture filter that are arranged in parallel. In another aspect, the system includes a purifying device to remove trace molecular impurities from a gas feed stream to reduce the presence of impurities.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for sampling a high-temperature gaseous process stream containing components with high boiling points. The sampling system is especially suited for instruments having extremely low pressure chambers, such as mass spectrometers. The invention reduces the condensation of high boiling point components of the sample in the sampling system without the necessity of maintaining extremely high temperatures. The gaseous sample is passed through an orifice from the high temperature stream into a lower-temperature zone of the sampling system where a low pressure is maintained by a vacuum pump. The low pressure reduces the boiling point of the sample components so they may be maintained in a gas phase without excessive heating. The low pressure sample is then introduced into an instrument chamber through a sample introduction valve.

Abstract: IMS apparatus has a preconcentrator outside its inlet aperture. Analyte vapor is adsorbed during a first phase when substantially no gas is admitted to the reaction region. The preconcentrator is then energized to desorb the analyte molecules and create a volume of desorbed molecules outside the IMS housing. Next, a pressure pulser is energized momentarily to drop pressure in the housing and draw in a small sip of the analyte molecules from the desorbed volume through the aperture. This is repeated until the concentration of analyte molecules in the desorbed volume is too low for accurate analysis, following which the apparatus enters another adsorption phase.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for designing, operating, monitoring and/or diagnosing a chemical reaction, particularly a hydrotreating process, using a fixed bed catalytic reactor.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting the presence of submicron sized particles in a sample taken from the environment. More particularly, the system may be used to detect and identify bacteria by detecting the presence of bacterial pili which have been separated from bacterial cells in the sample. The system includes means for collecting a sample from the environment, separating pili from bacteria in the sample, and purifying and concentrating the submicron sized pili in the sample based on the size of the pili. The purified and concentrated pili are detected with an apparatus which includes an electrospray assembly having an electrospray capillary, a differential mobility analyzer which receives output from the capillary, and a condensation particle counting device for counting the number of pili sized particles that pass through the differential mobility analyzer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of monitoring a resin-producing polymerization reaction in a fluid bed reactor system to generate reaction parameter data in on-line fashion, determining an indicator of at least one of entropy and complexity (for example, Kolmogorov or Shannon entropy) of each of at least two subsets of the reaction parameter data, and optionally also determining from at least one value of the indicator (for example, from a time series of Kolmogorov or Shannon entropy values) an indication of at least one of degree of resin stickiness, an approach to or imminence of resin stickiness, and an approach to or imminence of an unsafe or undesired reactor operating condition (e.g., that can result in sheeting or chunking). Optionally also, the reaction is controlled in response to at least one value of the indicator, for example, in an effort to prevent the occurrence of sheeting or another discontinuity event or to maintain the reactor in a stable, non-sticking condition.

Abstract: Transparent elastomer safety shields for laboratory glassware subjected to vacuum evacuation, and for electronic components, is disclosed. Removable glassware sheaths permit viewing vacuum processes while protecting personnel from implosion hazards. Removable sheaths also permit adding conventional heat transfer materials such as powders, strips, and fluids to the sheath prior to securing to the glassware to assist evaporation and sublimation procedures. Further, the addition of thermally conductive nanopowders, such as copper, aluminum, and iron to flowable polymer formulations prior to curing into a solid elastomer, provides enhanced thermal conductivity for these transparent sheaths, and for “see through” heat sink potting compounds for protective covering of electronic components.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer has a drift chamber (1) with an inlet (2) at one end by which a gas or vapor being analyzed is supplied to the chamber. After ionization, molecules are admitted through a gate 8 and flow along a drift region (9) to a collector plate (11). A drift gas is flowed through the drift region against the flow of ionized molecules and is circulated along a flow path (31, 32, 40) and (30), which includes a chamber (50) including a dopant. The dopant is 2,4-pentanedione, which has been found to enhance the detection of a number of compounds especially toxic industrial chemicals and nitrogen compounds, such as those present in the breath of mammals.

