The invention relates to a method and apparatus for evaluating reaction molecular byproducts of pyrotechnic reactions. A closed calorimetry bomb holds pyrotechnic material, which is detonated by a charge. The calorimetry bomb is vented directly into a gas chromatography machine, where gas phase molecules are separated based on their polarity. The separated molecules are then injected into a mass spectrometer and characterized by their mass fragmentation. The remaining residual solids within the bomb are extracted and injected into a liquid chromatography instrument where they are separated by their polarity. The separated molecules are then injected into a mass spectrometer and characterized by their mass fragmentation pattern. The method provides a complete picture of the reaction pathways and products to aid in regulatory compliance of incorporating energetic materials into real-world applications, particularly those in the family of PFAS containing compositions.

The present invention is directed to a method and device to desorb an analyte using heat to allow desorption of the analyte molecules, where the desorbed analyte molecules are ionized with ambient temperature ionizing species. In various embodiments of the invention a current is passed through a mesh upon which the analyte molecules are present. The current heats the mesh and results in desorption of the analyte molecules which then interact with gas phase metastable neutral molecules or atoms to form analyte ions characteristic of the analyte molecules.

The present invention is directed to a method and device to desorb an analyte using heat to allow desorption of the analyte molecules, where the desorbed analyte molecules are ionized with ambient temperature ionizing species. In various embodiments of the invention a current is passed through a mesh upon which the analyte molecules are present. The current heats the mesh and results in desorption of the analyte molecules which then interact with gas phase metastable neutral molecules or atoms to form analyte ions characteristic of the analyte molecules.

A gas ionization chamber, includes a first electrode, a fence electrode disposed below the first electrode, a second electrode disposed below the fence electrode, a first dielectric layer disposed between the first electrode and the fence electrode, and a second dielectric layer disposed between the fence electrode and the second electrode. The first and second electrodes, and the first and second dielectric layers include a plurality of aligned holes forming channels configured to permit gas flow between the first electrode to the second electrode through an opening in the fence electrode, the plurality of aligned holes being arranged in a pattern having a central region with a first set of aligned holes and a peripheral region having a second set of aligned holes, and wherein a diameter of at least one hole of the first set of aligned holes is less than or equal to about 0.5 millimeters.

A degree of similarity in the peak pattern between a mass spectrum obtained for an unknown target substance in a sample and a mass spectrum of a known specific substance is calculated (S4). If the degree of similarity is within a range of 80-60% (“No” in S6), the ratio between the signal intensities at two mass-to-charge ratios characteristic of the specific substance is calculated and compared with a reference value (S7 and S8). If the intensity ratio exceeds the reference value, the target substance is likely to be the specific substance. Therefore, as in the case where the degree of similarity is equal to or higher than 80%, it is concluded that the specific substance is contained in the sample (S10). In advance of such a judgment, whether or not the sample has been certainly subjected to the mass spectrometric analysis is determined from a graph of the total ion current signal created from data collected by performing a measurement from a point in time before the sample is placed at a measurement position (S2 and S3). If no significant peak is present in the graph, it is concluded that a sample introduction error has occurred (S11). By such a method, a higher level of qualitative determination accuracy can be achieved than in a conventional qualitative analysis using only the degree of similarity.

A degree of similarity in the peak pattern between a mass spectrum obtained for an unknown target substance in a sample and a mass spectrum of a known specific substance is calculated (S4). If the degree of similarity is within a range of 80-60% (“No” in S6), the ratio between the signal intensities at two mass-to-charge ratios characteristic of the specific substance is calculated and compared with a reference value (S7 and S8). If the intensity ratio exceeds the reference value, the target substance is likely to be the specific substance. Therefore, as in the case where the degree of similarity is equal to or higher than 80%, it is concluded that the specific substance is contained in the sample (S10). In advance of such a judgment, whether or not the sample has been certainly subjected to the mass spectrometric analysis is determined from a graph of the total ion current signal created from data collected by performing a measurement from a point in time before the sample is placed at a measurement position (S2 and S3). If no significant peak is present in the graph, it is concluded that a sample introduction error has occurred (S11). By such a method, a higher level of qualitative determination accuracy can be achieved than in a conventional qualitative analysis using only the degree of similarity.

A flame ionization detector includes a burner to combust an oxygen-containing sample gas in a gas flame in the presence of air and while supplying a hydrogen-containing combustion gas. A measurement device measures an ion current from the gas flame to an electrode, and a temperature sensor measures a temperature of the gas flame. An evaluation device evaluates the measured ion current and compensates during evaluation of the measured ion current for a cross-sensitivity of the ion current to oxygen in the sample gas using the measured temperature of the gas flame.

A flame ionization detector includes a burner to combust an oxygen-containing sample gas in a gas flame in the presence of air and while supplying a hydrogen-containing combustion gas. A measurement device measures an ion current from the gas flame to an electrode, and a temperature sensor measures a temperature of the gas flame. An evaluation device evaluates the measured ion current and compensates during evaluation of the measured ion current for a cross-sensitivity of the ion current to oxygen in the sample gas using the measured temperature of the gas flame.

A portable ion mobility spectrometry apparatus (1) for detecting an aerosol and a method for using the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an ion mobility spectrometer (3); a portable power source (5) carried by the apparatus for providing power to the apparatus (1); an inlet (7) for collecting a flow of air to be tested by the spectrometer (3); a heater (4) configured to heat the air to be tested to vapourise an aerosol carried by the air and a controller (2) configured to control the spectrometer (3) to obtain samples from the heated air, wherein the controller is configured to increase a heat output from the heater (4) for a selected time period before obtaining samples from the heated air.

A portable ion mobility spectrometry apparatus (1) for detecting an aerosol and a method for using the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an ion mobility spectrometer (3); a portable power source (5) carried by the apparatus for providing power to the apparatus (1); an inlet (7) for collecting a flow of air to be tested by the spectrometer (3); a heater (4) configured to heat the air to be tested to vapourise an aerosol carried by the air and a controller (2) configured to control the spectrometer (3) to obtain samples from the heated air, wherein the controller is configured to increase a heat output from the heater (4) for a selected time period before obtaining samples from the heated air.