1. Environmental Site Survey
In the field of contaminated sites with water samples and soil samples requiring rapid screening analysis, compared with the traditional way of sample analysis in an off-site laboratory, portable gas chromatography can be used for rapidly obtaining analytical results, where a laboratory may need an average analysis time of 2 weeks, including a service fee paid to the third-party lab. Although the laboratory equipment is more accurate, some volatile organic compounds (VOC) during the storage and transportation process will be subject to loss in composition and concentration. At the same time, portable gas chromatography takes only a few minutes to obtain the analytical data, which enables the on-site staff to analyze larger quantities of samples in a shorter time frame. The investigation of the contaminant migration can be done with more precision through developing larger sample datasets.
2. Remediation Phase
During the remediation phase of a project, continuous monitoring of the relevant soil and groundwater sample is the key to test the performance of the remediation. When the remediation reaches the intermediate goal, it is imperative to determine if the remediation is achieving the expected level of chemical removal, or whether the remediation plan should be modified. As during the investigation process the time and cost of an off-site laboratory performing the analysis of these samples is not cost-effective, and remobilizing remediation equipment will add additional costs. Portable gas chromatography allows quantitative analysis of various VOC analytes in a large number of samples over a short period of time, reducing costs and not delaying the remedial effort. While off-site laboratory analysis requires more time and cost to produce similar results.
3. Quality Inspection in Industrial Processes
In industrial processes, VOC compounds can be quantitatively analyzed during the industrial process inspection in order to detect any flaws in the production process. In addition, portable gas chromatography can be used in the quality control process to help improve production efficiency.
4. Indoor Vapor Intrusion
In the area where chemicals are present, or in the area adjacent to a contaminated site, personnel who live or work in those areas may be subject to VOC vapor intrusion. Portable gas chromatography can be set up at sites to investigate and determine the invasion pathway, with help of air sampling tools. The results obtained during the sampling process, by comparing the concentration of the analyte can identify an obvious route of infiltration to determine the source as well as provide information to determine if a potential health hazard exists.
Source:
Coordinator: EnvGuide Team