Frequently Asked Questions
We collected your questions related to the PTR-MStechnology, our products and IONICON Analytik. Here we answer them for you. If you cannot find what you are looking for please contact us!
PTR-MS technology
What does the abbreviation "PTR-MS" stand for?
How does PTR-MS ionize the substances?
How is mass separation of the ions done?
What are the advantages of PTR-MS compared to conventional mass spectrometry?
What are the advantages of PTR-MS compared to SIFT-MS?
What are the advantages of PTR-MS compared to gas chromatography?
Where can I get detailed scientific information about PTR-MS theory?
PTR-MS instruments
What is included in a PTR-MS package?
Are the PTR-MS instruments portable?
How does the inlet system look like?
Is the vacuum system already built in?
Which consumables does the instrument need during operation?
Is it possible to have a PTR-MS instrument adapted to my needs?
Are there any interfaces for external devices?
Is remote controlling possible?
How do I learn to operate a PTR-MS instrument?
Measurable substances
Which compounds can be detected with PTR-MS?
What are VOCs?
Is the molecule I am interested in measurable with the PTR-MS technology?
Is it possible to test the PTR-MS performance for the substance I am interested in?
Is it possible to measure harmful substances without contaminating the lab air?
Can liquid or solid samples be measured?
Performing a measurement
Does the sample need any pretreatment (e.g. pre-concentration)?
What is the response time?
What is the detection threshold?
What is the detection range?
Is high humidity of the sample a problem?
Is a buffer or carrier gas needed?
Is continuous sampling possible?
Is it necessary to calibrate the instrument prior to every measurement?
How long does it take for the instrument to "warm up" prior to a measurement?
Does the instrument need to heat up or cool down between measurements?
Does the instrument need to be supervised during a measurement?
What is the measuring unit the PTR-MS will display?
How high are the operating costs?
Software
Is there any software included in a PTR-MS package?
What about software updates?
Is it possible to control external devices via the PTR-MS software?
Applications
What are common applications for PTR-MS instruments?
Are there scientific publications involving PTR-MS instruments available?
Maintenance
Does the instrument need daily or weekly maintenance?
Can IONICON perform the maintenance for me?
How does after-sales service look like?
Company
Is it possible to visit the IONICON company site?
Is it possible to get "hands-on experience" at the IONICON company site?
How do I get in contact directly with someone at IONICON?
Is there a PTR-MS distribution partner in my country?
Does IONICON participate in exhibitions in the near future?
PTR-MS technology
What does the abbreviation "PTR-MS" stand for?
PTR-MS is the abbreviation for Proton Transfer Reaction - Mass Spectrometry. Learn more...
TopHow does PTR-MS ionize the substances?
In a drift tube protonated water (H3O+) interacts with molecules that possess a higher proton affinity than water. This means that one proton switches from H3O+ to the molecule (M) and therefore produces M+H+. Learn more...
How is mass separation of the ions done?
Customers may choose between a quadrupole mass filter in PTR-QMS series and a time-of-flight mass analyzer in PTR-TOFMS series systems. Compare advantages of quadrupole and time of flight here.
What are the advantages of PTR-MS compared to conventional mass spectrometry?
PTR is a soft chemical ionization process, which means that in contrast to electron impact or charge transfer ionization the fragmentation rates can be kept very low. Therefore absolute concentrations can be derived immediately. In addition, common compounds of ambient air do not get ionized, which makes mass spectra easily interpretable and accounts for very low online detection limits in the pptv-range. Learn more...
What are the advantages of PTR-MS compared to gas chromatography?
With PTR-MS, substances do not need any pretreatment and can be measured online, in real-time over a range of six orders of magnitude down to a minimum concentration of less than 1 pptv (depending on the model). Learn more...
What are the advantages of PTR-MS compared to SIFT-MS?
Unlike SIFT-MS, PTR-MS does not dilute low concentrated samples by any carrier gas and does not waste any precursor ions in a mass filter between the source and the drift tube hence PTR-MS is much more sensitive, has a lower detection limit and doesn't need any gas supply (proton transfer from H3O+ ions). Our instruments are light-weight (i.e. the portable Compact PTR-MS weights only 55 Kg) and space-saving which clearly puts us ahead of technologies like SIFT-MS. Learn more...
Where can I get detailed scientific information about PTR-MS theory?
There are various scientific publications about the theory behind PTR-MS (e.g. Lindinger et al, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Proc., 173/3 (1998) 191-241). View our publications database here.
Another excellent way to get detailed scientific information is the biennial PTR-MS conference and training seminar. Learn more...
