title: Evaluation of Microwave-Assisted Process technology for HAPSITE's headspace analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
abstract: The use of microwave energy as a heating source for the field-based headspace sampling and the subsequent determination of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using a field-portable HAPSITE gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer has been evaluated. A significant advantage in time reduction has been observed when using microwave energy when compared to conventional resistive-based heating. Such time savings are critical in field operations involving equipment such as the HAPSITE where non-routine sampling is commonly performed and very quick turnaround time is usually needed. Further, the technology also showed significant improvements in terms of sensitivity, thus suggesting its applicability to a broader range of compounds and detection levels than current technologies.
authors.affiliation: Environment Canada, Green Technologies Division, 335 River Road, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A 0H3. Jacqueline.Belanger@ec.gc.ca
authors.forename: Jacqueline M R
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bélanger
authors.forename: J R Jocelyn
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Paré
authors.forename: Rodney
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Turpin
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chuang
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008872:Microwaves; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals