Abstract: One way of practicing the method of the invention is to follow these steps, not necessarily in the disclosed sequence: (1) providing a hot gas spike apparatus to load one or more diffusion denuders with a compound selected from the group consisting of a calibration standard, an internal standard, and a surrogate standard compound in a solvent carrier; (2) pulling one or more samples of ambient atmosphere through at least one of the diffusion denuders in a multicapillary collection device; (3) extracting analytes from at least one of the diffusion denuders in an analyte transfer apparatus or from a filter using an extraction device; (4) optionally cleaning up gaseous extracts or extracts of filters using chromatography, and transferring the collected analytes into an analytical device. To practice the method, an apparatus is disclosed that has a hot gas spike component, a high-flow multicapillary collection device and an analyte transfer apparatus.

Abstract: An analyte collection system device includes an active area that includes a plurality of perforations extending therethrough. The plurality of perforations are arranged to permit passage of an analyte fluid flow through the microscale plate. A heating element is provided for heating the active area, and a thermal distribution layer is disposed over at least a portion of the active area. For cooling the active area at or below an ambient temperature, an active cooler is provided.

Abstract: A sampling system that contains filter components for collecting and concentrating vapor and particles in high-volume flows. The sample is then vaporized and delivered to a detector at a low-volume flow. The invention also has a sampling probe that contains an air-jet to help dislodge particles from surfaces and a heating lamp to help vaporize compounds on surfaces or objects. The sampling system is especially useful for screening for explosives and other illicit chemicals and toxins on people, baggage, cargo, and other objects.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for sampling carbon particles emitted, for example, from a charcoal kiln, including: a sampling tube introducing samples including carbon particles from a carbon particle emission source; a first manifold collecting the samples introduced from the sampling tube; a first suction means transferring the samples from the carbon particle emission source to the first manifold through the sampling tube; a discharge tube discharging the samples from the first manifold; a second manifold collecting the samples introduced from the discharge tube and supplying them to a carbon particle collection unit; a second suction means transferring the samples introduced to the first manifold to the second manifold through the discharge tube; the carbon particle collection unit receiving the samples from the second manifold and collecting the carbon particles included in the samples; and a third suction means transferring the samples introduced to the second manifold to the carbon particle collection unit

Abstract: A sampling system that contains filter components for collecting and concentrating vapor and particles in high-volume flows. The sample is then vaporized and delivered to a detector at a low-volume flow. The invention also has a sampling probe that contains an air-jet to help dislodge particles from surfaces and a heating lamp to help vaporize compounds on surfaces or objects. The sampling system is especially useful for screening for explosives and other illicit chemicals and toxins on people, baggage, cargo, and other objects.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus enables attachment to a sample to be excised from a frozen bulk sample, the transfer of the excised sample from the bulk sample to a separate cooled support structure by means of a manipulator tip that can be cooled and maintained at a temperature below that of vitreous ice and which provides both an active cooling path and cryogenic shielding to maintain the temperature of the excised sample below that of vitreous ice. The cryogenic shielding also helps minimize contamination of the cooled sample by condensation of volatile material. A method is disclosed for extracting a portion of a frozen sample, comprising attaching a thermally-isolated cooled manipulator tip to the sample with vapor deposition and removing a portion of the sample affixed to the tip without changing phase of the portion of the sample being removed, with a focused ion beam.

Abstract: A method of sampling and confining chemical contaminations intended for the chemical analysis of contaminations in particulate and/or molecular form with prior adsorption by a support or trapping in a liquid. The adsorbent support or the contaminated liquid is then held in position in a closed box or sealed container having chemically inert walls. The outside of the closed box or sealed container is brought into contact with a gas at a higher pressure than the pressure inside the box or container and then the temperature inside the closed box or sealed container is regulated from an environment external to the gas.

Abstract: A wet cyclone particle collector is disclosed. The wet cyclone particle collector includes a cyclone unit, a liquid delivery unit and a sample collection unit. The cyclone unit draws a gas sample into a cyclone chamber and creates a circular flow of the gas sample inside the cyclone chamber so that particles in the gas sample are separated from said gas sample by centrifugation force. The liquid delivery unit delivers a collection liquid into the cyclone in a non-continuous fashion. The sample collection unit harvests the collection liquid from the cyclone unit. The non-continuous delivery of the collection liquid significantly reduces consumption of collection liquid during operation of the particle collector.