PTR-MS instruments
What is included in a IONICON PTR-MS package?
By buying a PTR-MS you will not only receive the instrument, but an ample package including a computer, comprehensive software package, detailed documentation, all needed cables and lines, toolkit and much more, so that you can start your work immediately.
Are IONICON PTR-MS instruments portable?
As long as the instrument is turned off, it is highly portable and can be moved via mounted wheels or handrails (depending on the model). During operation, shocks should be avoided to prevent the turbo pumps from getting damaged. However, with special shock absorbing housings it was already possible to use our PTR-MS devices in airplanes and other vehicles. Learn more about in-the-field environmental research.
How does the inlet system look like?
We deliver our machines fully equipped with a 1.2m inlet hose consisting of an internal inert PEEK capillary, heating (up to 180°C) and thermal insulation. The flow is adjustable between 50 and up to 1000 sccm via a needle valve. Special solutions (e.g. second inlet line, mutli-port valves) for distinct fields of application are possible.
Is the vacuum system already built in?
Yes! Several turbo molecular pumps and fore-vacuum pumps are part of the system and controlled by the internal electronics. No external pumping station is necessary.
Which consumables does the instrument need during operation?
The only consumable besides electric power is distilled water. An internal water reservoir has to be refilled approximately every 3-6 months. No carrier gases or other expensive consumables are needed.
Is it possible to have a PTR-MS instrument adapted to my needs?
Sure! Just contact us and our experts will be happy to suggest solutions so that your PTR-MS fits your needs in every way. We have experience in designing special solutions tailored to your needs. Learn more...
Are there any interfaces for external devices?
Yes! There are five 24V outputs (e.g. for electronic valves) which can be controlled and automated via the PTR-MS software package. In addition there is a free RS232 port for all kinds of external devices. More interfaces are optionally available (eg. AI/AO-, DI/DO-ports etc.).
Is remote controlling possible?
Yes! Our PTR-MS instruments are completely computer controlled via Ethernet. Just connect the system to your LAN and you can remote control it from everywhere you like.
How do I learn to operate a PTR-MS instrument?
Although operating a PTR-MS instrument is very simple and intuitive, we offer an installation & training package, where one of our experts will give you a two-day training lesson upon delivery of the system directly at your site.
Additionally we cordially invite you to our biennial "hands-on PTR-MS" training course in the framework of the international PTR-MS conference. Learn more...
Measurable substances
Which compounds can be detected with PTR-MS?
IONICON uses a soft ionization method based on proton transfer from H3O+ ions to all compounds with a higher proton affinity than water. Common constituents of air such as N2, O2, Ar, CO2 etc. have lower proton affinities than H2O and do therefore not interfere with the measurement. This is one of the main reasons for our market-leading low online detection limit for trace compounds in the range of a few pptv.
Most of the common VOCs have higher proton affinities than H2O and thus can be monitored and quantified down to single-digit pptv-levels.
With our latest development that offers the possibility to switch between multiple reagent ions, we are now able to significantly extend the number of compounds that can be analyzed with our instruments.
VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds. This means that they are carbon containing molecules that under normal conditions have high enough vapor pressures to significantly vaporize and enter the atmosphere. VOCs like acetone, acetaldehyde, methanol, ethanol, benzene, toluene, xylene and many more are of great importance in nearly every field of everyday life.
VOCs can be harmful, influence negatively the quality of products but can also be indicators for quality in the food industry, the semiconductors business and other production plants.
PTR-MS solutions of Ionicon Analytik can detect most of the common VOCs in very low concentrations (pptv-range).
Is the molecule I am interested in measurable with the PTR-MS technology?
Please check the Proton Affinity (PA) of your desired molecule (e.g. in databases like the NIST chemistry webbook or ask our experts). If it is higher than the PA of water (165.2kcal/mol) it is detectable. Learn more...
Is it possible to test the PTR-MS performance for the substance I am interested in?
Yes! We are happy to invite you to our company site to give you the opportunity to test the PTR-MS technology directly with the substances you bring along. Together with our experts you can discover our products and make valuable experiments tailored to your application. Just contact us and speak about your needs with our experts.
Is it possible to measure harmful substances without contaminating the lab air?
Yes! Just connect an appropriate exhaust line to the exhaust outlet of the instrument.
Can liquid or solid samples be measured?
Every substance, no matter if solid or liquid, has a certain vapor pressure depending on its temperature. Therefore the substance is always also present in its gaseous form and can be measured as long as the concentration is above the detection limit.
