Analysis of air purification filter efficiency

What was the challenge or problem to solve?

The bad smell during cooking (meat, fish, vegetables …) is due to some very specific molecules that produce an unpleasant and intense smell even at very low concentrations.

The objective of this work was to analyze the efficiency of certain filters to know their effectiveness against odor, and in this way select the optimal ones according to the final application and the different requirements.

Analysis of air purification filter efficiency

How was it addressed or what was the solution?

The challenge was tackled by the Forensic Engineering team applying chemical volatiles characterization techniques, such as gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Due to the difficulty of analyzing these molecules, and the different analysis conditions, two different analysis methods had to be combined: SPE(Solid Phase Extraction) and SPME (Solid Phase Micro Extraction)

Challenge

Evaluation of the smell during cooking (meat, fish, vegetables …)
Analysis of filter efficiency in different conditions and applications

Solution

Characterization of volatiles by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry
Use of different techniques to detect the key compounds responsible for odors