Abstract
A ready-to-deploy implementation of microfabricated gas chromatography (μGC) system characterized for detecting hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) at parts-per-billion (ppb) concentrations in complex mixtures has been described. A microfabricated preconcentrator (μPC), a MEMS separation column with on-chip thermal conductivity detector (μSCTCD), the flow controller unit, and all the necessary flow and thermal management as well as user interface circuitry are integrated to realize the fully functional μGC system. The work reports extensive characterization of μPC, μSC and μTCD for target analytes: benzene, toluene, tetrachloroethylene, chlorobenzene, ethylbenzene, and p-xylene. Limit of Detection (LOD) of ~1 ng was achieved, which corresponds to 10 min sampling time at a flow rate of 1 mL/min for analyte present at ~25 ppbv concentration. An innovative method for generating very sharp injection plugs from the μPC even in the presence of flow sensitive detectors like μTCD is described. A one-to-one comparison between μGC system and conventional Automated Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatograph–Flame Ionization Detector (ATD GC-FID) system for real gasoline samples in simulated car refueling scenario is reported.
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