Which instrument is used for trace explosives detection?

The 800 Series TEA. Trace explosives detection uses the same nitrogen chemiluminescence technology that makes the TEA the standard for nitrosamine analysis. Most explosive compounds contain nitrogen in the form of nitro groups (-NO₂), which the 800 Series TEA detects with high sensitivity and selectivity.

How it works

The 800 Series TEA operates in nitroso/nitro mode for explosives detection. In this mode, the pyrolyser cleaves the nitro bonds in the sample, releasing nitric oxide. The NO reacts with ozone in the reaction chamber, producing light that is measured by a photomultiplier. The signal is proportional to the amount of nitrogen-containing compound present.

When coupled to a gas chromatograph, the GC separates the individual explosive compounds before they reach the 800 Series TEA. Each compound produces its own peak, giving identification and quantification in a single run.

Why the TEA suits this application

Explosives residues are often present at trace levels in complex backgrounds. Swab samples from surfaces, air samples, and material extracts all contain many compounds alongside any explosive residue. The 800 Series TEA's selectivity for nitrogen-oxide bonds means it responds to the explosive compounds and ignores the background matrix. This produces clean chromatograms with minimal interference, even from dirty samples.

Sensitivity is below 2 pg N/sec at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1. Selectivity is greater than 10⁷ gN/gC.

Which GC configuration?

A 200 Series or 500 Series configured with the 800 Series TEA. The 500 Series offers ultra-fast mode for higher throughput where rapid screening of large numbers of samples is required. The 200 Series provides a compact, lower-cost option for laboratories where throughput is not the primary concern.

Want to discuss explosives detection for your application? Get in touch with the team.