The field-deployable HNU GC 311D portable gas chromatograph monitors a wide range of compound emissions from hazardous waste sites and other emissions sources before and during remediation (see figure below). It has an internal carrier gas supply, operates on 110-volt line power, is microprocessor-controlled, and is temperature programmable. An internal printer plots chromatograms and prints data. Data can also be reported to an external computer, which is connected through an RS-232 outlet.
HNU GC 311D Portable Gas Chromatograph
The instrument has simultaneous dual-detector capability and allows the user to choose from four interchangeable detectors: photoionization, flame ionization, electron-capture, and far ultraviolet absorbance. Capillary columns of all sizes can be installed. The instrument is capable of autosampling.
The HNU GC 311D is applicable to a wide variety of vapor-phase pollutants. The photoionization detector is sensitive to compounds that ionize below 11.7 electron volts, such as aromatic compounds and unsaturated halocarbons. The flame ionization detector is sensitive to hydrocarbons. The electron-capture detector is sensitive to halocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls. The far ultraviolet absorbance is a universal detector with characteristics similar to that of a TCD.
The instrument was evaluated in January 1992 at a Superfund site under remediation. Results from the demonstration are presented in a peer-reviewed article entitled "Evaluation of Portable Gas Chromatographs" in the Proceedings of the 1993 U.S. EPA/Air and Waste Management Association International Symposium, VIP-33, Volume 2, 1993. A final report will not be prepared.
EPA PROJECT MANAGER:
Richard Berkley
U.S. EPA
National Exposure Research Laboratory
MD-44
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
919-541-2439
Fax: 919-541-3527
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPER CONTACT:
Jack Driscoll
HNU Systems, Inc.
160 Charlemont Street
Newton, MA 02161-9987
800-724-6690
617-964-6690
Fax: 617-558-0056