Method and system for investigating the property of at least one material to absorb at least one odorous substance

Abstract

A method and a system for testing a property of at least one material to absorb at least one odorant are provided. The method comprises providing at least one substance suitable for releasing at least one odorant in a first container, providing at least one material to be tested for a property of absorbing the at least one odorant in a second container, providing a device for retaining and concentrating the at least one odorant, passing the carrier gas from a carrier gas source through the first container, through the second container and through the device, subsequently releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device by increasing the temperature of the device and determining the amount of the at least one odorant released from the device.

Description

A method and apparatus is provided for examining a property of at least one material to absorb at least one odorant. The method comprises providing at least one substance suitable for releasing at least one odorant in a first container, providing at least one material to be examined for a property of absorbing the at least one odorant in a second container, providing a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, conducting the carrier gas from a carrier gas source through the first container, through the second container and through the device, subsequently releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device by increasing the temperature of the device and determining the amount of the at least one odorant released from the device.The use of polymers (such as polymeric plastics and polymeric natural materials) with odour pollution is restricted. Additives for reducing odor pollution (odor protection additives) can be used to suppress the odor of said polymers.Until now, there have not been any characterization methods for elucidating structure-property relationships between the odor cause (i.e. at least one odor substance which is released from the polymer) and at least one odor protection additive, which allow the investigation and odor-specific selection of an effective (preferably also optimum) odor protection additive by investigation on the unprocessed odor protection additive.In order to investigate an odour protection effect of an odour protection additive, odour protection additives are currently firstly incorporated into a polymer (e.g. a plastic) and subsequently the odour release is assessed over weeks (see e.g. WO 2022 / 063 723 A1). It is necessary here that the odour protection additives to be tested are incorporated beforehand into the polymer and the polymer is subsequently processed to form a test specimen, i.e. odour protection additives to be tested cannot be investigated directly (for example as a pulverulent solid) for their property of reducing odour release of a polymer. The procedure known in the prior art is thus complex, time-consuming and associated with high costs.DE 699 20 918 T2 discloses an apparatus for measuring an odour component in a sample gas which has a multiplicity of sensors with different reaction properties.EP 1 236 997 A2 discloses a method and an apparatus for the analysis of odour components of flower plants.GB 2 456 295 A discloses a method and apparatus for identifying one or more properties of volatile substances.Proceeding from this, it was the object of the present invention to provide a method and a plant for examining a property of at least one material to absorb at least one odorant, which / these method and plant overcomes at least one disadvantage from the prior art. In particular, it should be possible with the method and the plant to investigate a property of at least one material, at least one odorant, in a quick, simple and / or cost-effective manner.The object is achieved by the method with the features of claim 1 and the system with the features of claim 11.According to the invention there is provided a method of inspecting a property of at least one material to absorb at least one odorant, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing at least one substance in a first container, the at least one substance being capable of releasing at least one odorant; b) providing at least one material in a second container, the at least one material being intended to be inspected for a property of absorbing the at least one odorant; c) providing a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; d) Passing the carrier gas from a carrier gas source through the first container, then via a first fluidic line which connects the first container to the second container, into the second container, and subsequently via a second fluidic line which connects the second container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, through the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; e) releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant by increasing the temperature of the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; f) determining the amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant.An odour substance can be understood to mean a substance which can be perceived by the human or animal nose.With the method according to the invention it is possible to investigate a property of at least one material, absorbing at least one odour substance, in a more rapid, simpler and less expensive manner than with known methods. An odour protection effect of a material to be tested can be investigated with the method according to the invention within hours to a few days.By providing the at least one substance suitable for releasing at least one odorant (odorant source) in the first container, the specific composition of the odorants contained in the odorant source is mapped without laminates (i.e. as well as possible). A preceding isolation of fragrances from the fragrance source can thus be omitted. In addition, it is not necessary to produce a test specimen from the odour source and the material to be tested (e.g. a sandwich plate or film thereof) before carrying out the method and to characterize the test specimen in a time-consuming manner. The method can therefore be carried out more easily, quickly and economically than known methods which require a preceding isolation of fragrances from the fragrance source and / or provide for a production of such a test specimen. By providing the at least one material to be tested for a property of absorbing the at least one odorant (test material) in the second container, a property of the test material of absorbing odorants from the odorant source is mapped without laminates (i.e., as well as possible). It is thus possible to dispense with the prior embedding of the test material in a polymeric matrix, i.e. a prior production of a test specimen (from the test material and the odour-releasing substance). This also eliminates the need for a subsequent time-consuming characterization of the test specimen. Consequently, the method can be carried out more easily, quickly and economically than known methods which provide for the production of such