Abstract: A self-contained micro-scale gas chromatography system that includes a plurality of gas chromatography components arranged on a micro-fluidic platform with nearly zero dead volume “tubeless” fluidic connections for the gas chromatography components. The micro-fluidic platform includes a plurality of flow channels that provide fluid flow paths for a sample, carrier gas and waste gas through and among the micro-fluidic platform and the plurality of gas chromatography components. The gas chromatography components may include a micro-scale gas chromatography column that is implemented as a MEMS device and includes embedded heating and cooling elements. The system may also include an on-board supply of carrier gas and on-board waste management, as well as a thermal management scheme making the system suitable for use in oil and gas wells and also other remote environments.

Abstract: A method for the analysis of isotope ratios, wherein at least one sample gas and/or at least one reference gas are supplied to at least one analytical device via at least one open split, the addition of a carrier gas also being possible. According to the invention, the concentration of the sample gas and/or reference gas passing into the analytical device is controlled by the supply of the respective carrier gas or by direct supply of the sample gas into the analytical device. In the device according to the invention for supplying gases to at least one analytical device, two or more capillaries are provided for sample gases, the capillaries in each case having their own drive for the movement between mixing zone and waiting zone.

Abstract: A multicapillary bundle for use in a gas chromatograph. Each of the capillaries in the bundle is formed using a coating solution containing a stationary phase and a solvent. The capillaries are coated with stationary phase by reducing pressure at a vacuum end of the capillary and creating a moving interface between the coating solution and a film of stationary phase deposited on each of the capillaries. The reducing pressure at the vacuum end of the capillary and the temperature of the capillary are controlled to maintain motion of the moving interface away from the vacuum end of the capillary. Maintained movement of the interface prevents recoating of the stationary phase. A heating wire and capillaries are embedded in a thermally conductive polymer to create a highly responsive method of heating the multicapillary column. An electronic control device controls the feedback temperature of the multicapillary column using the heating wire.

Abstract: A self-contained micro-scale gas chromatography system that includes a plurality of gas chromatography components arranged on a micro-fluidic platform with nearly zero dead volume “tubeless” fluidic connections for the gas chromatography components. The micro-fluidic platform includes a plurality of flow channels that provide fluid flow paths for a sample, carrier gas and waste gas through and among the micro-fluidic platform and the plurality of gas chromatography components. The system may also include an on-board supply of carrier gas and on-board waste management, as well as a thermal management scheme making the system suitable for use in oil and gas wells and also other remote environments.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to determine the composition of a hydrocarbon feedstream from a small sample of hydrocarbons including the steps analyzing the sample with a combination of chromatograph and mass spectrometer, and reconciling output from step a) with other analytical measurements to determine to determine the composition of the hydrocarbon feedstream.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for evaluating and characterizing peptides, peptide mixtures, and polypeptide mixtures. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for evaluating or characterizing complex peptide or polypeptide mixtures comprising glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine, and lysine, e.g., Copolymer-1 or glatiramer acetate, including, but not limited to, methods of identifying, isolating, quantifying, and purifying amino acids, peptides, polypeptides, and combinations thereof having a diethylamide group instead of a carboxyl group present on the C-terminus. The presently disclosed methods can be used to determine the mole percent of polypeptides having a diethylamide group at a C-terminus thereof and can be used to evaluate one or more properties of a sample of one polypeptide mixture as compared to one or more properties of a different sample of a polypeptide mixture.

Abstract: Solids deposition in a gas environment, such as a gas transmission line or pipeline are measured using metal-coated quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) in a QCM probe within a high pressure gas chamber in the gas environment. The metal coated on the QCM may be iron, iron alloys and/or iron oxide. The weight measurements are conducted at a constant (?T) or controlled (T=f(t)) temperature between the high pressure gas chamber and the QCM probe. The weight gain during a CE cycle is associated with the solids formation rate.

Abstract: An analyte pre-concentrator for gas chromatography is disclosed generally comprising a tube packed with an adsorbent, wherein the tube may serve as the liner of a chromatographic injector, as an adsorbent trap coupled to a chromatographic column, and/or as an adsorbent trap coupled to a headspace sampler. Preferably, a heating device allows the tube to be heated. In a preferred embodiment, the analyte pre-concentrator further comprises a column isolating accessory so that a chromatographic column can be temporarily isolated from substances flowing through the tube.

Abstract: Provided is a decomposition method of an aromatic block copolymer, wherein the aromatic block copolymer comprises a segment 1 represented by the following general formula (1) and a segment 2 comprising a structural unit represented by the following general formula (2) and/or a structural unit represented by the following general formula (3), and the segment 2 is subjected to chemical decomposition.

