Temperature Influenced Chemical Vaporization and Detection of Compounds Having Low Volatility

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for detecting a chemical substance. The methods and systems include chemically modifying a sample of a substance of interest through combination with a reagent to increase the volatility of the substance of interest. The systems and methods further include performing an analysis of the substance of interest.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for detecting a substance of interest, the method comprising:
 collecting a sample of a substantially non-volatile substance of interest on a sampling trap;   introducing the trap including the substance of interest into a thermal desorber;   conducting a two-step desorption process within the desorber of the substance of interest, the two-step desorption process comprising desorbing the substance of interest for a first period of time; depositing a reagent on the trap, wherein the reagent increases the volatility of the substance of interest, wherein depositing the reagent includes spraying the reagent on the trap;   and, desorbing the substance of interest for a second period of time, wherein desorbing the substance of interest for a second period of time includes vaporizing the substance of interest;   transferring the vaporized substance of interest from the desorber into a detector;   performing an analysis of the substance of interest; and,   detecting the substance of interest.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reagent includes at least one of an organic acid, an inorganic acid and a reducing agent. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the reagent includes at least one of sulfuric acid, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, phosphoric acid and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substance of interest includes at least one of sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, strontium nitrate, barium nitrate, sodium chlorate, potassium chlorate, sodium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, sodium permanganate, potassium permanganate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A method for detecting a substance of interest, the method comprising:
 collecting a sample of a substantially non-volatile substance of interest on a sampling trap;   introducing the trap including the substance of interest into a thermal desorber;   depositing a reagent on the trap, wherein the reagent increases the volatility of the substance of interest, wherein depositing the reagent includes spraying the reagent on the trap;   increasing the temperature within the desorber;   vaporizing the substance of interest;   transferring the vaporized substance of interest from the desorber into a detector;   performing an analysis of the substance of interest; and,   detecting the substance of interest.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the reagent includes at least one of an organic acid, an inorganic acid and a reducing agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the reagent includes at least one of sulfuric acid, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, phosphoric acid and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the substance of interest includes at least one of sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, strontium nitrate, barium nitrate, sodium chlorate, potassium chlorate, sodium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, sodium permanganate, potassium permanganate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A substance detection system comprising:
 a sampling trap including a substantially non-volatile substance of interest;   a thermal desorber configured to hold the sampling trap, wherein the desorber includes a deposition device, the deposition device including a reagent and configured to deposit the reagent onto the sampling trap, wherein the reagent increases the volatility of the substance of interest, wherein the desorber is configured to vaporize the substance of interest;   an analysis device coupled in flow communication with the desorber, the analysis device configured to receive the vaporized substance of interest and perform an analysis of the substance of interest.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the reagent includes at least one of an organic acid, an inorganic acid and a reducing agent. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the reagent includes at least one of sulfuric acid, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, phosphoric acid and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the substance of interest includes at least one of sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, strontium nitrate, barium nitrate, sodium chlorate, potassium chlorate, sodium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, sodium permanganate, potassium permanganate, and combinations thereof.