Abstract: A chemical pre-concentrator includes a conduit defining a flow path between two ends and having a heating element disposed within the conduit, such that the heating element has at least one sorbent material deposited directly on at least a portion of a conductive surface of the heating element. Some such heating elements are in the form of electrically conductive strips defining both a plurality of apertures through the strip and a series of undulations spaced along the flow path.

Abstract: A device for sampling surfaces for the presence of compounds is provided, the device comprising a housing having a proximal end adapted to receive a negative pressure gradient and a distal end adapted to contact the surfaces; a heating element spaced medially from the distal end, the heating element positioned within the housing; a primary filter spaced medially from the heating element, the primary filter encased by the housing; and a secondary filter spaced medially from the primary filter, the secondary filter removably received by the housing.

Abstract: A method for improved handling of a blended fuel includes obtaining a sample of the blended fuel from a storage tank; cooling the same until the sample separates into phases; and determining a risk that the fuel in the storage tank will separate based on the cooling step. An apparatus for assessing the risk of phase separation of a blended fuel includes a test cavity for holding a sample of the blended fuel from a storage tank; a heat transfer device for cooling the sample in the test cavity; and at least one sensor for indicating when the sample in the test cavity has separated into phases.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a wetted wall cyclone comprises a cyclone body including an inlet end, an outlet end, an inner flow passage, and an inner surface defining an inner diameter. In addition, the wetted wall cyclone comprises a cyclone inlet tangentially coupled to the cyclone body. The cyclone inlet includes an inlet flow passage in fluid communication with the inner flow passage. Further, the wetted wall cyclone comprises a skimmer extending coaxially through the outlet end of the cyclone body. The skimmer comprises an upstream end disposed within the cyclone body, a downstream end distal the cyclone body, and an inner exhaust passage in fluid communication with the inner flow passage. Still further, the wetted wall cyclone comprises a first annulus positioned radially between the upstream end and the cyclone body having a radial width W1 between 3% and 15% of the inner diameter of the cyclone body.

Abstract: A portable multi-tube air sampler device for capturing samples of trace elements in a suspected contaminated environment which includes a plurality of sample tubes for collecting sample trace elements, parallel inlet and outlet manifolds which minimize the length of the sample inlet path while utilizing short straight sample tubes, a hinged retainer bar mechanism which allows for easy removal and replacement of the various sample tubes, and a removably attachable controller unit which can be installed on the exterior portion of the carrying case for controlling the operation of the sampling protocol. Other embodiments include heated inlet manifold and sample intake paths to prevent contamination accumulation and carryover, a clean cycle option with a filter valved into the inlet flow path to enhance the purging cycle, and a mechanism for converting the present device to a desorbing auto sampler configuration. The present system likewise incorporates a purging cycle prior to each sampling cycle.

Abstract: A hand held detector system that has a housing with a passage that can receive a sample, and a concentrator that captures the sample. The hand held system further includes a single detector coupled to the concentrator and a fluid system that provides fluid communication between the housing passage and the concentrator, and between the concentrator and the detector. The system is powered by a battery. The system may include a controller that heats the concentrator with a temperature profile that causes a first trace molecule to desorb at a time different from the desorption of a second trace molecule. The system and components may be powered by a battery.

Abstract: A detection system for identifying an unknown substance includes a detector assembly configured to receive a particulate or vapor and determine a substance contained within the collected vapor or particulate sample, and at least one heater element operatively coupled in flow communication with the detector assembly. The heater element is configured to attract an airborne vapor when the detection system is in a vapor mode, and desorb at least a portion of the attracted particulate when the detection system is in a particulate mode.

Abstract: One way of practicing the method of the invention is to follow these steps, not necessarily in the disclosed sequence: (1) providing a hot gas spike apparatus to load one or more diffusion denuders with a compound selected from the group consisting of a calibration standard, an internal standard, and a surrogate standard compound in a solvent carrier; (2) pulling one or more samples of ambient atmosphere through at least one of the diffusion denuders in a multicapillary collection device; (3) extracting analytes from at least one of the diffusion denuders in an analyte transfer apparatus or from a filter using an extraction device; (4) optionally cleaning up gaseous extracts or extracts of filters using chromatography, and transferring the collected analytes into an analytical device. To practice the method, an apparatus is disclosed that has a hot gas spike component, a high-flow multicapillary collection device and an analyte transfer apparatus.

