Recovery characteristics of different tube materials in relation to combustion products

Common challenge in gas analyzers such as Ion Mobility Spectrometers (IMS) integrated into a measurement system is the reduced analysis speed that is partially limited by the temporal carry-over of sample molecules. It is caused by adsorption and absorption of the molecules into the gas tubes of the analyzer. We studied the recovery times of common tube materials: polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyethylene (PE), steel 316 L, parylene C coated steel and Silconert® coated steel from organic combustion products. The tests were performed in two temperatures, at 25 °C and at 70 °C. In addition, detailed analysis was performed for PTFE tube material at 33, 50, 70 and 100 °C to observe the temperature relation of desorption. Uncoated steel was found to have the best performance in increased temperature applications due lack of absorption. Major advantages from coatings compared to plane steel were not found. Plastics were found suitable materials in lower temperatures where adsorption exceeds absorption.