Abstract: The present invention is directed both to an improved in situ penetrometer probe and to a heated, flexible transfer line. The line and probe may be implemented together in a penetrometer system in which the transfer line is used to connect the probe to a collector/analyzer at the surface. The probe comprises a heater that controls a temperature of a geologic medium surrounding the probe. At least one carrier gas port and vapor collection port are located on an external side wall of the probe. The carrier gas port provides a carrier gas into the geologic medium, and the collection port captures vapors from the geologic medium for analysis. In the transfer line, a flexible collection line that conveys a collected fluid, i.e., vapor, sample to a collector/analyzer. A flexible carrier gas line conveys a carrier gas to facilitate the collection of the sample. A system heating the collection line is also provided.

Abstract: A device and method for the continuous on-line or discrete off-line concentration and measurement of organic compound contaminants in a fluid sample stream is disclosed, in which an adsorbent trap means, which may be a tube of metal packed with an adsorbent composition such as a carbon-based composition, is used to adsorb the organic compound contaminants, while venting out permanent gases, such as CO, CO2, N2, O2, NO2, SO2, CH4, and H2O. The adsorbent trap means is capable of rapid heating and cooling, and when a pulse of electrical energy or microwave energy is applied thereto, the adsorbed organic compound contaminants are rapidly desorbed therefrom; after which they are carried to a detector means for measuring the organic compound contaminants. Embodiments are included in which gas chromatography (GC) is not employed.

Abstract: An method of, and an apparatus for, collecting a sample of a substance of interest, utilizes an apparatus having a device for collecting a vapor sample and a device for retaining a substrate. A substrate, having a working portion and a mounting portion, is mounted by the mounting portion of the substrate, whereby the working portion of the substrate is exposed for use. The apparatus so that the working portion of the substrate traverses surfaces of interest, to collect a particulate sample. A device for sampling vapor is operated to obtain a vapor sample. The vapor and particulate samples collected are analyzed.

Abstract: A gas sampler (1) for a portable gas analyser, having a cooler or chiller (8) through which cooler or chiller (8) the gas sample is passed prior to being conveyed to a gas analyser, has the cooler or chiller (8) operable by means other than electrical power. The invention also includes a portable gas analyser provided with such a sampler (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extraction, analysis and measuring method and system intended for constituents carried along by a well fluid during drilling operations. The system comprises in combination: draw-off means (4) for taking a volume of the fluid, extraction means (3) for extracting in vapour form the constituents contained in the fluid, comprising a space placed under underpressure, a transport line (14), sampling means (27) comprising a sampling loop allowing to take a determined amount of the vapors circulating in the line, distribution means (40) that inject the amount into analysis and measuring means (31), control means (33) for controlling the temperature of the sampling means so as to prevent condensation of said amount of vapors.

Abstract: A device samples chemicals adsorbed to a surface by applying a pulse of fluid to desorb the particles adhered to the surface. After the pulse of fluid, the region above the surface is enriched with particles dislodged from the surface. Suction is applied in the region above the surface to collect these dislodged particles, which are then transferred to a chemical detector for detection, identification, and quantification. A pulsed air sampler collects particles adhered to a surface and delivers the particles to a chemical sensor. An outlet ejects a fluid, preferably gas, pulse to dislodge particles from the surface and thereby enrich the density of particles above the surface. An inlet collects the dislodged particles for delivery to the chemical sensor.

Abstract: A device for analyzing organic compounds, particularly in aqueous and gaseous samples, constituted by a duct which is supplied in input by a gas whose pressure can be controlled by means of a regulator connected to a capillary column which is connected in output to a detector for the organic compounds; an adsorbent polymer immersed in a container is interposed between a first portion and a second portion of the capillary column, and the device comprises, between the second portion and a third portion, means for concentrating the organic compounds; the container contains an aqueous or gaseous sample which interacts with the adsorbent polymer adapted to extract the organic compounds conveyed by the gas in passing through the adsorbent polymer toward the concentration means in order to be measured by the detector.

