Method and apparatus for inspecting a gas sample

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting a presence of at least one analyte in a gas sample. The apparatus comprises a pump for drawing a gas sample from an ambient air, a passage having first and second ends, a chamber connected to the first end and containing a concentrating element for collecting at least one analyte from the gas sample, a chromatographic separator connected to a second end of the passage, and a gas source for streaming a carrier gas via the chamber to transfer the at least one analyte toward at least one chemical detector, via the chromatographic separator, in a first direction. The pump draws the gas sample via the chamber in a second direction and the first and second directions are substantially opposing to one another.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gas concentration device, comprising:
 a chamber;   an inlet for drawing a gas sample stream via said chamber;   a metallic concentrator positioned in said chamber and substantially coated with a layer comprising methyl-phenylsilicones so as to append at least one analyte from said gas sample stream; and   a heating element for heating said metallic concentrator so as to release said at least one analyte from said metallic concentrator.   
     
     
         2 . The gas concentration device of  claim 1 , wherein said methyl-phenylsilicones comprising OV-17 silicone. 
     
     
         3 . The gas concentration device of  claim 2 , wherein said OV-17 silicone is in a concentration of between 3% and 10%. 
     
     
         4 . The gas concentration device of  claim 2 , wherein said OV-17 silicone is in a concentration of 5%. 
     
     
         5 . The gas concentration device of  claim 1 , further comprising a gas source for streaming a carrier gas via said chamber so as to carry said at least one released analyte toward an outlet, via a chromatographic separator and a detection unit. 
     
     
         6 . The gas concentration device of  claim 5 , wherein said detection unit is adapted for detecting at least one of the presence, the absence and the concentration of said at least one analyte. 
     
     
         7 . The gas concentration device of  claim 5 , wherein gas source performs said streaming during a period of less than 10 seconds. 
     
     
         8 . The gas concentration device of  claim 5 , wherein said heating element is operated for heating said metallic concentrator before said carrier gas is streamed in a detection cycle of less than 1 minute. 
     
     
         9 . The gas concentration device of  claim 8 , wherein said heating element is operated for heating said metallic concentrator at least  5  seconds before said carrier gas is streamed in said detection cycle. 
     
     
         10 . The gas concentration device of  claim 5 , wherein said heating element is operated for heating said metallic concentrator to a temperature of at least 200° C. 
     
     
         11 . The gas concentration device of  claim 10 , wherein said heating element is operated for heating said metallic concentrator to said temperature in less than 2 second. 
     
     
         12 . The gas concentration device of  claim 5 , wherein said chamber and said carrier gas and said gas sample are streamed in substantially opposing directions in said chamber. 
     
     
         13 . A method of releasing at least one analyte of a gas sample, comprising:
 drawing a gas sample stream via a chamber comprising a metallic concentrator substantially coated with a layer comprising methyl-phenylsilicones so as to append at least one analyte from said gas sample stream; and   heating said metallic concentrator so as to release said at least one analyte from said metallic concentrator.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising streaming a carrier gas via said chamber so as to carry said at least one released analyte via a chromatographic separator. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising detecting at least one of the presence, the absence and the concentration of said at least one analyte using said chromatographic separator.