a test body.A further advantage of the method according to the invention is that even small amounts of the test material are sufficient for the investigation, i.e. an "overdosage" of the material to be tested in a test specimen is not required in order to be able to make a statement with respect to its absorption properties (i.e. a compounding limitation is dispensed with). This further contributes to the fact that the method can be carried out more cost-effectively.In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps:i) providing a second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, said second device being suitable for absorbing the at least one odorant in the same way as the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant;ii) passing the carrier gas from the first fluidic line via a third fluidic line, which connects the first fluidic line to the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, through the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant;iii) releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant by increasing the temperature of the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant;iv) determining the amount of the at least one odorant released from the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant;v) determining a difference of the quantity of the at least one odorant released from the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant from the quantity of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant;vi) Optionally: quantifying a property of the at least one material to absorb the at least one odorant from the determined difference.This procedure makes it possible to set a strength of a material present in the second container to absorb the at least one odorant in relation to an original total amount of the at least one odorant (i.e. a reference odorant amount), so that a property of the at least one material to absorb at least one odorant can be specified even more precisely. Optionally, said property or strength of the material can also be quantified, i.e. assigned to a percentage (e.g. 85% reduction of the at least one substance), for example. This quantification can be effected via a device for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant (e.g. a GC-MS instrument).The at least one substance provided in the first container may contain or consist of a polymeric plastic, optionally contain or consist of a polymeric plastic recyclate.Furthermore, the at least one substance provided in the first container may contain or consist of a natural substance, optionally contain or consist of lignin.Moreover, the at least one substance provided in the first container can be present at least partially as a solid in the first container, preferably in the form of a powder, granulate, plate or film.In addition, the at least one substance provided in the first container can be present at least partially as a liquid in the first container, wherein the liquid is optionally present on a carrier material. The carrier material preferably contains cotton and / or an absorbent or consists thereof.Apart from this, the at least one substance provided in the first container may be at least partly present as a gas in the first container, wherein the gas is optionally present absorbed by a carrier material.The at least one material provided in the second container may contain or consist of a substance selected from the group consisting of inorganic odor-reducing materials, organic odor-reducing materials and combinations thereof. The substance is preferably selected from the group consisting of zeolites, hydrotalcites, alkali metal carbonates, silicates, cyclodextrins, oxiranes, anhydrides, hydroxycarbonates and combinations thereof.Furthermore, the at least one material provided in the second container can be present at least partially as a solid in the second container, preferably in the form of a powder, granulate, a plate or a film, particularly preferably in the form of a powder charge.Apart from this, the at least one material provided in the second container may be at least partially present as liquid in the second container, wherein the liquid is optionally present on a carrier material. The carrier material preferably contains glass wool or consists thereof.In the method, the temperature of the first container and / or second container can be controlled or regulated via at least one temperature control device.The first container may include a temperature sensor.Further, the second container may include a temperature sensor.In addition, the first container and the second container can share a temperature control device or the first container can have a first temperature control device and the second container can have a second temperature control device.The carrier gas used in the method may include or consist of a gas selected from the group consisting of air, synthetic air, nitrogen, helium, and combinations thereof.Furthermore, the carrier gas used in the method can be conducted at a flow rate in the range from 1 to 1000 mL / min, preferably 4 to 50 mL / min, particularly preferably 8 to 12 mL / min, through the first container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, wherein the flow rate is preferably controlled with the aid of a mass flow controller.Apart from this, the carrier gas used in the method can be conducted through the first container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant over a period of 0.01 h to 100 h, preferably 0.1 h to 70 h, particularly preferably 0.3 h to 30 h, very particularly preferably 0.4 h to 4 h, in particular 0.5 h to 3 h, before the release of an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant is carried out by increasing the temperature of the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant.In the method, in the case of the first fluidic line which connects the first container to the second container, preferably also in the case of a third fluidic line which connects the first fluidic line to a second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, carrier gas can be supplied from at least one further first container via a further fluidic line which contains at least one substance which is suitable for releasing at least one odorant.Furthermore, in the method, carrier gas from the carrier gas source can be supplied via a further fluidic line in the case of the first fluidic line which connects the first container to the second container, preferably also in the case of a third fluidic line which connects the first fluidic line to a second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, in order to reduce a concentration of the at least one odorant.Apart from this, in the method, in the case of the first fluidic line which connects the first container to the second container, preferably also in the case of a third fluidic line which connects the first fluidic line to a second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, the carrier gas can be cooled in a cold trap in order to enrich the at least one odorant.Furthermore, in the method, in the case of the first fluidic line which connects