THE TESTING OF CARBON SORBENT FOR PRECONCENTRATION OF VOLATILE ORGANIC TRACE COMPOUNDS

Carbon sorbent Carb I (prepared by controlled pyrolysis of saccharose) was tested for preconcentration of volatile organic compounds from th e gas phase. The model mixture of hydrocarbons (n-alkanes and aromatic s) and mixture of aromatics with low-boiling polar solvents was used. For desorption of compounds several solvents were utilized, carbon dis ulfide was found to be the best. Adsorption-desorption process was stu died in the concentration range of components in nitrogen 0.03-15 mu g dm(-3). Chromatographic measurements were performed on gas chromatogr aph with on-column and splitless injection, fused silica capillary col umns with chemically bonded stationary phases under temperature progra mmed conditions and flame ionization detector. The recovery of n-alkan es and aromatics was found to be around 90 %, the recovery of low-boil ing solvents, particularly of polar character was low.