The chem-ID is a precision chemical analysis laboratory in a small box designed to be easily used by someone with virtually no chemical background, very little training, and in all weather conditions. Simply put, it measures a detailed signature of an air sample and displays the identity and concentration (PPM/PPB) of the chemical to the operator. Because the chem-ID is easy to use and performs accurate and consistent measurements, multiple operators in the field can provide near real-time information to a single trained person at a central location.
It can be operated by remote control by a PC up to 100 meters via the built-in Bluetooth Class 1 radio. The Bluetooth link is also used to transmit measured chemical signatures to a nearby PC for quick emailing to any location. The chem-ID weighs 15.9 pounds and is the size of a large lunch box. It is battery powered and can be operated by the four buttons on the top of the unit or by remote control from a PC.
The chem-ID weighs 15.9 pounds and is the size of a large lunch box. It is battery powered and can be operated by the four buttons on the top of the unit or by remote control from a PC. The chem-ID analyzes and characterizes airborne chemicals either resident in the air or out-gassed from a liquid or solid.
Dual column gas chromatography is used to provide a multi-dimensional characterization of each sampled chemical based on the molecular weight of the chemical and the bond-energies between atoms of the molecule. The chromatographic data is measured by precision thermal conductivity detectors that translate chemical information into electrical signals read by the computer. By collating the information from these detectors, the chemicals present in an air sample are separated into individual chemical signatures.
A pre-concentrator is utilized to concentrate the chemicals in the air so that even minute quantities of a chemical (parts per billion) can be analyzed. The pre-concentrator can be easily removed from the instrument and sent to a laboratory for further additional testing. The chemical samples are heated and measured across a range of temperatures, from 40°C to 150°C. This allows the chem-ID to quickly analyze an extremely wide range of chemicals. Despite the internal temperatures, the exterior is not hot to the touch.