Abstract: This invention describes a multi-stage pre-concentrator device for use with a detector system. One pre-concentrator stage is detachable and may be used to collect sample remotely from the detection system. The detachable pre-concentrator stage mates with the detector system and can transfer its desorbed sample to another pre-concentrator stage which also incorporates the functions of a sample loop serving as an injection volume to the separation column of an analytical instrument. In one embodiment the fixed pre-concentrator stage serves as a sample loop that preferably integrates suitable valves with sorbent materials onto the same structure to minimise dead volume, maximise sensitivity, improving column loading efficiency, reducing duty cycles and minimising detection system response time.

Abstract: An air displacement liquid delivery system including a liquid delivery device, one or more sensors, a control unit, and a preprogrammable computing device, and a method for using the air displacement liquid delivery system. The one or more sensors are capable of obtaining information regarding conditions within and external to the liquid delivery device and sending this information to the control unit and/or the computing device. In turn, the control unit and/or computing device are capable of using this information to calculate one or more properties of gas contained within, and the air external to, the liquid delivery device, and one or more properties of a liquid that is to be aspirated or dispensed by the liquid delivery device. The system may optimally control the performance of the liquid delivery device based upon any one or more of these calculated properties.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for filtering sectioning wastes of a microtome that are present in an air stream are described. The apparatus has an aspiration device with which sectioning waste can be aspirated from a blade region of the microtome with an air stream. A main filter and a prefilter are provided. A valve is provided for opening and closing an opening so that the air stream so that if desired an air stream can be directed through a filter insert in the prefilter for emptying the prefilter into the main filter. According to the method, an air stream that is used for aspirating sectioning waste from a blade region of the microtome is shut off immediately before emptying the prefilter.

Abstract: A device for sampling chemical compounds from fixed surfaces and related methods are disclosed. The device may include a vacuum source, a chamber and a sorbent material. The device may utilize vacuum extraction to volatilize the chemical compounds from a fixed surface so that they may be sorbed by the sorbent material. The sorbent material may then be analyzed using conventional thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS) instrumentation to determine presence of the chemical compounds. The methods may include detecting release and presence of one or more chemical compounds and determining the efficacy of decontamination. The device may be useful in collection and analysis of a variety of chemical compounds, such as residual chemical warfare agent, chemical attribution signatures and toxic industrial chemicals.

Abstract: A diagnostic tape cassette especially for blood sugar tests comprises a test tape which is provided with a plurality of test fields for analysing body fluid, and a housing for receiving the test tape. The housing may have at least one housing part formed from a metal support and moulded-on plastic with integrated functional elements.

Abstract: A sampling device that contains a heated porous inlet and a transfer line. The device provides sample compounds present as vapor, liquid, or solid, in air, or on surfaces such as soil. The sample device can collect and deliver the sample to an analyzer in real time and can operate while in motion such as on a moving vehicle. The sampling device is especially useful to screen toxic and hazardous compounds that might be contaminating an inhabited area.

Abstract: A sample system withdraws a sample of unburned flare gas from a feed line and delivers a liquid free sample to a high pressure gas chromatograph for analysis. In one embodiment, the sample system may be fitted with an automatic insertion system. In other embodiments, the sample system may be static or have manual insertion. The sample system includes a liquid separator to separate liquids from the sample. In one embodiment, the sample system is housed in an insulated and heated cabinet to prevent condensation of liquids as the sample moves through the sample system.

