2015: Parts for the mass spectrometry lab that uses the technique of chemical ionization to study reactions that occur in the atmosphere.
Trace gas analysis by Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry (CIMS) is the major focus of the BIRA-IASB mass spectrometry group. Next to in-situ measurements with commercial CIMS instrumentation (PTR-MS), laboratory studies to enhance the selectivity of on-line trace gas detection (mainly of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds, BVOC) are performed with Flowing Afterglow – Selected Ion Flow Tube (FA-SIFT) and Flowing Afterglow – Tandem Mass Spectrometry (FA-TMS) instrumentation. BIRA-IASB’s Engineering service supports by developing parts and assisting in the CIMS-setup.
Delivery year: 2015
The standard FA reactor in the FA-TMS instrument is ideal for laboratory studies but will have to be replaced by a proton transfer drift tube reactor in order to enhance trace gas detection sensitivity, resulting in a Proton Transfer Reactor – Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry (PTR-TMS) instrument.
3D CAD drawing of an ion source for the PTR-CIMS instrument
The concept of the PTR reactor is similar to the one which is used in standard PTR-MS instruments and consists of a hollow cathode discharge ion source, and intermediate chamber for purification of precursor hydronium ions, and a flow drift tube. The latter is essentially a stack of electrically insulated stainless steel guard rings provided with the necessary ports for gas inlets and pressure measurements.
Apart from the design and manufacture of the ion source and drift tube reactor, a special interface between the reactor and a single quadrupole mass spectrometer had to be constructed at the BIRA-IASB’s Engineering service in order to test the PTR-reactor extensively before coupling it to the TMS instrument.
Publications
- Schoon, N.; Stéphien, C.; Amelynck, C.; Arijs, E.; Neefs, E.; Nevejans, D.; Catoire, V.; Labonnette, D.; Poulet, G.; Fink, H.-P.; Kopp, E.; Luithardt, W. (2000), “Mid-latitude CIMS-based Measurements f Stratospheric Trace Gas Concentrations”, (Harris, N.R.P., Ed.), Stratospheric ozone 1999 - Air pollution research report 73: Proceedings of the 5th European symposium, 27 September-1 October 1999, Saint Jean de Luz, France, 348-351
