A time-intensity gas chromatography-olfactometry (GCO) apparatus was develo
ped to study some aerodynamic parameters that may influence odor detection
and intensity measurements by the subjects. The addition of humidified air
at the elution place of the compounds is generally recommended for several
reasons (essentially to prevent nasal mucosa dehydration and to improve chr
omatographic affluent carriage out of the column), but clues about these ef
fects are yet to be published. This question is studied through two complem
entary experiments using synthetic solutions of 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, hex
an-2-one, octanal, nonanal, furfural, citronellal, benzaldehyde, octan-1-ol
, 2-phenylethyl acetate, guaiacol, 2-phenylethanol, and vanillin. This work
demonstrates the need for an air makeup to increase odor detection frequen
cy and intensity rating. With the conditions tested, a minimum makeup air f
low rate of 50 L . min(-1) is necessary. On the contrary, humidification of
the makeup is useless for the sniffers comfort and to improve the quantita
tive GCO results.