The invention provides an apparatus for increasing a number concentration of molecules of an analyte of interest in real time from a sample gas flow containing ionised molecules of the analyte, aerosol particles and other molecules, the apparatus comprising: an ion-concentrating chamber having: an inlet for receiving the sample gas flow; an ion outlet; and at least one other outlet; the ion-concentrating chamber being connected or connectable to a gas flow generating and controlling device for establishing a gas flow velocity field within the ion-concentrating chamber to direct the aerosol particles and other molecules of the sample gas flow to the at least one other outlet; and one or more electrodes arranged in an axially spaced apart manner along the ion-concentrating chamber for creating an electric field within the ion-concentrating chamber to direct the ionised analyte molecules in the sample gas flow to the ion outlet, wherein the electrodes are configured such that an absolute value of the strength of the electric field increases progressively along the ion-concentrating chamber.

A sampler device for gas chromatography includes a first unit that supports and moves a second, single instrument holding unit carrying at least two instruments with respective control plungers for taking/inserting samples to be analyzed, and a third unit that actuates the plungers simultaneously. The first unit is mounted on a base and moves the second and third units along horizontal and vertical directions and between a first and a second station, at least one of which is defined beyond the plan encumbrance of the base. A control unit automatically controls the movement of the first unit between the first station, with the third unit controlled by the control unit to simultaneously take the samples to be analyzed by the two instruments, and the second station, with the third unit controlled by the control unit to simultaneously insert the previously taken samples within two distinct injectors of a gas chromatograph.

This portable air sampling apparatus includes a Venturi pump creating a vacuum in a suction inlet when compressed air circulates therein; a supply line supplying the Venturi pump with compressed air, including an electrovalve that controls circulation of compressed air in the supply line; a suction line to suction an air sample, having an air circulation member delimiting a chamber for removably receiving a substrate for capturing odorous molecules and suitable for circulating the suctioned air sample through the substrate; and an electronic unit, connected to the electrovalve, controlling its opening and closing so when the electrovalve is opened, compressed air circulates in the supply line through the electrovalve, while when the electrovalve is closed, compressed air circulation in the supply line, between upstream and downstream of the electrovalve, is interrupted by the electrovalve. This enables performing reliable inspections, while being practical and easy to use.

Devices and methods for collecting trace amounts of samples are provided. A device can utilize a sterile syringe integrated with a venturi-type vacuum source for sample collection. The device can be used in a variety of applications for collecting specimens that are otherwise difficult to retrieve using conventional sample collecting techniques.

A servo-electric actuated sampler can draw samples of fuel liquid from an operating main line. The sampler can run in a fast-loop process whereby liquid is drawn into the sampling system and past an actuated sampler and then out of the system back into main. The system main run a short loop whereby the main fast-flow is restricted, and the actuator and sampler are isolated from the main line flow. When isolated, the sampler discharges liquid into sampling cans. The servo-electric actuator requires a monitored amount of power to draw and discharge fluids. Monitoring of the power requirements of the servo-electric sampler can reveal the status and reliability of the system.

A sample container, sampling system and operating methods permit representative sampling from a liquid phase or boiling liquid, a gaseous phase, a containment sump, containment atmosphere, or condensation chamber of a nuclear power plant following a severe accident. A sample container obtaining an environmental sample includes an outer chamber surrounded by an outer container wall, being directly fluidically connected to the environment through a passage opening in the outer container wall and being fillable with a liquid at least in a base region. An inner chamber surrounded by an inner container wall is fluidically connected to the base region through a passage opening in the inner container wall, has connections for sampling and conveyor medium lines and is otherwise pressure and media tightly sealed from the environment. A pneumatically or hydraulically actuatable closure device for the passage opening between the outer and inner chambers has an actuation medium line connection.

Embodiments of a mobile carrier monitoring apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more mobile carriers configured to receive items being manufactured in its interior and configured be moved by a transport system to multiple positions within a manufacturing facility. A mobile carrier control system is positioned in the interior or on the exterior of each mobile carrier, as are one or more sensors that are coupled to the mobile carrier control system. A communication system is positioned in the interior or on the exterior of each mobile carrier and communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and to the mobile carrier control system, and an electrical power system positioned in the interior or on the exterior of each mobile carrier and coupled to deliver electrical power to the mobile carrier control system, to the one or more sensors, and to the communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Embodiments of a mobile carrier monitoring apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more mobile carriers configured to receive items being manufactured in its interior and configured be moved by a transport system to multiple positions within a manufacturing facility. A mobile carrier control system is positioned in the interior or on the exterior of each mobile carrier, as are one or more sensors that are coupled to the mobile carrier control system. A communication system is positioned in the interior or on the exterior of each mobile carrier and communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and to the mobile carrier control system, and an electrical power system positioned in the interior or on the exterior of each mobile carrier and coupled to deliver electrical power to the mobile carrier control system, to the one or more sensors, and to the communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

A sampler device for gas chromatography includes a first unit that supports and moves a second, single instrument holding unit carrying at least two instruments with respective control plungers for taking/inserting samples to be analyzed, and a third unit that actuates the plungers simultaneously. The first unit is mounted on a base and moves the second and third units along horizontal and vertical directions and between a first and a second station, at least one of which is defined beyond the plan encumbrance of the base. A control unit automatically controls the movement of the first unit between the first station, with the third unit controlled by the control unit to simultaneously take the samples to be analyzed by the two instruments, and the second station, with the third unit controlled by the control unit to simultaneously insert the previously taken samples within two distinct injectors of a gas chromatograph.

This portable air sampling apparatus includes a Venturi pump creating a vacuum in a suction inlet when compressed air circulates therein; a supply line supplying the Venturi pump with compressed air, including an electrovalve that controls circulation of compressed air in the supply line; a suction line to suction an air sample, having an air circulation member delimiting a chamber for removably receiving a substrate for capturing odorous molecules and suitable for circulating the suctioned air sample through the substrate; and an electronic unit, connected to the electrovalve, controlling its opening and closing so when the electrovalve is opened, compressed air circulates in the supply line through the electrovalve, while when the electrovalve is closed, compressed air circulation in the supply line, between upstream and downstream of the electrovalve, is interrupted by the electrovalve. This enables performing reliable inspections, while being practical and easy to use.