Abstract: A headspace instrument (10, 70) operates to equilibrate a vapor phase of a headspace sample in a sample loop (40, 74). The sample is equilibrated by flow through the headspace between variable volume chambers (28, 50, 86, 90). The volume of the variable volume chambers are changed in coordinated relation so that a constant total volume is always maintained. An aliquot of the equilibrated sample in the sample loop is delivered to an analytical instrument. The headspace instrument enables delivering a vapor sample from a headspace under conditions which do not disturb the thermodynamic equilibrium between the vapor phase and the non-vapor phase of the sample and avoids having the sampling process impact the results of the analysis. Alternative forms of the headspace instrument enable the conduct of concentration dependent processes and absorption and desorption experiments.

Abstract: A system for the retrieval and initial conditioning of sample gas for “on line” analyzers or filling of gas sample cylinders. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a system configured to obtain a representative gas phase sample from a process gas containing entrained liquid, or a process gas which generally is highly susceptible to partial condensation of some gas phase components. The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches an assembly including a phase separation membrane and housing configured to facilitate the removal of entrained liquid from a sample gas stream. Accuracy of the sample is enhanced, and compositional changes are avoided by first extracting a sample from the process gas followed by removal of entrained liquid it may contain, with the entrained liquid removal being conducted at the prevailing process gas pressure and temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying and analyzing vapor elements, using a preconcentrator collector. The preconcentrator collector collects and preconcentrates chemical vapors to be detected and identified before chromatographic analysis using surface acoustic wave gas chromatograph (SAW/GC) technology. The preconcentrator collector is used in conjunction with a sensor in an SAW/GC detector in the apparatus. A physical parameter associated with the sensor changes in a defined manner upon exposure of the sensor to an unknown vapor, permitting identification of the individual vapor elements. The preconcentrator collector of the invention includes a body portion having an inlet and an outlet, and a stack of collector plates disposed in the body portion. The collector plates are made of a material that is easily micromachinable and easily cleanable, such as silicon, silica or fused quartz.

Abstract: A film-type vaporizer in a vaporization enclosure, for example the upper column of a double air-distillation column, is associated with a measurement and analysis box where a polished surface and a spillway reconstruct the flow of liquid in the vaporizer in order to check for the absence of the deposition of impurities in the liquid that is to be evaporated. If deposition occurs, the impurities involved are quantified and analyzed and appropriate action taken on the settings of the machine.

Abstract: A process for sampling aldehydes and ketones contained in diluted exhaust gases from thermal combustion engines uses a sampling unit that has a specific trapping circuit and a simulation circuit that simulates the specific trapping circuit. The specific trapping circuit and the simulation circuit are arranged in parallel. The diluted gases are passed for some time in the simulation circuit (5) before they are passed into specific trapping circuit wherein aldehydes and ketones are trapped.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting outgassed compounds during a dynamic headspace outgassing test includes placing a component to be tested within a sample container formed from an inert material and placing the container within an oven to heat the component. A gas inflow line directs a flow of inert gas to envelop the component within the sample container and mix with the compounds outgassed from the component. An outflow line formed from an inert material directs the mixture of inert gas and outgassed compounds from the sample container to a trap which separates the inert gas from the outgassed compounds and retains the outgassed compounds for further analysis. The sample container includes a body and a top formed from an inert material and fasteners securing the body and top together to seal the component within an interior chamber of the container.

Abstract: A method for supplying fertilizer to a lawn, garden, golf course, farm, field, or other agricultural growing area. The method may include the steps of obtaining a soil sample from the agricultural area, measuring a nutrient content of the soil sample with a soil analyzer device, obtaining data for the size of the agricultural area, and electronically calculating the fertilizer required for the agricultural area based upon the soil nutrient analysis and area size data. In certain embodiments, the measuring step may include the steps of passing water heated to a temperature of at least 90° C. through the sample under pressure of at least 2.0 bar, collecting the water passed through the sample, and analyzing the nutrients transferred from the soil to the water.

Abstract: An analysis system and method for a cleanroom environment is disclosed wherein on-line testing of water-soluble contaminants is performed by condensing water vapor from an air sample taken from the clean room. The condenser is connected to a analyzing unit that is used to measure and analyze the water-soluble contaminants in the condensed water received from the condensing unit.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a content of at least one element of a contained atmosphere for soldering or tinning with a metal alloy, comprising: at least one sampling line for taking a gas sample from the contained atmosphere; at least one analyzer for analyzing the element; at least one coalescence filter located on the sampling line upstream of the analyzer; wherein the sampling line comprises a portion, located between the contained atmosphere and the coalescence filter, wherein the formation of cold spots which could cause precipitation of solid or pasty compounds in the line portion is prevented; a detector of a blockage in the sampling line between the enclosure and the analyzer.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating vapor extraction from the headspace of a septum-sealed vial containing a sample to be analyzed. The vial is heated, driving dissolved volatile organics out of solution and into the vapor headspace. A first end of a hollow probe penetrates the septum of the sample vial and is submerged within the sample. The second end of the probe is connected to the first port of a two-port gas-tight valve. A first end of a flexible tube is connected to the second port of the valve. The second end of the tube is submerged in a heated liquid source. In one embodiment, the vapor is extracted from the vial through the septum by a vapor extraction means. During vapor extraction, the valve is opened, thereby connecting the vial to the heated liquid via the tube, thereby allowing the liquid to replace the vapor as it is extracted for analysis from the otherwise closed headspace volume. In an alternate embodiment, the heated liquid source is pressurized.

Abstract: A device samples chemicals adsorbed to a surface by applying a pulse of fluid to desorb the particles adhered to the surface. After the pulse of fluid, the region above the surface is enriched with particles dislodged from the surface. Suction is applied in the region above the surface to collect these dislodged particles, which are then transferred to a chemical detector for detection, identification, and quantification. A pulsed air sampler collects particles adhered to a surface and delivers the particles to a chemical sensor. An outlet ejects a fluid, preferably gas, pulse to dislodge particles from the surface and thereby enrich the density of particles above the surface. An inlet collects the dislodged particles for delivery to the chemical sensor.

Abstract: Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed. In preferred high-temperature embodiments, the polymer sample is maintained at a temperature of not less than about 75° C. during sample preparation, loading into a liquid chromatography or flow-injection analysis system, injection into a mobile phase of a liquid chromatography or flow-injection analysis system, and/or elution from chromatographic column. The described methods, systems, and device have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method for the detection of an analyte in air comprising an air sampling system (1) comprising a mouthpiece (10) and a fan, a first enrichment stage (11) for enrichment of the analyte comprising a thermally regulated adsorption/desorption filter (20) creating a non-laminar gas flow for adsorption of the analyte, a heat source for heating the filter to evaporate the analyte, a second enrichment stage (30) for the further enrichment of the gaseous analyte comprising a cold trap (32) for condensing the analyte, extraction of the condensed material with a solvent, and collecting the solution, and analyzing the collected liquid sample with an analytical detection system, are disclosed. Further, an adsoption/desorption filter creating a non-laminar gas flow comprising a winding (21) of a resistance wire coated with an active material electric heating of the wire, is described. A specific application is detection of a gaseous component of explosives or mines, e.g. TNT, in air.

Abstract: A manipulator apparatus, system and method for measuring analytes present in sample tubes.

Abstract: A method for producing and sampling chemical agent vapor comprising the steps of placing neat chemical agent in a reservoir, purging the chemical agent in the reservoir with a dry air, and analyzing the air stream exiting the reservoir. A MINICAMS having a removable PCT may be used to analyze the air stream exiting the reservoir. The method may further comprise the steps of changing the relative humidity conditions and testing chemical agent detectors.