Abstract: A method for collecting and sensing a column of air in near real-time to detect one or more agents dispersed within the air column is described. The method includes passing the column of air through a port in a parafoil, the parafoil configured with a flow-through sensor suite located in the port and operable such that the column of air passes through the sensor suite, operating the sensor suite to test the column of air for the one or more agents, and receiving test results from the sensor suite.

Abstract: A purge and trap concentrator system that includes a sparge vessel, and includes a variable gas flow valve for controlling the gas pressure in an analytic trap or the sparge vessel; a sensor that detects both a foaming sample state and a high liquid level in the sparge vessel, using one optical sensor; a control scheme that re-directs the purge gases to a second inlet of the sparge vessel during a foaming condition; a control scheme that uses a split flow to enhance the quantity of sample gases passed from an analytic trap; an electrically powered thermal energy source with a fan raising the sparge vessel temperature via thermal convection.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring ammonia in gaseous streams, particularly in flue gas streams. The apparatus is transportable but can be permanently installed. The flue gas can be monitored in real time.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting an S-nitrosothiol in a sample which includes treating the sample with a transition metal such as copper (I) and cysteine in the presence of a substance capable of blocking interactions between iron-containing compounds and NO and detecting the generated NO.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a homogenous sample of a pressurized fluid stream flowing in a pipeline, the fluid stream consisting of a majority component of hydrocarbon gas, the remainder consisting of one or more hydrocarbon liquids and water in the form of vapor, aerosols, droplets and/or liquid streams, the method includes the steps of: a. injecting one or more surface active agents into the fluid stream in an injection zone at a rate that is sufficient to form a uniform foam of the gas and the one or more hydrocarbon liquids and water components; b. mixing the one or more surface active agents with the fluid stream in a mixing zone to form a uniform foam composition flowing in the pipeline downstream of the mixing zone; c. withdrawing a portion of the foam composition from the pipeline at a sampling point; d. passing the portion of the foam composition withdrawn through a sampling loop; and e.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for identifying polypeptides by deducing the amino acid sequence of the carboxy and amino termini by a mass spectrometer analysis. The method comprises the steps of dissociating highly charged peptide precursor ions (e.g., z>4) using electron transfer dissociation inducing anions followed by removal of those reagents and introduction of a second, proton transfer inducing anion type. The second PTR reaction duration is adjusted to convert the ETD products to primarily the +1 charge-state to reduce the highly charged c and z-type fragments, producing an m/z spectrum containing a series of c and z-type fragment ions that are easily interpreted to reveal the sequence of the amino and carboxy terminus, respectively.

Abstract: A nickel crucible used for melting an analytical sample in the pretreatment of the analytical sample, characterized in that the purity of the nickel crucible is 99.9999 wt % or higher. Also provided is a method of analysis, comprising melting a sample by the use of the nickel crucible for melting having a purity of 99.9999 wt % or higher, and analyzing the melt to thereby obtain an analytical result in which the respective lower limits of determination of Mn, Al, Si, Mg, Pb, Fe, Co, Ti, Cu, Cr, Zr, Mo, and W are Mn: 5 wtppm, Al: 10 wtppm, Si: 10 wtppm, Mg: 5 wtppm, Pb: 5 wtppm, Fe: 5 wtppm, Co: 5 wtppm, Ti: 20 wtppm, Cu: 20 wtppm, Cr: 10 wtppm, Zr: 5 wtppm, Mo: 2 wtppm, and W:10 wtppm. In light of the recent analytical technology demanded of fast and accurate measurement of high purity materials, high purity analysis is attained through inhibition of mixing of impurities from the crucible.

