A portable mass spectrometer for direct monitoring of gases and volatile compounds in air and water samples

A portable automated mass-spectrometric system allows direct testing of gases and volatile substances in both air and water samples in in situ and on-line modes and is intended for studies in ecology, oceanology, and for testing technological processes. The parameters, the instrument design and operating modes, and the units included in it are described. The choice of the design of the membrane input system, which ensures low threshold levels of detecting goal compounds (down to a few ppb for toluene and benzene) and the dependence of this choice on the measurement mode and the state and composition of the investigated sample are considered. The results of tests of the mass-spectrometer in the mode of direct selective and total inspection are presented.