Abstract: The invention relates to the extraction of a frozen hydrated sample for TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) inspection, such as a vitrified biological sample, from a substrate and the attaching of said sample to a manipulator. Such a hydrated sample should be held at a cryogenic temperature to avoid ice formation. By melting or sublimating a part of the sample material outside the area to be studied in the TEM and freezing the material to the manipulator (10), a bond is formed between sample (1) and manipulator. This makes it possible to transport the sample from the substrate to e.g. a TEM grid. In a preferred embodiment a part (2) of the manipulator (10) is held at a cryogenic temperature, and the melting or sublimation is caused by heating the tip (3) of the manipulator by electric heating of the tip and then cooling the tip of the manipulator to a cryogenic temperature, thereby freezing the sample (1) to the manipulator.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for combining a soil sample and extractant in a mixing chamber to produce a liquid extractant-soil mixture. A portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture is directed from the mixing chamber through a sample measurement chamber coupled to the mixing chamber. The sample measurement chamber is coupled to a light source so that light propagates from the light source through the portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture to an optical detector which generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The sample measurement chamber may include an attenuation cell having a specified optical path between a first measurement window and a second measurement window and angular surface directing particulates in the liquid extractant-soil mixture away from the attenuation cell.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for obtaining a sample of a fluid solids, such as a coke and hydrocarbon mixture, from a fluid solids process is provided. A sample vessel is provided that contains a first end, a second end, an aperture in the first end and an interior cavity. A cooling device can be provided for cooling material in the interior cavity of the sampling vessel. In operation, fluid solids can be routed through the aperture and collected in the interior cavity. The collected sample material can then be cooled by the cooling device and used for testing.

Abstract: This invention provides a pre-concentrator device including an electrostatically operated valve and an electrically heated desorber, the electrostatically operated valve comprising a movable flap or membrane carrying a chemically adsorbing coating, suspended by an elastic element above an orifice in an insulated substrate. The device is constructed by planer processing. The flap or membrane can be deflected towards the substrate to block the flow of gas through the orifice by applying a voltage between the substrate and the membrane. The coating provides an adsorbing surface for a volatile organic compound. The coating may be heated electrically, by applying an alternating voltage between the substrate and the flap, thermally desorbing any adsorbed chemical species. When combined with other similar valves in a stacked assembly, the device may be used in a chemical pre-concentrator with very low dead volume.

Abstract: An analyte collection system device includes an active area that includes a plurality of perforations extending therethrough. The plurality of perforations are arranged to permit passage of an analyte fluid flow through the microscale plate. A heating element is provided for heating the active area, and a thermal distribution layer is disposed over at least a portion of the active area. For cooling the active area at or below an ambient temperature, an active cooler is provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for chemical warfare agent detection training are provided. More particularly, methods and apparatus are provided to simulate the detection of low volatility chemical warfare agents by simulating the use of currently fielded U.S. Army detection kits without exposure to hazardous agents. A simulant is disposed in a sample heating assembly. The sample heating assembly is placed over a detection window of a detector, and the simulant is heated in order to make a simulated detection.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to realize high-accuracy analysis of a flue gas in terms of a trace amount of ammonia so as to control the level of ammonia gas to be added to a flue gas NOx removal apparatus. Since the ammonia gas to be determined is a highly absorbable, the gas component is considerably adsorbed on a surface of the flue gas sampling tube during sampling of flue gas. When a conventional sampling method including heating a gas sampling tube is employed, the amount of sampled gas is reduced through adsorption during gas sampling, failing to obtain concentration values at high accuracy. Thus, a high-accuracy gas sampling method replacing a conventional, heating-based method includes completely washing out, with an absorption liquid therefor serving as a washing liquid, a target ammonia gas deposited on the inner wall of a flue gas sampling tube (2), whereby the gas component is thoroughly collected. Through analysis of the thus-obtained washing liquid, high-accuracy analysis can be attained.

Abstract: A detection system for identifying an unknown substance includes a detector assembly configured to receive a particulate or vapor and determine a substance contained within the collected vapor or particulate sample, and at least one heater element operatively coupled in flow communication with the detector assembly. The heater element is configured to attract an airborne vapor when the detection system is in a vapor mode, and desorb at least a portion of the attracted particulate when the detection system is in a particulate mode.

Abstract: Volatile suspended particles are eliminated from an aerosol by heating the aerosol to a temperature at which the volatile suspended particles evaporate and diluting the aerosol with a dilution gas. The sequence heating and diluting may be performed in any order. According to another aspect of the invention, dilution of the raw gas takes place such that raw gas is led to a measurement gas channel through which measurement gas flows, wherein the quantity of raw gas transferred per unit of time is dependent on the volume flow in the raw gas channel. According to a further aspect of the invention, in a condensation nucleus counter the number and intensity of scattered light pulses evaluated in order to be able to draw conclusions on the reliability of the measurement.