Abstract: A method of using a burner-based system to produce diesel exhaust gas that contains particulate matter of a desired composition, to simulate the PM matter in exhaust produced by a production-type diesel internal combustion engine.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing an analytical standard used for microbeam X-ray fluorescence analysis which includes: a mixing step in which an element is added to a base material, and the base material and the element are mixed by stirring to obtain a mixed solution; a deaeration step in which the mixed solution is deaerated; a freeze step in which the mixed solution is slowly frozen; and a cutting step in which a thin section is cut out from the frozen mixed solution. In order to surely remove bubbles from the mixed solution, the deaeration step may contain a stationary step in which the mixed solution is allowed to stand still at room temperature; or the stationary step includes a removal step in which gas contained in the mixed solution which is allowed to stand still is removed with a suction apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the quantitative analysis of a metal element contained in a resin material, which permits quantitatively analyzing the harmful substance such as lead contained in a resin material, comprising decomposing the resin material within a container having at least the inner surface formed of a glassy carbon in the presence of an aqueous solution of an oxidizing acid, heating the organic residue of the decomposed resin material so as to convert the residue into an ash, and quantitatively measuring the metal element contained in the organic residue converted into the ash.

Abstract: A method to measure the concentration of a constituent element in a gas sample contained in an analyzer. A sample cell of a detector has an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the sample cell is sealed. A predetermined mass of a gas sample is received through the inlet into the sample cell over a predetermined pressurization period until substantially the entire mass of the gas sample contained in the analyzer is contained within the sample cell. The gas sample is pressurized to a predetermined pressure over the pressurization period. A concentration of a constituent element in the pressurized gas sample is determined.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting headspace vapor is generally disclosed comprising pressurizing a vessel containing headspace vapor with a carrier gas and subsequently venting the sample mixture through an adsorbent trap and out a vent. A flow controller is employed to gradually increase the flow therethrough as the pressure drops as a result of the gradual depletion of headspace vapor in the vessel and, in certain embodiments, the flow controller maintains a constant flow rate. Due to the time saved, in some embodiments, multiple pressurization-venting cycles are implemented to maximize the amount of vapor extracted from the vial. Due to the constant flow rate, in certain embodiments, the pressure decay is monitored and compared to reference values in order to determine whether the sample vessel has a leak or other defect.

Abstract: A method of detecting organic vapors is described. More particularly, the method involves the use of an analyte sensor that contains a polymeric material having a relatively large intrinsic porosity and that is capable of fluorescence in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The method further includes exposing the analyte sensor to an environment that may contain an organic vapor and monitoring the analyte sensor for a change in a fluorescence signal. Although the organic vapor itself typically does not fluoresce in the visible wavelength range, presence of an organic vapor can alter the fluorescence signal of the analyte sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining blood oxygen transport, and to measure lipid levels by correlating these levels with the rate at which oxygen diffuses through the red blood cell membrane.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a screening method for identifying compositions suitable for use in an oral composition (e.g., a confection or chewing gum product) effective for the treatment of oral cavity malodor associated with the consumption of garlic. In particular, this invention relates to a screening method for determining the ability of a composition to reduce the concentration of a sulfide or disulfide compound (e.g., diallyl disulfide) present in a model sample or solution which is representative of the oral cavity of a subject after consuming garlic, as an indicator of the effectiveness of that composition in the treatment of oral cavity malodor associated with the consumption of garlic.

Abstract: An method for sample preparation using solid phase extraction. Using an apparatus comprising a SPE cartridge and a sorbent-containing gas filter which contains a sorbent and is detachably connected to the SPE cartridge the gas used to dry the SPE cartridge is purified by passage through the gas filter, thereby preventing contamination of the SPE sorbent by airborne contaminants.

