Organic Carbon / Elemental Carbon (OC/EC) Analyzer

The thermo-optical-transmission (TOT) method used in the atmospheric aerosol organic carbon and elemental carbon (OC/EC) analyzer of the Sunset Lab Inc, United States, is a recommended method by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). TOT method is currently the only analytical method recommended by national agencies for measuring aerosol OC/EC. Their instrument is a method research tool for NIOSH 5040. In 1996, Sunset lab won the NIOSH Alice Hamilton Award.

The Model-4 Semi-Continuous OC/EC Field Analyzer features the latest advances in electronic and optical technology, and is rack mountable. This rugged and compact instrument offers sensitive and reliable field operation with an optimized oven and detector design. Its access panel allows for easy filter service and calibration. The new safety mechanisms and inline pressure regulators offer superior flow control.

This instrument is the only commercially available field deployable OC/EC analyzer with true laser-based pyrolysis correction and compatible NIOSH 5040 and IMPROVE methods. It has a computer controlled flow system for enhanced sensitivity and fast analysis times. It also reduces the need of support gases. The analyzer has been extensively tested at several USEPA supersites and demonstrated excellent sensitivity, compared with other co-located integrated filter sampling systems.

The Model 5 OC/EC Aerosol Laboratory Analyzer is the industrial standard for environmental and workplace monitoring. The instrument uses the proven TOT method to analyze OC/EC aerosols collected on quartz filters. It is the basis for NIOSH 5040 method and is fully compliant with the IMPROVE protocol. It features a new and improved micro-controller and data acquisition system for enhanced accuracy and precision.

In the analyzer, samples are thermally desorbed from the filter medium under an inert helium atmosphere followed by an oxidizing atmosphere using carefully controlled heating ramps. A flame ionization detector (FID) is used to monitor the analysis. Its proven low dead volume carrier gas control system and proprietary quartz oven design provide high sensitivity with ultra low carbon background and no oxygen contamination.