chromatograph

A new passive tracer gas method for ventilation measurements is described. The method utilizes passive tracer gas release from aliquid perfluorocarbon compound contained in a glass vial, equipped with a teflon membrane. Air sampling is also done passively by diffusion through a glass tube containing activated carbon. Quantitative analysis of trapped tracer compound is performed by solvent extraction and gas chromatographic separation using a liquid injection technique. Separation is done with a two-column system and quantitative analysis with an electron capture detector.

This paper describes tracer gas methods and equipment developed to measure infiltration and inter-zone air flow rates in New Zealand houses. Air flows in houses have been studied in detail, in order to understand the role of ventilation in controlling indoor moisture, and the role of air flows through the construction cavities in transferring mloisture to parts of the structure most sensitive to moisture. The main technical content of this paper, however, concerns an automated tracer gas detection and delivery system based around a gas chromatograph and an electron capture detector.

In this paper we describe the development of a multi-tracer gas system for measuring interzonal air movement in buildings. The system consists of simple and stand-alone gas injectors and sampling units. The injectors are capable of releasing up to four perfluorocarbon tracer gases in different parts of a building. Following tracer gas injection and mixing, small samples of air are collected using automatic sampling units. Each unit consists of a 16-position valve and a group of removable stainless steel tubes packed with solid absorbent.

An automated 10-point air sampling network which uses an electron capture detector gas chromatograph to continuously measure changes in sulfur hexafluoride tracer concentration in a residential environment will be described. The injection of the tracer is controlled by a microprocessor which decides to inject sulfur hexafluoride tracer to return its concentration to a preprogrammed set point. Infiltration rates from fan induced pressurization will be compared to the infiltration rates as reported from the replacement of sulfur hexafluoride tracer.