Abstract: IMS apparatus has an inlet with a preconcentrator opening into a reaction region where analyte molecules are ionized and passed via a shutter to a drift region for collection and analysis. A pump and filter arrangement supplies a flushing flow of clean gas to the housing in opposition to ion flow. A pressure pulser connects with the housing and is momentarily switched to cause a short drop in pressure, in the housing to draw in a bolus of analyte sample from the preconcentrator. Just prior to admitting a bolus of sample, the pump is turned off so that the flushing flow drops substantially to zero, thereby prolonging the time the analyte molecules spend in the reaction region.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of identification or evaluation of compounds useful in the field of fragrances and aromas (the volatile part of a flavor). Methods according to the invention take into account the occurrence of enzymatic metabolism in the human respiratory tract, including the oral and in particular the nasal cavity.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for sampling a high-temperature gaseous process stream containing components with high boiling points. The sampling system is especially suited for instruments having extremely low pressure chambers, such as mass spectrometers. The invention reduces the condensation of high boiling point components of the sample in the sampling system without the necessity of maintaining extremely high temperatures. The gaseous sample is passed through an orifice from the high temperature stream into a lower-temperature zone of the sampling system where a low pressure is maintained by a vacuum pump. The low pressure reduces the boiling point of the sample components so they may be maintained in a gas phase without excessive heating. The low pressure sample is then introduced into an instrument chamber through a sample introduction valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic radioactivity analyzer of mixed liquid beta emitter which comprises: a sample preparation part (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7) for extracting a liquid sample from liquid-phase radioactive nuclear wastes; a sample injection part (9 and 10), including a sample transportation part for transporting a bottled sample to a radioactivity detection part to perform measurement; the radioactivity detection part (11) including two photon multiplier tubes; an exterior gamma-ray source injection part (12) for compensating for measurement efficiency according to quenching effects; a signal processing part (13), including a pre-amplifier circuit (14), a high-voltage generator circuit (15), an analogue-to-digital converter circuit (21), and a digital signal processor (DSP) (24), for generating beta spectrums by the aid of a fast coincidence counter (20) and a multi-channel analyzer (22); a main control PC (25) and a graphic user interface (GUI) program (29) for remotely automatically me

Abstract: A method for measuring a growth rate of a carbon nanotube includes the following steps: (a) providing a substrate (12); (b) forming a catalyst layer on the substrate; (c) heating the substrate to a predetermined temperature; (d) intermittently introducing/providing and then interrupting a reaction gas proximate the substrate to grow a patterned carbon nanotube array, each carbon nanotube having at least one line mark formed thereon as a result of the patterned growth; and (e) calculating the growth rate which is equal to a length between a pair of line marks divided by a time interval between said two line marks.

Abstract: A method for quantitative monitoring of a gas injected into a reservoir and likely to react chemically with the injection medium includes injecting into a reservoir a mixture of the potentially reactive gas to be quantified with a low proportion of a tracer gas whose chemical inertness is total, and in determining the variation with time of the initial proportion of reactive gas that may have disappeared through conversion, by measuring the concentration variation of the tracer gas in the mixture. The tracer gas is preferably selected from the rare gas family and from isotopes thereof, unlikely to be contaminated by contact of the mixture with the injection medium, and which have physical properties such as solubility in water or diffusion coefficients as close as possible to the gas injected. The method is applicable to monitoring of the evolution and conversion of a reactive gas such as carbon dioxide or methane, injected into an underground reservoir for example.

Abstract: A vapor analysis system comprising a vapor analyzer capable of collecting and analyzing a vapor sample for detection of a compound that may be contained within the vapor sample. A controller is coupled to the vapor analyzer. The controller is programmed to produce an indicator signal indicative of a relative concentration of the compound detected by the vapor analyzer within the vapor sample. A sample probe includes a housing containing a vapor channel through which the vapor sample is collected, and a vapor cable couples the sample probe to the vapor analyzer to allow collection and channeling of the vapor sample to the vapor analyzer. A multi-dimensional user indicator is disposed on the housing of the sample probe receives and operates in response to the indicator signal to indicate the relative concentration of the compound detected within the vapor sample for presentation via a multi-directional stimulus to a user of the vapor analysis system.

