Application of Thermal Desorption, Broadband Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy for In-Field Measurements of Speciated VOCs

AURELIE MARCOTTE, Michael Armen, Jake Margolis, Anthony Miller, Entanglement Technologies, Inc

     Abstract Number: 601
     Working Group: Exhibitor and Instrument Application Showcase

Abstract
In-field, real-time analysis for measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including air toxics or hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), at relevant ambient air concentrations is growing in popularity as it has many advantages over traditional methods (e.g. grab samples followed by lab analysis). This presentation will review the application of Entanglement Technologies’ AROMA analyzer, a thermal desorption, broadband cavity ring-down spectroscopy (TD-CRDS) system used to measure a variety of air toxics and contaminants of emerging concern (e.g. ethylene oxide). AROMA provides real-time part-per-trillion chemical detection in ambient air, soil gas, sewer headspace, and other complex, real-world sampling environments. TD-CRDS is particularly well suited to air quality measurements where real-time, laboratory-grade results enable rapid decision making as well as where mobility and long-term stand-alone operation provide significant advantages over traditional sampling methodologies. The intrinsic stability of the CRDS analyzer core minimizes maintenance and calibration requirements greatly reducing instrument operation overhead. Specific topics to be covered in the presentation include AROMA analyzer development and performance validation to measure benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene(s) (BTEX), ethylene oxide, trichloroethylene, and other VOCs at relevant atmospheric concentrations. Results from ambient air monitoring campaigns from locations across the U.S. will also be included.