The New Jersey Institute of Technology's
Electronic Theses & Dissertations Project

Title:	A thermal desorption modulator for continuous monitoring of volatile organic compounds
Author:	Chen, Yun
View Online:	njit-etd1993-009 (ix, 56 pages ~ 2.2 MB pdf)
Department:	Department of Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Environmental Science
Degree:	Master of Science
Program:	Environmental Science
Document Type:	Thesis
Advisory Committee:	Mitra, S. (Committee chair) Kebbekus, Barbara B. (Committee member) Dauerman, Leonard (Committee member)
Date:	1993-01
Keywords:	Gas Chromatography Thermal Desorption Organic Compounds -- Environmental Aspects -- Measurement Organic Moderated Reactors
Availability:	Unrestricted
Abstract:	A thermal desorption modulator is made from a short segment of thin tubing containing an adsorbent or a chromatographic stationary phase. A carrier gas containing the analyte is introduced into the analytical column through the modulator which acts as a sample trap. Rapid electrical heating of the modulator releases a "concentration pulse" of the analyte and this serves as an injection similar to that from an injection valve. The modulator also acts as a sample preconcentrator and can be used to make repetitive injections every few seconds. In this research, the mechanism of thermal desorption modulator was studied and was used in continuously monitoring volatile organic pollutants.