Environmental monitoring system and method with a prefilter

Abstract

Various environmental systems are disclosed. In accordance with one of the systems, a first and second valve are provided. The valves provide a first air flow path from an air pump to a photo-ionization detector is provided through a pre-filter. The valves also provide a second air flow path from the air pump to the photo-ionization detector so that the pre-filter is isolated from its environmental surroundings. Various other arrangements of environmental monitoring systems with one or more pre-filters are also disclosed.

1 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An environmental monitoring system, comprising
 a first air pump connected to a first detector, the first detector determining a concentration of one or more volatile organic compounds in real-time;   a second air pump connected to a second detector, the second detector connected to a first check valve that is connected to a pre-filter that is connected to a second valve, the second detector determining a concentration of one or more volatile organic compounds in real-time;   wherein the first detector is co-located with the second detector.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first detector is a photo ionization detector. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second detector is a photo ionization detector. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first detector is selected from the group consisting of a photo ionization detector, a flame ionization detector, a spectrophotometer and an electrochemical detector. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the second detector is selected from the group consisting of photo ionization detector, a flame ionization detector, a spectrophotometer and an electrochemical detector. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first valve and the second valves are controlled by a computerized environmental monitoring system.