Abstract: An encapsulated sorbent tube includes a sampling sorbent tube having an open end and containing a sorbent material therein enclosed within an independent encapsulation element that has a body portion and an end portion. The body portion of the encapsulation element has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the sampling sorbent tube sufficient to accommodate the sampling sorbent tube therein. The end portion of the encapsulation element is formed and defined by the longitudinal length of the encapsulation element in excess of the sampling sorbent tube, and includes a proximal frangible element and a distal closure seal, each being independent of and separated from the sampling sorbent tube.

Abstract: Described is apparatus and a process for the enablement of functional product analysis of the headspace proximate one or more substrate, such as hair, fabric or skin, surfaces having affixed thereto functional product, a fragrance composition and/or malodor counteractant composition-containing microcapsules. The apparatus employs mobile microcapsule-abrading solid objects, including agitating stainless steel spheres during analyte collection in a gas-flow/trapping tube analyte collection apparatus. The reciprocating motion and the air-flow are commenced simultaneously thereby enabling the solid objects to become mobile and to effectively abrade the microcapsules affixed to the semi-solid surfaces.

Abstract: There is provided a pulsed flow modulation gas chromatograph mass spectrometer with supersonic molecular beams apparatus and method for improved sample analysis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a spectrometer for measuring submillimeter absorption. The spectrometer may include a solid state exciter generating a submillimeter wave and sweeping a predetermined frequency band, a frequency marker generating unit electrically generating frequency markers, a sample cell to contain a gas, and a solid-state detector detecting a submillimeter absorption of the gas. A spectrometer energizes a solid-state oscillator to generate a submillimeter wave and to sweep a predetermined band of frequency. The submillimeter wave is introduced into a sample cell containing a gas and frequency markers that are electrically generated during the sweep. Outputs of a solid-state detector disposed in the sample cell are read and recorded as a function of time and with the frequency markers. The recorded outputs of the solid-state detector are converted into a function of frequency using the recorded frequency markers.

Abstract: Generally, this invention relates to the development of field monitoring methodology for new substances and sensing chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and terrorist substances. It also relates to a portable test kit which may be utilized to measure concentrations of halogenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the field. Specifically it relates to systems for reliably field sensing the potential presence of such items while also distinguishing them from other elements potentially present. It also relates to overall systems and processes for sensing, reacting, and responding to an indicated presence of such substance, including modifications of existing halogenated sensors and arrayed sensing systems and methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of testing catalysts and catalyst systems via a plurality of stations in which each station can accommodate a common reactor module in order to accomplish unattended, automated, rapid serial experimentation.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube devices are manipulated in a manner that is useful for a variety of implementations. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, light (632) is used to photodesorb molecules from a carbon nanotube (620).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for processing a waste high-pressure fluid, which is yielded by bringing a high-pressure fluid into contact with a processing object in a high-pressure processing vessel to make unnecessary materials on the processing object accompany it. In accordance with the present invention, a novel processing method is provided which includes the steps of draining liquid ingredients, which is obtained from a preliminarily refined waste medium-pressure fluid, having been decompressed from the waste high-pressure fluid and provided to a separating means filled with packing materials, out of a system with unnecessary materials, and refining gas ingredients, which is also obtained from the preliminarily refined waste medium-pressure fluid, in an adsorbing means including adsorbents.

