The Analysis of Odorous Sulphur Compounds by Gas Chromatography After Thermal Desorption from Tenax

An evaluation of an analytical method for volatile sulphur compounds arose from the need to monitor compounds known to cause nuisance odours in atmospheres near sewage treatment works. A technique using thermal desorption from Tenax adsorbent, cold trapping and transfer on to a capillary GC column before chromatography which has been applied to qualitative analysis of a broad range of organic compounds by gas ciiraoratography-mass spectrometry was evaluated and subsequently modified to meet the demands of the analysis of a range of reactive volatile sulphur compounds by gas chromatography using a sulphur-selective flame photometric detector. Factors affecting recoveries from the adsorbent were identified and efficiency of transfer significantly improved.