Motion sensitivity of flame ionization detectors

TL;DRAbstract

A portable gas chromatograph, using a single flame ionization detector, was constructed. The unit was tested for response to surge, sway and heave accelerations up to 0.3g. Also the detector's response was studied for roll and pitch up to 25 degrees with periods ranging from 3 to 20 seconds. The effect on the detector's response of variation in hydrocarbon concentrations in the parts per million range was investigated and response increased with increasing concentration. Samples containing 1, 10, 100, 1000, and 10,000 parts per million dodecane were analyzed, and under the higher accelerations trace distortion was evident for concentrations below 10 parts per million. Stationary isothermal chromatograms of a normal alkane sample (nC6 -nC32) were compared with those obtained under the various test conditions and no detectable difference in peak area (which represented approximately 1 microgram of the particular hydrocarbon) or retention time was evident. The limits -6 of detection for t

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