the first container to the second container, preferably also in the case of a third fluidic line which connects the first fluidic line to a second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, the carrier gas can be conducted through an absorption device in order to absorb at least one impurity, wherein the at least one impurity preferably contains or consists of water.Optionally, in the method, at the first fluidic conduit connecting the first container to the second container, a flow of carrier gas may be divided to further direct the carrier gas into a plurality of further second containers each containing at least one material to be tested for a property of absorbing the at least one odorant.In the method, at the second fluidic line, which connects the second container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, carrier gas can be supplied from the carrier gas source via a further fluidic line in order to reduce a concentration of the at least one odorant.Furthermore, in the method, in the second fluidic line, which connects the second container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, the carrier gas can be cooled in a cold trap in order to enrich the at least one odorant. In addition, in the method, in the case of the second fluidic line which connects the second container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, the carrier gas can be conducted through an absorption device in order to absorb at least one impurity, wherein the at least one impurity preferably contains or consists of water.The device used in the method for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, preferably also a second device used in the method for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, may contain or consist of a tube for absorbing the at least one odorant, preferably a thermodesorption tube for absorbing the at least one odorant.Furthermore, the device used in the method for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, preferably also a second device used in the method for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, may contain or consist of a porous polymer. The porous polymer preferably contains or consists of 2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide (e.g. Tenax TA, Akzo Nobel Germany, Cologne, Germany) and / or polydimethylsiloxane. The porous polymer particularly preferably has a specific surface area of at least 30 m 2 / g of polymer.In addition, the device used in the method for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, preferably also a second device used in the method for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, may contain a casing which is made of stainless steel.Apart from this, the device used in the method for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, preferably also a second device used in the method for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, can contain or consist of a cold trap for cryofocusing the at least one odorant.In the method, the release of an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant can be effected by an increase in the temperature of the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant by a device which is suitable for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant (e.g. a TD-GC-MS device).In the method, the amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant can be determined by a device suitable for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, wherein said device can be a gas analyzer. The gas analyzer is preferably selected from the group consisting of GC device, GC-MS device, FID device, electronic nose, and combinations thereof. This device, together with the device suitable for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, can be a single device (e.g. a TD-GC-MS device).Furthermore, in the method, the amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant can be determined by (a port of a plant for) a human-sensory evaluation.According to the invention, there is further provided a plant for examining a property of at least one material to absorb at least one odour substance, the plant containing or consisting of:a) a first container containing a substance, said substance being capable of releasing at least one odorant;b) a second container containing at least one material, said at least one material being to be tested for a property of absorbing said at least one odorant;c) a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant of the at least one odorant;d) a first fluidic line connecting the first container to the second container;a second fluidic line connecting the second container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant;f) a carrier gas source for providing a carrier gas;g) a device for transporting carrier gas;h) a control unit;i) a device for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant;j) a device for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant and / or a port for a human-sensory evaluation; wherein the control unit is configured,causing the system to conduct carrier gas from the carrier gas source through the first container, then via the first fluidic line into the second container and subsequently via the second fluidic line through the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant,the device for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, to release an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant by increasing the temperature of the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; andthe device for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, to determine an amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, and / or to cause the device for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, to provide the amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant at a port for a human sensory evaluation.The plant according to the invention has the same advantages as the process according to the invention.In a preferred embodiment, the plant further comprisesi) a second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, said device being suitable for absorbing the at least one odorant in the same way as the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; andii) a third fluidic conduit connecting the first fluidic conduit to the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant;wherein the control unit of the installation is configured,causing the system to conduct carrier gas from the carrier gas source via the third fluidic line through the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant,causing an amount of the at least one odorant present in an apparatus for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant to be released in the second apparatus for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant by increasing the temperature of the second apparatus for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant;the device for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, causing the amount of the at least one odorant released from the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant to be