Selective, high speed detection of vapors with analysis of multiple GC-separated portions
US5268302A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/255
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for selective, high speed detection of vapors of specific gas-chromatographically-separable compounds. In the disclosed method separate analyses are performed on two portions of a gas sample formed by flash-heating trapped vapors to successively higher temperatures while flowing hydrogen carrier gas over coatings in/on which the vapors are held. Within a total time interval of about twenty seconds 1) two sample portions are formed, 2) each portion is rapidly separated in two series-connected, high speed, temperature-programmed gas chromatographs, and 3) specific compounds are identified by detection of NO gas formed during an oxidative pyrolysis of each separated portion. One application of the described method and apparatus is the rapid, selective, and sensitive detection of nitrogen-containing compounds such as the drugs methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.