Abstract: A method of recovering and recycling solvents, comprising, during printing or coating of solvent-recoverable and recyclable printing ink composition comprising solvents, a step of recovering the solvents vaporized in a solvent recovery apparatus, a step of separating the solvents obtained into one or more single solvents and/or one or more azeotropic compositions of two or more solvents by multi-stage distillation, and a step of recycling them as a printing ink raw material and/or dilution solvent raw material.

Abstract: The invention provides a GC mass spectrometry system, including a column for introducing a sample into the GC mass spectrometry system, a heating source for providing heat to the sample to be separated by the column, an ion source downstream from the heating source for ionizing the sample separated by the column, the ion source having a sensor for determining the temperature of the ion source, an interface coupled to the ion source sensor and the heating source wherein the interface provides a feedback loop between the ion source sensor and the heating source and the temperature of the ion source or the heating source can be tracked and altered during data acquisition.

Abstract: A method of using an ionic liquid as solvent in headspace gas chromatography.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a flow disruption within a gas chromatograph (GC) inlet. A controller controls an input flow of a gas entering a chamber of the GC inlet, and the output flow of gas leaving the chamber. A flow disruption is detected when at least one of the input and output flows deviates from a target value.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that include a thermal desorption unit, a chromatographic column, and an interface device between the unit and the column. The interface device controls the fluid flowing into the column, such as by providing additional carrier gas to maintain a substantially constant gas flow or velocity, by proving a controlled temperature increase, or by venting a portion of the gas received from the thermal desorption unit, thereby removing the dependence on the thermal desorption unit for such control. In some embodiments, the interface is a chromatographic injector. In certain embodiments, a transfer line from the desorption unit is coupled to the same port of the interface device as the chromatographic column. In some of these embodiments, this is accomplished by employing a special adaptor.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for high pressure chromatographic analysis. The described system includes a flowpath adapted to flow a mobile phase and the sample at high pressures, an injector adapted to inject the fluid sample into a flowpath, a separation column adapted to operate at high pressures for separating various components, a detector and a processor that calculates the amount of at least one component of the fluid sample. The system can operate a pressures above 20 atm or even 100 atm, and temperatures above about 100 degrees Celsius. The system can deployed in a wellbore in a subterranean rock formation, and include fluid collection system for obtaining the fluid sample downhole. The system can also be located close to a wellhead and includes a tap in fluid communication with a surface flowline carrying produced fluids and the injector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel trisubstituted cyclic thickener or gelator. The present invention further relates to a method for thickening or gelating a solution comprising the use of such a gelator or thickener. A gelator or thickener according to the invention may, for instance, be used for pharmaceutical or cosmetic purposes. It may further be used as a support material in chromatographic materials or catalytically active materials.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material quality judgment method that can easily and accurately judge the quality of a positive electrode active material used in a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell without having to complete the positive electrode. The positive electrode active material quality judgment method includes: heating a positive electrode active material mainly made of a lithium nickel composite oxide to a temperature x (° C.) of 200° C. or higher and 1500° C. or lower; measuring the amount of carbon dioxide gas occurring from the heating; and the positive electrode active material as a suitable positive electrode active material when the positive electrode active material satisfies formulas 1 and 2: y<(0.27x?51)/1000000(200?x<400)??formula 1 y<57/1000000(400?x?1500)??formula 2 where x is the heating temperature x (° C.) and y is the amount of carbon dioxide gas (mole/g) occurring per 1 g of the positive electrode active material in the heating to the heating temperature x (° C.).

Abstract: A method and water analysis system are provided to automatically, and without manual intervention, detect and identify contamination and/or hazardous material within one or more water samples from a potable and/or effluent water system. The method includes collecting a water sample from a potable and/or effluent water system; monitoring, in response to the collecting, sensors-detectors that are located in proximity to the collected water sample and receiving sensor-detector data from the sensors-detectors. The sensors-detectors include: laser induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS) sensor technology, gas chromatography sensor technology, mass spectroscopy sensor technology, calorimetric spectroscopy sensor technology, and radiation detection technology. The method further includes spectrally analyzing, in response to the monitoring, the received sensor-detector data to detect, identify, and quantify, metals, chemicals, radiological materials, and biological materials, within the collected water sample.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a gas chromatograph assembly. In one implementation, the assembly includes a sample injector and a guard column assembly. The guard column assembly includes a guard column connected to and downstream of the sample injector; a jacket with low thermal mass surrounding the guard column; a temperature controlled heater connected to the jacket to control the temperature of the jacket and thereby the temperature of the guard column; and an insulating housing surrounding the jacket. An analytical column is connected to and downstream of the guard column.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas chromatograph for the analysis of gas samples. It has a feed arrangement for feeding the sample, an open tubular capillary column for separating the components of the sample, temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the column, and a detector for detecting the separated components of the sample. The efficiency has been improved and a convenient hand-held version has been made possible by constructing the column of a bundle of open tubular capillaries having a gas permeable wall comprising a polymer membrane. The invention also relates to the use of such a column together with a detector for identifying gaseous samples.

