Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Portable Analytical Instrument for Monitoring of Volatile Organic Compound in Complex Backgrounds
EPA Contract Number: 68HERC21C0017Title: Portable Analytical Instrument for Monitoring of Volatile Organic Compound in Complex Backgrounds
Investigators: Viugina, Elena
Small Business: Adelphi Technology, LLC.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2021 through August 31, 2021
Project Amount: $100,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Air Monitoring and Remote Sensing , SBIR - Air Quality , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
The goal of this project is to build a compact, portable, and robust battery-powered analytical instrument for monitoring of ultra-low concentrations of VOCs. The device, based on the combination of integrated chemical sensors and miniaturized gas chromatography, will enable lab-quality analysis quickly in the field. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are harmful to both health and the environment, so management of the risks associated with VOCs necessitates accurate and reliable monitoring.
The instrument developed is based on principles of analytical gas chromatography (GC) and has high environmental tolerance to impact, temperature, humidity, and contamination. The key advantages of the technology are the utilization of scrubbed ambient air as a carrier gas and the utilization of novel multisensory highly integrated platform as a GC detector. The detector's short response and recovery time together with ultra-high sensitivity allowed us to obtain high-resolution chromatograms for analytes of interest effectively extracting them from the background of any complexity with a single compact GC column. Special attention was given to robustness and user friendliness of the device, so that a person with minimal technical skills could operate it with ease and confidence.
The goal of the Phase I research was to show the viability of a portable high accuracy gas analyzer. This was accomplished through the following objectives and their associated tasks:
1. Sampling system of VOC analyzer was miniaturized. Weight and size limitations were identified.
2. The range of detectible chemicals and measurable concentrations was determined.
3. Complete portability and ease of use was achieved by eliminating a laptop from design. Computer-based data acquisition software was replaced with built-in user-friendly firmware for automatic identification and quantification of VOCs.
4. Analyzer in continuous operation for several weeks in industrial & non-industrial setting. Analyzer performance and environmental tolerance were evaluated.
5. User's guide for VOC analyzer was developed.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
The Phase I research demonstrated the viability of the instrument by establishing a large range of detectible chemicals, making the instrument more portable, and performing continuously in outdoor and indoor settings over several weeks. The size of the device was decreased by reducing the size of individual components, optimizing the internal architecture, and by eliminating a control laptop and replacing it with built in firmware and an automatic identification and quantification algorithm. The device was reduced to a 11" x 10" x 5" volume with no external control computer necessary. The choice of gas chromatography columns and internal operating temperatures was used to achieve ppb detection limits for 14 different VOCs. These VOCs were measured and detection limits were verified to range from 0.5 ppb for butyraldehyde to 250 ppb for acetone. The VOC analyzer was validated by testing the air quality on a heavily traffic road over two weeks and by collecting samples from the duct hood of a commercial kitchen Measurements near traffic showed over 100x increase in pollutants during heavy traffic with concentrations of carbon monoxide, benzene, toluene, acetaldehyde, and other VOCs exceeding several ppm. Measurements of exhaust from an industrial kitchen showed the device was capable of ppb measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and demonstrated harmful levels of naphthalene, acenaphthene, and fluorene were present in the exhaust. A user's guide for the device was written as well.
Conclusions:
The production and testing of a prototype that achieved a small hand held form factor while detecting fourteen VOCs to ppb concentrations demonstrated feasibility for a Phase II full featured device that can be used to monitor VOCs and other pollutants in the field.
As no portable device for laboratory quality analysis in the field presently exist, the Adelphi instrument can create a market for a new kind of control and safety instrument. The unique combination of gas chromatography and specialized electronic multi-sensors provides a competitive advantage. Customers range from indoor air quality analysis and environmental monitoring to geochemical exploration.
Agreements for on-site testing have been made with three customers, including a large nationwide firm. Tentative agreements have been reached to provide manufacturing under license.
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.