The PTR 2e
PTR-TOF-MS
Providing high-performance analysis.
The PTR 2e
The Kore PTR 2e: PTR-TOF-MS
Kore Technology designed the world’s first time-of-flight mass spectrometer to couple to a proton transfer reactor back in 2002, and we have continued our innovation since. We are pleased to present our larger, higher performance PTR-TOF-MS instrument, the PTR 2e.
Kore’s original PTR instrument has been re-designed to deliver:
- High sensitivity resulting in low detection limits for analyte species
- High mass resolution for unambiguous identification of chemical species
- A rugged, transportable instrument for use in field work
PTR-MS is a soft ionisation method utilising H3O+ ions to transfer protons to all compounds with a higher proton affinity than water. General components in air are not ionised by the hydronium beam, but most volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are ionised by H3O+ with little or no fragmentation. Other molecules such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S), hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and ammonia (NH3) can be detectable by this H3O+ PTR-MS method.
Ionisation takes place in a low pressure reactor (0.1 to 2mbar) under dilute conditions i.e. avoiding competition for charge between different analyte molecules, as might happen with API sources. The result is very high sensitivity combined with linearity and simple quantification. The same hardware can also be used with other reagent ions if desired O2+ and NO+ are common choices.
High Sensitivity
The Series 2e Kore PTR-MS features a new and novel PTR reactor with a Kore-designed ion concentrator as part of the reactor, capable of achieving > 200 cps/ppbv Benzene. This greatly reduces the ion losses that would normally occur in the reactor owing to a phenomenon known as ‘space charge’, in which high-density ions repel each other. This novel device channels the ions to the exit of the reactor, resulting in a high current ion beam passing into the next part of the instrument. This reactor and concentrator is also fitted to the Series 1 PTR-TOF-MS.
High Mass Resolution
The Series 2e PTR-MS from Kore features a new spectrometer capable of delivering up to 8,000 mass resolution. For routine operation, the instrument operates at >5,000. The flight path is longer than the series I instrument, resulting in a lower repetition rate (pulse frequency), and this reduces the sensitivity somewhat from the smaller instrument, but with the added advantage of high mass resolution. Nevertheless sensitivity levels are still high even at high mass resolution with Benzene > 200 cps/ppbv.
Rugged and Transportable
The Series 2e PTR-MS instrument is designed for easy and safe transportation and yet with sufficient mass resolution and sensitivity to satisfy the most demanding applications. It is housed in a purpose-designed vertical rack to permit easy transportation in a standard van. The instrument is ‘floated’ inside the frame so that it is ‘cushioned’ during transportation.
| Concentration range | 50ppm to ppt levels |
| Sensitivity | >200cps/ppbv VOCs (measured with Benzene) |
| Detection limit | ~10ppt |
| Response time to concentration changes | ~100ms |
| Mass resolution at max sensitivity | >5000 m/δm (FWHM) at m/z 79 |
| Mass resolution | ~8000 m/δm achievable |
| Mass range | unlimited; in practice: 1000m/z (limited by gas phase thermochemistry) |
| Glow discharge ion source | reagent ions H3O+ , O2+ , NO+ |
| Dimensions | 1030 x 1630 x 650 mm |
| Weight | ~230kg |
| Power requirement (normal operation) | <750W |
| Reactor oven heating | 30-130°C (150°C transfer line available) |
| Fully computer-controlled operation, automatic analysis software function | |
| Option for computer-controlled reagent ion switching | |
| Option for mass calibration unit (injecting low levels of high mass compound) | |
All the Kore Technology PTR-MS models can be upgraded to increase the functionality and usability of the Kore Technology PTR-MS instruments. Our optional modules have been developed to provide a complete PTR-MS solution.
Reagent Ion Switching
This optional module allows rapid switching of reagent ion gases under full computer control (water vapour and 2 alternative reagent ion gasses). The switching can be controlled manually or set to switch at pre-set time intervals.
Permeation Calibration Device
The permeation mass calibration device is a heated module to allow addition of a low concentration of a mass calibrant through a permeation device directly into the PTR reactor allowing automatic mass calibration with a calibrant across the mass range 0-350amu.
Heated Inlet Lines
All our PTR-MS instruments can be supplied with internal and external heated inlet lines, capable of 200°C and constructed of passivated inert materials for minimum VOC losses and low VOC adsorption.
PTR Field Measurement Kit
As part of our extensive prototype testing, we designed a field measurement kit to take some of the hassle out of field campaigns. The kit comprises of winch equipment to get a compact PTR-MS into and out of a van and power adapters and equipment for running the instrument using a custom designed portable power supply (the Kore Technology Field Battery Pack).
Inlet Flow Control
For some user applications, it is important to know the flow of sample/analyte gas past the sampling inlet, in order to reduce residence time of sample gas in the inlet system and to produce repeatable sampling conditions. This optional extra allows for computer-controlled inlet flow by mass flow controller, allowing the user to set the flow of inlet gas up to 1 LPM.
Inlet Modules
Kore Technology have developed a series of robust inlet modules including PTFE swab desorbers, trap tube desorbers and SPME desorbers.
Flight Cases
Our standard shipping containers are reusable padded wooden crates, which our customers often use for transporting the instruments to field sites. We also offer reusable flight cases with shock protection and durable sides for customers that ship the instruments regularly to field measurement sites.
PREFICS accessory:
Pre concentrator with Fast Integrated Chromatographic Separation.
The fast thermal swab desorber that is one of three sample inlet systems that we have developed for PREFICS is also available as a separate interface for our PTR-TOF-MS instruments for sensitive detection of semi-volatiles.
Application Areas
- VOC monitoring (ambient air, product quality control and testing)
- Clean room air quality monitoring
- Breath analysis
- Food analysis
- Homeland security
- Odour identification (buildings, factories etc)
- Fence line monitoring
Application Notes
- Real-time Van Measurements
- Stationary Van Measurements
- BTEX in Ambient Air
- Breath Analysis
- Explosives Analysis
Product Note
Pricing and ordering
Kore Technology is a centre of excellence in time-of-flight mass spectrometer technology and has a very strong R&D capability in terms of its personnel, all of whom have been heavily involved in a variety of analytical instrumentation development programmes.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us via our online form or telephone us for more information, we offer a wide range of products and services to suit your requirements.
If you wish to purchase our products, please contact Kore sales at sales@kore.co.uk, or call +44 (0)1353 653030.
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