Abstract: A system for inspecting wearable people footwear, comprising: a person's standing grille, an air stream chamber, whereas the grille is one of the partitions of the chamber, a plurality of blowing jets surrounding the object and a vacuum port. While said object is being under normal atmospheric conditions, the particles are being detached from the object exterior surface by said plurality of blowing jets detached particles are passing through said grille holes and are carried by near surface airfoil streams generated within the chamber and directed towards the vacuum port. An analyzer instrument analyzes the particles, collected at the particle collection area.

Abstract: A method and system for rapid determination of a composition, such as crude oils and fractions thereof, and s obtaining the information necessary to assess the yield of commercially valuable fuel and lube oil fractions in a single process, variations of the method and system use Gas Chromatography—FID/Mass Spectrometry and other features, including an auto sampler, a wall coated capillary column, a temperature programmable injector, and a data processing system for compiling and processing the experimental data. The system and method further include a computer system with application software or other processing mechanism and optionally a communication network. One variation provides a graphical user interface for the entry of data and for displaying information, such as in a graphical manner, to show the relationship of various determined outputs and results.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gas chromatograph (GC) module having a column assembly and a printed circuit board mounted to a valve assembly. A plurality of electronic devices are mounted to the circuit board. The electronic devices include non-volatile memory, pressure sensors and detector devices.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to extract a micro foreign body of a few ?m, which may cause a product defect of a device or the like, and to subject the foreign body to a mass analysis at a favorable S/N ratio without any contamination. A micro sample heating probe includes a sample holder made up of two members different in diameter, a supporting part, and a terminal part. The sample holder includes a heating mechanism only in a limited part, and just a region extremely close to the micro sample being an analysis target is heated locally. Therefore, even when a contaminated substance is attached to the probe, such substance is not heated, thereby preventing a noise from occurring, and enabling an analysis at a quite favorable S/N ratio.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas detection method and detection apparatus that provide better sensitivity and faster recovery after response than conventional gas detection methods and apparatus, by improving on these conventional methods and apparatus. The present invention is a gas detection method, in which the target gas is detected while oxygen is supplied to a sensor element 11a of a metal oxide-type gas sensor 11, wherein the target gas is detected while water vapor is supplied to the sensor element 11a, and is also a gas detection apparatus equipped with an oxygen supply means 14 for supplying oxygen to a sensor element 11a of a metal oxide-type gas sensor 11, said gas detection apparatus being provided with a water vapor supply means 15 for supplying water vapor to the sensor element 11a.

Abstract: The invention provides a MDGC apparatus that includes a cryotrapping apparatus capable of cooling at least twice a portion of a chemical sample and provided with a detector device disposed upstream of the cryotrap and allowing identification of the portion of the chemical sample to control the residence time of the latter in the cryotrapping apparatus.

Abstract: A solid state, radiant energy power generator and control system for heating an object in a radiant energy cavity—a radiant energy heated oven—is disclosed, where the system includes a digital processing unit (DPU), an DPU interface, a device controller, a frequency regulator, a voltage control oscillator, a power regulator, an amplifier, and a reverse/forward power sensing means.

Abstract: A thermal conductivity detector comprises a housing having an internal cavity, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a first bore and a second bore. The thermal conductivity detector further comprises a thermistor having a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead, a first contact pin in electrical communication with said first electrical lead and a second contact pin in electrical communication with said second electrical lead. The first contact pin is oriented within the first bore, the second contact pin is oriented within the second bore and the thermistor is suspended within the gas analysis chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to detector structures for use in a micro gas analyzer, preferably in a differential setup. The detector structures may comprise one or more detector types, such as photo-ionization (PID), electron capture (ECD), ion mobility (IMS), differential mobility (DMS), ion-trap mass spectrometer (ITMS), in which all are provided with ions and electrons from one vacuum ultra violet (VUV) source. This source may also provide ions for ion-based gas pumps.