Abstract: A mixed potential sensor device and methods for measuring total ammonia (NH3) concentration in a gas is provided. The gas is first partitioned into two streams directed into two sensing chambers. Each gas stream is conditioned by a specific catalyst system. In one chamber, in some instances at a temperature of at least about 600° C., the gas is treated such that almost all of the ammonia is converted to NOx, and a steady state equilibrium concentration of NO to NO2 is established. In the second chamber, the gas is treated with a catalyst at a lower temperature, preferably less than 450° C. such that most of the ammonia is converted to nitrogen (N2) and steam (H2O). Each gas is passed over a sensing electrode in a mixed potential sensor system that is sensitive to NOx. The difference in the readings of the two gas sensors can provide a measurement of total NH3 concentration in the exhaust gas. The catalyst system also functions to oxidize any unburned hydrocarbons such as CH4, CO, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are described in which a plurality of preloaded catalyst samples tubes can be serially and automatically moved from a support to a reaction zone where each catalyst sample can be heated and a preheated reagent feed contacted with the sample and the effluent fed to a product collection and analysis system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel assays for zero-valent transition metals. The novel assays of the present invention are generally methods or processes for quantitatively and/or qualitatively evaluating the presence of zero-valent transition metals on and/or within samples. Such assays generally involve a digestion process whereby the sample is exposed to carbon monoxide. Transition metals, if present in or on the sample and if contacted by the carbon monoxide, are extracted by the carbon monoxide as metal carbonyl species, the presence of which confirms the presence of transition metals. Such novel assays have enormous predictive power in oil and gas exploration.

Abstract: A radiative transport band model algorithm has been developed for prediction and analysis of high spectral resolution radiometric measurements. Atomic and molecular line center absorption is determined from finite spectral bin equivalent widths. A new mathematically exact expansion for finite bin equivalent widths provides high accuracy at any desired spectral resolution. The temperature and pressure dependent Voigt line tail spectral absorption contributing to each spectral bin is pre-computed and fit to Padé approximants for rapid and accurate accounting of neighboring-to-distant lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (herein referred to as a “gas sorption/desorption analyzer”) for measuring the gas sorption properties of substances (for example hydrogen sorption by metal alloys). Measurements include: Pressure Composition Temperature isotherm (PCT), Kinetic, Cycle-life, and density. Measurements are made by sorption of aliquots of gas to or from a sample of the substance. The amount of gas in each aliquot is determined from the gas pressure and temperature in calibrated reservoir volumes. The apparatus comprises components rated for operation up to 200 atm, a plurality of sensors covering a broad pressure range, and minimized volumes to enable accurate measurements of small samples. Aliquot pressures are controlled using a feed-back controlled pressure regulator that can also be used for constant pressure sorption measurements. The gas temperature is regulated using a temperature controlled enclosure.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for designing, operating, monitoring and/or diagnosing a chemical reaction, particularly a hydrotreating process, using a fixed bed catalytic reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus for airborne particle sorting is provided comprising a charging system adapted for applying an electrostatic charge to the particles, such that particles of at least a first group are deflected to a greater extent than particles of a second group are deflected. A focusing system is adapted for electrostatically focusing substantially at least the particles of the first group into a focused stream that is narrower than the input air stream. A deposition system is adapted for substantially depositing the particles of the first group from the focused stream upon a target surface, where the target surface may be transported to an analysis system capable of analyzing the particles deposited thereon.

Abstract: A reaction apparatus comprises a first supply flow channel having a fine flow channel cross sectional area for a liquid pressurized by a pressurizing device, a gas supply flow channel having a fine flow channel cross sectional area for supplying a gas, a two-phase flow channel having a fine flow channel cross sectional area in communication with a joined portion for the first supply flow channel and the second supply flow channel for flowing a gas/liquid two-phase fluid, a gas bubble reaction flow channel in communication with the exit of the gas/liquid two-phase channel and having a flow channel cross sectional area larger than that of the gas/liquid two-phase flow channel, and a liquid discharge flow channel for discharging the liquid in the gas bubble reaction flow channel. Therefore, in the reaction apparatus, a stable mixing ratio of a gas to a liquid can be obtained and the mixing speed of the gas to the liquid is increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining a total concentration of a component in a sample, including a reactor for oxidizing or reducing the sample, a chromatographic column coupled to the reactor for separating the component in the sample, and an electrochemical gas sensor coupled to the chromatographic column for detecting the component. In further embodiments, a filter may be used instead of or in addition to the column. Moreover, multiple sensors may be used instead of or in addition to the column for simultaneously detecting multiple components.