Abstract: A desorber for use with a chemical ionisation mass spectrometer comprises a body portion that has a cavity formed therein, the cavity being arranged to receive a sample collector, the sample collector being preferably carried by a holding device that can be slid in and out of the cavity. The body portion includes an air intake passage in communication with the cavity and at least one heating element arranged to heat air drawn through the air intake passage into the cavity.

Abstract: The present application relates to a surface-coated SPME with an extracting tip that resists breaking during analysis. Rather than utilizing a hollow fiber tip, a resilient surface coated rod is utilized. Specifically, several grooves are machined into the tip of the SPME device, allowing an adsorbent material to be retained thereon. The resulting surface coated SPME device is more rugged in laboratory use and allows for testing of analytes in chemical environments that result in failures when using fiber tipped SPME devices.

Abstract: A method of sampling and confining chemical contaminations intended for the chemical analysis of contaminations in particulate and/or molecular form with prior adsorption by a support or trapping in a liquid. The adsorbent support or the contaminated liquid is then held in position in a closed box or sealed container having chemically inert walls. The outside of the closed box or sealed container is brought into contact with a gas at a higher pressure than the pressure inside the box or container and then the temperature inside the closed box or sealed container is regulated from an environment external to the gas.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a probe assembly comprising a flange assembly, a probe platform, a platform extension, an extension enclosure, and a fluid coupling assembly is provided. The fluid coupling assembly comprises a removable portion and a retained portion. An engaging interface of the retained portion cooperates with an engaging interface of the removable portion such that, with engagement of the removable and retained portions, respective fluid passages of the removable and retained portions form one or more integrated fluid channels configured to permit passage of fluid through the fluid coupling assembly. The probe assembly is configured such that the probe platform, the platform extension, and the removable portion of the fluid coupling assembly are interconnected and are configured to be withdrawn simultaneously from the probe assembly independent of the retained portion of the fluid coupling assembly.

Abstract: A probe for measuring mercury emissions in a flue gas. The probe contains a novel cartridge for holding one or more sorbent traps, which cartridge is easily removed and inserted on-site with reduced danger of sorbent trap damage.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides a monitoring device that includes a condensation unit and a detector, such as a proportional detector. The condensation unit includes a condensation surface, a cooler abutting the condensation surface, and a collection vessel in fluid communication with the condensation surface. The monitoring device may include a decomposition reactor, such as an electrolytic reactor or a reactor that includes an active metal, such as an alloy of sodium and potassium. Particular implementations include a housing that at least partially encloses the condensation unit. The housing may include an aperture, which may be covered by a screen, mesh, or filter. The housing may also include a fan. The fan is used, in some examples, to draw air through the aperture. The monitoring device is, in some implementations, configured for remote operation, such as including a power supply or transmitter.

Abstract: A device and a method for the adjustment of a temperature of a liquid which is contained in one or more sample vessels are specified, a control unit and a temperature adjustment unit being provided, which acts on the liquid contained in the sample vessels. Furthermore, the control unit is operatively connected to the temperature adjustment unit. The liquid to be analyzed contains absorption elements in order to accelerate the temperature adjustment in the liquid to be analyzed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for collecting and storing an atmospheric sample for eventual analysis, where the atmospheric sample includes a mixture of at least a matrix and an analyte. In one implementation, the system includes a housing; a sample cartridge removably attached to the housing, and a pump integrated with the housing and in fluid communication with the sample cartridge, the pump being configured to draw the atmospheric sample through the sample cartridge and to subsequently evacuate the matrix from the sample cartridge. The sample cartridge includes a low thermal mass cylinder with a first end and a second end; an inlet port with a gas-tight inlet valve at the first end of the cylinder, an outlet port with a gas-tight outlet valve at the second end of the cylinder, and a sorbent material disposed within the cylinder and adapted to trap the analyte from the atmospheric sample.

Abstract: A system for sampling emission products from an emissions source, for example combustion engines including gasoline, diesel and natural gas engines, for subsequent measurement and analysis of the emission products. The system includes a dilution apparatus, a residence time chamber, a plurality of sampling probes within the residence time chamber, and a plurality of sampling trains connected to the sampling probes to take simultaneous representative emission samples for subsequent analysis. The system has particular use in quantifying chemical and toxic trace species from emissions sources. The results of the analysis can be used to formulate decisions on changes in engine design strategy, and can be used to determine the effectiveness of aftertreatment systems on the emissions source.