Abstract: A method of measuring the effective temperature inside a sealed container having a headspace is provided. A liquid solvent is added to the container, and a solid compound is added to the liquid solvent to create a saturated solution. Vapor of the saturated solution is allowed to equilibrate in the headspace of the sealed container, and a volume thereof is transferred to a chromatographic column, where chromatographic readings of the equilibrated vapor are taken. A temperature within the sealed container is then calculated based upon the chromatographic readings of the equilibrated vapor, wherein the temperature calculation is based upon the concentrations of the liquid solvent and the solid compound in the equilibrated vapor.

Abstract: An improved chromatographic method for measuring impurities in a gas sample that allows extraction of a peak of impurity masked by the sample background. An impurity peak is extracted from the sample background and put in a second sample loop and the second sample loop volume is injected into a second separation column. A “slice” is taken from the sample background to fill the second sample loop and the “slice”, whose width is preferably substantially equal to the impurities peak width, is injected into the second separation column. Another embodiment allows concentration of a predetermined impurity, thereby providing an improved precision on the results. The chromatographic method provides an improved measure of argon in oxygen, oxygen in argon and oxygen in hydrogen.

Abstract: This invention is a data processing/visualization method which includes the software development and operation to apply to any multi-dimensional separation. The GC-MS analysis of diesel is an example to demonstrate this software development and operation. The steps of this method includes (1) displaying the total ion chromatogram obtained from a GC-MS experiment, (2) displaying each mass spectrum versus retention time, (3) selecting a normal paraffin family as the reference compound family for relative polarity display, (4) transforming every mass slice to line-up normal paraffin compound family in the same relative retention time (position), (5) rotating the axis to best display the two (multi) dimensional data.

Abstract: The breath, body fluids or skin secretions of persons contain numerous volatile substances at concentrations permitting their chemical analysis directly from surrounding ambient gas. Based on the different odor patterns revealed by such analyses for different individuals, a non-contact method is taught that permits the identification of persons and is relatively immune to evasion.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing 3-pentenenitrile by hydrocyanating 1,3-butadiene in the presence of at least one catalyst, wherein unhydrocyanated 1,3-butadiene is removed from the effluent of the hydrocyanation and recycled into the process, and the recycled 1,3-butadiene is monitored for the content of hydrogen cyanide.

Abstract: An improved gas chromatograph system includes a radiant source, an insert located to receive an output of the radiant source, and an analytic column wound on a concave surface of the insert so that successive coils of the wound analytic column are in direct contact with each other and exert an outward pressure on the concave surface of the insert such that the outward pressure minimizes a gap between the analytic column and the concave surface of the insert so as to minimize thermal gradients and maximize heat transfer to the analytic column.

Abstract: A system for detecting chemical/biological substances and a detection method. The system comprises a plurality of sensing units or nodes and a radiofrequency link. Each unit has several sensors with different sensing curves. Each sensor is able to transmit information related to the sensed substance on a specific frequency. The sensors preferably comprise AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors.

Abstract: A differential microdischarge detector system. The system comprises two microdischarge detectors (MDDs). One of the MDDs is connected to receive sample analytes to be measured, while the other MDD is connected to receive a reference sample that contains interfering gases and none or a much lower concentration of the sample analytes to be measured. The outputs of the two MDD's are fed to a circuit that generates either a difference or a ratio between the measurements of the two MDDs. In addition, the current, impedance or voltage across the electrodes of the two MDDs may be measured and processed to generate either a difference or a ratio signal, thus obtaining additional information about the sample gas analytes.

Abstract: A process for the estimation of volatile substances which comprises the steps of: (i) heating distilled water in a flask to a first temperature, (ii) adding the sample to be tested into said heated water, (iii) closing the flask, (iv) maintaining the flask containing the sample at a second temperature lower than said first temperature, (v) purging with air, (vi) drawing the volatile vapours and subjecting it to analysis.

Abstract: A system for measurement and analysis of pipeline contaminants is provided. The system includes a first assembly for engaging a pipeline from which a first fluid flow sample may be isokinetically collected for measurement of aerosol contaminants. The system also includes a second assembly for engaging the pipeline from which a second fluid flow sample may be collected for chromatographic analysis of the aerosol contaminants. The system may further include a third assembly for engaging the pipeline from which a fluid flow sample may be obtained for measurement of solid contaminants. Information on aerosol contaminants and solid contaminants can subsequently be used to select an appropriate extraction technology to control the presence of aerosol and solid contaminants within the pipeline.

Abstract: A heat switch for remote self-contained gas chromatography is disclosed. The device mechanically separates a hot or cold reservoir from the chromatography column when heating or cooling is not needed. The column needs a cooling system to obtain initial temperatures below ambient. At other times the column needs to be heated to relatively high temperatures, during which time the cooling system is preferably detached. The heat switch allows for rapid temperature changes while minimizing the peak cooling power requirement.