Performing a measurement
Does the sample need any pretreatment (e.g. pre-concentration)?
No! The VOC-containing air can be analyzed directly without the need of any pretreatment.
The fastest possible response time is < 100ms.
What is the detection threshold?
Depending on the model, the lowest measurable concentration is below 1 pptv. Have a look at our product range and our dedicated PTR-MS sensitivity page.
The detection range is linear from 10ppmv down to the detection threshold, which is five to six orders of magnitude depending on the model. Compare our products here.
Is high humidity of the sample a problem?
No! High humidity or even changes in the humidity during a measurement do not cause a problem for PTR-MS.
Is a buffer or carrier gas needed?
No! PTR-MS uses the ambient air as a buffer gas.
Is continuous sampling possible?
Yes! You can monitor concentrations online and in real-time.
Is it necessary to calibrate the instrument prior to every measurement?
Our instruments are calibrated carefully prior to delivery and do not need to be frequently recalibrated. For highly accurate results calibrations with gas standards are recommended from time to time.
How long does it take for the instrument to "warm up" prior to a measurement?
If the instrument is not in use it can be set to "stand-by" or "idle" mode for timescales of up to several weeks. In these modes the instrument is ready to start measurements within seconds.
Does the instrument need to heat up or cool down between measurements?
No! Measurements can be done continuously one after another.
Does the instrument need to be supervised during a measurement?
No! Measurements (including e.g. switching of external valves) can be done fully automated. Various safety mechanisms take care that sensitive parts are shut down automatically.
What is the measuring unit the PTR-MS will display?
Depending on the user's preference, the PTR-MS software displays and saves values as raw data (counts per second or Ampere) and in absolute concentrations (ppbv or µg/kg).
How high are the operating costs?
In operation, the PTR-MS only consumes electric power (max. 650-1.000W; depending on the model) and very small amounts of distilled water (approx. two bottles a year), so the operating costs are outstandingly low.
Software
Is there any software included in a PTR-MS package?
Yes! There is an ample software package included, ranging from the operating system of the enclosed laptop computer to the mass analyzer software. In addition we enclose our PTR-MS software package that was programmed by our in-house software department.
Our in-house software department is continuously improving and adding new features to the PTR-MS software package. These updates are available online and free of charge for PTR-MS customers.
Is it possible to control external devices via the PTR-MS software?
Yes! Up to five external devices (e.g. electronic valves) can be controlled via the PTR-MS software. This allows e.g. automated switching between different samples during a long-term measurement.
Applications
What are common applications for PTR-MS instruments?
Our customers are active in atmospheric chemistry, in environmental research and trace gas analysis (e.g. emissions in urban and remote areas, indoor spaces, vehicles), food and flavor science (e.g. analysis of coffee, olive oil, butter, cheese, wine, herbal extracts and aromas). We also develop industrial VOC monitoring solutions (e.g. in waste incineration plant, chemical factories and production sites). Read more about some typical PTR-MS applications.
Are there scientific publications involving PTR-MS instruments available?
There is a comprehensive list of scientific publications available on our homepage. Go to our publication database.
Maintenance
Does the instrument need daily or weekly maintenance?
No! PTR-MS instruments have exceptionally long maintenance intervals in the range of up to six months.
Can IONICON perform the maintenance for me?
Yes! We offer maintenance contracts for our systems that cover the regular service work for up to three years. We can propose very flexible service offers that are adapted to your budget. Our specialists do the maintenance work quickly and efficiently, ensuring that your system is configured and operated in optimal conditions. Learn more...
How does after-sales service look like?
For us, customer care is not only words, it's a relationship that we take serious. Quick and competent answers to urgent questions via email or telephone, for ordering spare parts, software updates, suggestions how to solve complex problems, etc. go without saying. Read what our customers have to say about IONICON support here.
Company
Is it possible to visit the IONICON company site?
We would be happy to welcome you at our company site. Just contact us. Here you can find your way to our location.
Is it possible to get "hands-on experience" at the IONICON company site?
Yes! You can even bring along you own samples if you like. Just write us an email or call us.
How do I get in contact directly with someone at IONICON?
All contact information of our team members can be found on our homepage. Find your your personal IONICON contact here.
Is there a PTR-MS distribution partner in my country?
You can find an up-to-date list of distribution partners on our homepage. If we are not locally represented in your country we sell and support our products directly from our company site in Austria. Learn more...
Does IONICON participate in exhibitions in the near future?
IONICON participates in exhibitions and conferences frequently. Please check our events schedule for up-to-date information about upcoming exhibitions and conferences. We would be happy to meet you there.
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