determined, and determining a difference of the amount of the at least one odorant released from the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant to the amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, and optionally quantifying a property of the at least one material to absorb the at least one odorant from the determined difference; and / or causing the device for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant to provide the amount of the at least one odorant released from the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant at a further port for a human-sensory evaluation.This embodiment of the plant allows a thickness of a material present in the second container to absorb the at least one odorant to be set in relation to an original total amount of the at least one odorant (i.e. a reference odorant amount), so that a property of the at least one material to absorb at least one odorant can be specified even more precisely. For example, a human can compare the quantity of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, which quantity is provided at a port for a human-sensory evaluation of the plant, human-sensory with the quantity of the at least one odorant released from the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, which quantity is provided at a further port for a human-sensory evaluation of the plant, and thus determine a difference of the quantity of the at least one odorant released from the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant from the quantity of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, and assign a strength of the material to absorb the at least one odorant. Optionally, said property or strength of the material can also be quantified, i.e. assigned to a percentage (e.g. 85% reduction of the at least one substance), for example. This quantification can be effected via a device for determining an amount of the at least one odorant of the plant released from a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant (e.g. a GC-MS instrument).The at least one substance in the first container can contain or consist of a polymeric plastic, optionally contain or consist of a polymeric plastic recyclate.Furthermore, the at least one substance can contain or consist of a natural substance in the first container, optionally contain or consist of lignin.Apart from this, the at least one substance in the first container can be present at least partially as a solid in the first container, preferably in the form of a powder, granulate, plate or film.In addition, the at least one substance in the first container can be present at least partially as a liquid in the first container, wherein the liquid is optionally present on a carrier material. The carrier material preferably contains cotton and / or an absorbent or consists thereof.Moreover, the at least one substance in the first container may be at least partially present as a gas in the first container, wherein the gas is optionally absorbed by a carrier material.The at least one material in the second container may contain or consist of a substance selected from the group consisting of inorganic odor-reducing materials, organic odor-reducing materials and combinations thereof. The substance is preferably selected from the group consisting of zeolites, hydrotalcites, alkali metal aluminate carbonates, silicates, cyclodextrins, oxiranes, anhydrides, hydroxycarbonates and combinations thereof.Furthermore, the at least one material in the second container can be present at least partially as a solid in the second container, preferably in the form of a powder, granulate, plate or film, particularly preferably in the form of a powder charge.Apart from this, the at least one material in the second container can be present at least partially as a liquid in the second container, wherein the liquid is optionally present on a carrier material. The carrier material preferably contains glass wool or consists thereof.The plant can furthermore contain at least one temperature control device and the control unit of the plant can be configured to control or regulate the temperature of the first container and / or second container via the at least one temperature control device.The first container of the plant may contain a temperature sensor.Furthermore, the second container of the system may contain a temperature sensor.Apart from this, the first container and the second container may share a temperature control device or the first container may have a first temperature control device and the second container may have a second temperature control device.In the system, the carrier gas of the carrier gas source may include or consist of a gas selected from the group consisting of air, synthetic air, nitrogen, helium, and combinations thereof.Furthermore, the control unit of the plant can be configured to conduct the carrier gas of the carrier gas source through the first container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant at a flow rate in the range from 1 to 1000 mL / min, preferably 4 to 50 mL / min, particularly preferably 8 to 12 mL / min. The control unit of the plant is preferably configured to control the flow rate with the aid of a mass flow regulator of the plant.Apart from this, the control unit of the plant can be configured to conduct the carrier gas through the first container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant over a period of 0.01 h to 100 h, preferably 0.1 h to 70 h, particularly preferably 0.3 h to 30 h, very particularly preferably 0.4 h to 4 h, in particular 0.5 h to 3 h, before the control unit causes the device for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, to release an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant by increasing the temperature of the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant.The control unit of the plant can be configured to supply carrier gas from at least one further first container to the plant via a further fluidic line to the plant, which contains at least one substance suitable for releasing at least one odorant, preferably also in the case of a third fluidic line, which connects the first fluidic line to a second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant.Furthermore, the control unit of the plant can be configured to supply carrier gas from the carrier gas source via a further fluidic line to the plant in the case of the first fluidic line which connects the first fluidic line to the second container, preferably also in the case of a third fluidic line which connects the first fluidic line to a second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, in order to reduce a concentration of the at least one odorant.In addition, the control unit of the plant can be configured to cool the carrier gas in a cold trap of the plant in the case of the first fluidic line which connects the first container to the second container, preferably also in the case of a third fluidic line which connects the first fluidic line to a second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant.Apart from this, the control unit of the plant can be