Abstract: A hand held detector system that has a housing with a passage that can receive a sample, and a concentrator that captures the sample. The hand held system further includes a single detector coupled to the concentrator and a fluid system that provides fluid communication between the housing passage and the concentrator, and between the concentrator and the detector. The system is powered by a battery. The system may include a controller that heats the concentrator with a temperature profile that causes a first trace molecule to desorb at a time different from the desorption of a second trace molecule. The system and components may be powered by a battery.

Abstract: Provided is a microchip including a substrate, a channel on the substrate, a lid sealing the channel, and an upper lid bonded to the lid. The lid is formed of an elastic material. The lid is detachable from the substrate. The upper lid is formed of a material harder than the elastic material. The area of the upper lid surface that is bonded to the lid is smaller than the area of the upper surface of the lid.

Abstract: A micro fluid analyzer that may be highly sensitive, fast and very compact. The analyzer may use sufficiently low power per analysis to be easily implemented with an equivalently small battery pack or other portable power source. There may be energy conservation features in the analyzer, such as optimal adsorber film thicknesses in the pre-concentrator, concentrator and chromatographic separators. There may be special timing of the phased heating elements in the concentrators and separators to further reduce energy consumption. Various kinds of detectors and sensors may be incorporated in the analyzer for achieving low probability for false positives and detection versatility. There may be a controller that provides data acquisition and analyses, drive signals for control, management of wireless signal transmission and reception, processing, and other operational uses of the micro analyzer.

Abstract: A system and methodology for the trace detection of organic explosives is described. The detector system combines a separation system, such as a gas chromatograph to separate the components of an explosive mixture, with a pyrolysis detector. In operation, effluent from the separation system is pyrolyzed and the fragments produced on pyrolysis of the explosive compound are then detected. The small molecule fragments exhibit sharply banded, characteristic spectrum, enabling detection of the explosive materials. The system is tested using the explosive materials nitrobenzene and 2,4-dinitrotoluene, and with the nitramine explosive tetryl. Detection limits are 25 ng for nitrobenzene, and 50 ng for 2,4-dinitrotoluene. Tetryl is detected with a detection limit of 50 ng.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for collecting particles from air comprises a cyclone having air inlet and outlet means, means maintaining an airflow there through and means delivering a collecting fluid from a reservoir to particles separated from the air flow in the cyclone, in which the air inlet means is associated with means for heating the incoming air. The apparatus, which is optionally provided with enclosure means for trapping heat, prevents freezing of the collecting fluid at temperatures near to and even below 0° C.

Abstract: IMS apparatus has a preconcentrator (20) connected at the inlet (2) of an IMS detector (1) such that all gas supplied to the detector flows through the preconcentrator. The preconcentrator comprises a metal tube (21) having a layer of silicone rubber (24) exposed on its inner surface (25). An electrical resistance heating element (22) extends under the silicone rubber layer (24) and is connected to a power source (23) such that the silicone rubber layer can be periodically heated to desorb substances absorbed by the layer and release them to flow to the IMS detector 1 at a higher concentration. The silicone rubber (24) can operate in the desorption phase in the presence of air without degradation.

Abstract: This invention describes a multi-stage pre-concentrator device for use with a detector system. One pre-concentrator stage is detachable and may be used to collect sample remotely from the detection system. The detachable pre-concentrator stage mates with the detector system and can transfer its desorbed sample to another pre-concentrator stage which also incorporates the functions of a sample loop serving as an injection volume to the separation column of an analytical instrument. In one embodiment the fixed pre-concentrator stage serves as a sample loop that preferably integrates suitable valves with sorbent materials onto the same structure to minimise dead volume, maximise sensitivity, improving column loading efficiency, reducing duty cycles and minimising detection system response time.

Abstract: Arrangements for withdrawing carefully controlled samples from an active flue gas source are disclosed. A testing assembly is provided for connection to downstream processing equipment to obtain a sample from a gas stream. Included is a probe, a flexible sample line and a coupler joining the probe and the flexible sample line. At least one externally controlled or self-regulating heating cable is put in heating communication with the flexible line. A receptacle engaging the coupler is also provided for positioning the probe with respect to the flue gas source.

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.