Abstract: A single stage flow modulator for performing comprehensive chromatography comprises a first chromatographic column, a valve fluidically coupled to at least two fluid conduits, wherein when in a first position, the valve directs a control flow to direct an output of the first chromatographic column to a first detector, and wherein when in a second position, the valve directs a control flow to direct a portion of an output of the first chromatographic column to a second chromatographic column, wherein the portion of the output of the first chromatographic column directed to the second chromatographic column is continuously modulated throughout a sample run.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and a methods for collecting, transmitting and storing fugitive gas emission data. An embodiment of the invention collects fugitive gas with a sampling probe and into a emission monitoring device. The device then sends and stores fugitive gas data into a storage medium, such as a wireless data-logging adapter. The wireless-data logging adapter stores the data and wirelessly sends it to a personal digital assistant or other form of redundant memory such as a data logger. In one embodiment, the PDA can initiate commands to retrieve data from the storage medium or operate the emission gas monitoring device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for cooling gas chromatography ovens that comprise a housing having a fluid entry and a sleeve positioned within the housing to provide a fluid gap between the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the sleeve, where the sleeve is coupled to the fluid entry, and where a cooling fluid from the fluid entry traverses the inner layer of the sleeve and thereafter the outer layer of the sleeve via the fluid gap. In one embodiment, the housing includes at least one adjustable fluid exit, and the fluid gap is in fluid communications with the fluid exit(s). The fluid entry and the sleeve can be concentric, and the sleeve can include a heating element. A fan can be positioned to drive the cooling fluid from the fluid entry.

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: A system and method is provided for obtaining calibration curves for CO and CO2 during laboratory calibration of one or more remote emissions sensing (RES) instruments, and for self-calibration of on-road RES instruments to compensate for changes in background CO and CO2 column densities.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method comprising an apparatus for removing contaminants from a gas in a semiconductor processing device, which can include a filter unit having at least two parallel filter stages located therein. The filter stages are designed to remove a least a portion of the contaminants present in the gas flowing through them. The apparatus can also include a flow controller for distributing the gas flow among the filter stages. In one embodiment, the controller may consist of a diffuser plate. The invention also provides a sampling tube orifice for gas flow control in a system or method of the invention. In another embodiment, an apparatus for removing contaminants from a gas in a clean room comprises a filter unit having at least two parallel filter stages, which are used to remove a portion of the contaminants in the gas as it passes through the apparatus.

Abstract: A thermal conductivity detector (TCD) utilizes a modular thermistor assembly that mounts to the TCD body. The thermistor assembly is easily replaceable in the TCD. Within the TCD, a thermistor bead is always held in the same relative location in a gas flow path, which is designed to produce laminar, low velocity gas flow across the thermistor bead. Two TCDs, each having a heater, are mounted in an insulated enclosure. The heaters are activated to bring the TCDs to operating temperature, and are then deactivated during analysis.

Abstract: A hand-held, ultra-sensitive gas chromatograph which provides real time detection and analysis of chemical compounds or impurities is disclosed. The detection sensitivity ranges from parts per trillion to parts per million with an average retention time ranging from thirty to forty-five seconds. Optimum calculated effective plate number is 55,000, with a response time on the order of two minutes. The self-contained apparatus operates on twenty-four watts, weighs twelve pounds, and measures 8?×6?×13.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the method and equipment for inspecting nuclear experimental locales, and particularly relates to the method and system for separating and measuring 37Ar quickly. The method of the invention comprises the steps of sampling, eliminating impurities, separating, purifying, measuring the sum of Ar, collecting Ar, measuring the activity of 37Ar, etc. The control unit in the system of the invention connects respectively to a sampling unit, a separating-purifying unit, and a radioactivity measuring unit which are connected in turn, and a computer and the software of the control unit are in charge of the automatic operation, measurement and data-collection of the whole system. The method and system for quickly separating and measuring 37Ar of the patent can meet the requirements of locales inspection for Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the sensitivity of measuring 37Ar is high, so do the production and purity of Ar.

Abstract: An analyte pre-concentrator for gas chromatography is disclosed generally comprising a tube having a restricted outlet and packed with an adsorbent, wherein the tube serves as the liner of a chromatographic injector, as an adsorbent trap coupled to a chromatographic column, and/or as an adsorbent trap coupled to a headspace sampler. Preferably, a heating device allows the tube to be heated. In a preferred embodiment, the analyte pre-concentrator further comprises a column isolating accessory so that a chromatographic column can be temporarily isolated from substances flowing through the tube.