Development of a portable gas analyzer using a micro-Gas Chromatograph/Flame Ionization Detector (micro-GC/FID) for NASA's environmental missions

摘要

We have developed a portable gas analyzer that consists of a micro-flame ionization detector (micro-FID) and a micro-gas chromatograph (micro-GC). Both components are being integrated in a "lunchbox" sized housing with ail the peripherals to operate the micro-GC/FID without an external power and gas supply. The total size of the micro-GC/FID lunch box is currently 24x20x10 cm3 with 4 kg mass. The micro-FID currently has 40 mC/gC of sensitivity, which is twice as sensitive as the best performing micro-FID reported so far. An electrolyzer in the lunchbox produces pure hydrogen and oxygen for the micro-FID eliminating the need for gas tanks on board. Cbana's gas analyzer succeeded in separating 17 compounds at the nanogram level, including alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, halogenated hydrocarbons and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes). The lunchbox gas analyzer performance, small size, and fast analysis time may enable NASA to significantly reduce the cost of analysis in planetary exploration missions, cabin air monitoring in spacecraft or the international space station (ISS).