System has been used for problems such as analysis of volatile metabolities in human blood and urine, analysis of air pollutants, and in tobacco smoke chemistry. Since adsorbent is reusable after porper reconditioning, method is both convenient and economical. System could be used for large scale on-site sampling programs in which sample is shipped to central location for analysis

Zlatkis, A.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Prec 
Chilled Water
Carrier 
Gas 
Togg 
Urine Sample (100 ml
	
Switch 
in 500 ml Container) 
Trap Insert 
Teflon Sleeve
let 
December 1973
	
B73-10406 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Gas Chromotography of Volatile Organic Compounds 
A new gas chromotographic sampling system has been 
applied successfully to a wide range of volatile organic 
compounds. Trace quantities of substances with carbon 
numbers up to C 18 can be concentrated easily on a new 
commercially available porous polymer, 2 ,6-diphenyl-p-
phenylene oxide. The main characteristics of this ad-
sorbent are excellent temperature stability (up to 
370° C), inertness, and ease of handling. 
Besides gases and air, samples also can be obtained 
from aqueous media by headspace techniques, using a 
simple water-cooled condenser (Figure 1) to prevent
water from entering the packing. This arrangement 
allows the sample to be heated to increase the con-
centration of volatiles, without any loss of sample 
constituents. Once trapped on the adsorbent, the 
sample can be stored at room temperature over a period 
of weeks, if necessary, without apparent changes. 
The adsorbent is contained in a standardized glass 
tube, which can be inserted in a specially-designed 
heated injector block. The volatiles are desorbed at 
3000 C and carried onto a short precoated capillary 
column (Figure 2), which is kept at the temperature 
• 
Water Bath
	 Modified Injector Port 
Figure 2. Sample Transfer and Analysis 
Hotplate 
of dry ice (-80° Q. After completion of sample transfer 
(approximately 10 mm), the coolant is removed, the 
main trap is connected to the analytical capillary 
column, and the separation is started. 
The system has been used for problems such as the 
analysis of volatile metabolites inhuman blood and urine, 
.
	
Figure 1. Aqueous Sampler
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19730000406 2020-03-17T07:28:15+00:00Z
the analysis of air pollutants; and in tobacco smoke 
chemistry. Since the adsorbent is reusable after proper 
reconditioning (350° C), the method is both convenient 
and economical. Furthermore, because the sample can 
be stored for several weeks, this system could be used 
for large scale on-site sampling programs in which the 
sample is shipped to a central location for analysis. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Johnson Space Center 
Code JM7 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Reference: TSP73-10406
Patent status: 
Inquiries concerning rights for the commercial use 
of this invention should be addressed to: 
Patent Counsel 
Johnson Space Center 
Code AM 
Houston, Texas 77058
Source: A. Zlatkis of
University of Houston
under contract to

Johnson Space Center
(MSC-14428) 
B7340406	 Category 04


Gas chromatography of volatile organic compounds

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