Comparison of quick analytical method to test chamber measurements

The present work outlines the determination of organic vapour emission from a plastic granulate using a Microchamber/Thermal Extractor (µ-CTE, Markes Int. Ltd.) aiming at reducing the costs and time taken for emission testing relative to using conventional emissionsion test chambers. Comparative measurements were carried out under different experimental conditions; for example varying the temperature, air exchange rate and the interval between putting the sample in the Microchamber and start of vapour sampling. The parameter found to have greatest influence on the correlation of the results was the conditioning time. Measured emission rates from the Microchamber were different in most cases, to those obtained from conventional test chambers in absolute terms. However, qualitative comparison of the chromatograms shows a high correlation between the Microchamber and conventional emissions test chambers.