Analysis of volatile organic chemicals in aqueous samples by purge/GC with selective water removal

Abstract
A gas chromatographic method for volatile organic chemicals in which an aqueous sample is purged directly to a cryogenically cooled, fused silica column uses a Nafion tube drier between the purge vessel and GC column. The Nafion strips water from the gas stream during the purge step while allowing volatile halocarbons and aromatics to continue to the GC column. Examples of this technique are presented on 0.53 mm and 0.25 mm fused silica columns coated with a variety of stationary phases.