Development of membrane purge and trap for measurement of volatile organics in water

Volatile organics in water are analyzed by first removing them from the water matrix. For example in purge and trap, the organics are sparged using an inert gas before analysis by GC or GC/MS. The objective of this research is to develop an equivalent of a purge and trap system based on membrane extraction. Instead of purging, the VOCs are separated from the aqueous phase via membrane permeation. The permeated organics are pneumatically transported to a micro-sorbent trap referred to as the microtrap. The trapped organics are then injected into a GC by rapid desorption of the microtrap.