configured to, in the case of the first fluidic line which connects the first container to the second container, preferably also in the case of a third fluidic line which connects the first fluidic line to a second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, direct the carrier gas through an absorption device of the plant in order to absorb at least one impurity, wherein the at least one impurity preferably contains or consists of water.Optionally, the control unit may be optionally configured to divide a flow of carrier gas at the first fluidic conduit connecting the first container to the second container to further direct the carrier gas into a plurality of further second containers of the plant, each containing at least one material to be tested for a property of absorbing the at least one odorant.The control unit of the plant may be configured to supply carrier gas from the carrier gas source to the plant via a further fluidic line at the second fluidic line connecting the second container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, in order to reduce a concentration of the at least one odorant.Furthermore, the control unit of the plant can be configured to cool the carrier gas in a cold trap of the plant in the second fluidic line, which connects the second container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, in order to enrich the at least one odorant.In addition, the control unit of the plant can be configured, in the case of the second fluidic line which connects the second container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, to pass the carrier gas through an absorption device of the plant in order to absorb at least one impurity, wherein the at least one impurity preferably contains or consists of water.The device of the installation for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, preferably also a second device of the installation for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, can contain or consist of a tube for absorbing the at least one odorant, preferably a thermodesorption tube for absorbing the at least one odorant.Furthermore, the device of the installation for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, preferably also a second device of the installation for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, can contain or consist of a porous polymer, the porous polymer preferably containing or consisting of 2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide and / or polydimethylsiloxane.In addition, the device of the installation for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, preferably also a second device of the installation for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, can contain a casing which consists of stainless steel.Apart from this, the device of the installation for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, preferably also a second device of the installation for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, can contain or consist of a cold trap for cryofocusing the at least one odorant.The device of the system for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant can be a TD-GC-MS device.The device of the plant for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant can contain or consist of a gas analyzer. The gas analyzer is preferably selected from the group consisting of GC device, GC-MS device, FID device, electronic nose, and combinations thereof. This device, together with the device of the plant suitable for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, can be a single device (e.g. a TD-GC-MS device).Optionally, the device of the plant for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant can also contain a port for a human-sensory evaluation.The plant according to the invention, in particular the control unit of the plant according to the invention, can be configured to carry out the method according to the invention.The process and the plant according to the invention can serve to clarify structure-property relationships of odour protection additives. Furthermore, the method according to the invention and the plant according to the invention can serve for the development and (product) control of odour protection additives and / or polymer formulations (e.g. plastic formulations). Apart from this, the method and the plant according to the invention can serve for the development of products having a defined odor and a defined odor release behavior. In addition, the method and the plant according to the invention can serve for the development and optimization of recycling processes, which can reduce the costs and environmental effects of said recycling processes.The subject matter according to the invention is intended to be explained in more detail on the basis of the following figures and the following example, without wishing to restrict it to the specific embodiments illustrated here.FIG. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a plant according to the invention. The plant comprises a first container 3 containing a substance 2, said substance 2 being suitable for releasing at least one odorant, a second container 4 containing at least one material 1, said at least one material 1 being intended to be tested for a property of absorbing said at least one odorant, and a device 5 for holding and concentrating said at least one odorant (e.g. a tube suitable for absorbing said at least one odorant). The first container 3 is connected to the second container 4 via a first fluidic line 7, and the second container 4 is connected to the device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant via a second fluidic line 8. The system further contains a carrier gas source 6 for providing a carrier gas, which has a device 14 for transporting a carrier gas (e.g. a gas flow controller). In addition, the plant contains a control unit (not shown) as well as a device 15 for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, and a device 16 for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, which in this case represent a single device 15, 16. The single device 15, 16 may be a thermodesorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) device. The device(s) 15, 16 serve / serve for determining a type and amount of the at least one odorant which has been released from the first container 3 and, after passing through the second container 4, has been taken up by the device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant. The smaller the specific amount of the at least one odorant in the device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, the higher the odour protection effect of the material 1 (i.e. an odour protection additive) which is present in the second container 4, since a correspondingly high amount of the at least one odorant was absorbed by the material 1 in the second container 4 and could therefore not pass as far as the device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant. The first container 3 and the second container 4 are tempered in the plant by a tempering device 10. The control unit of the plant is configured to cause carrier gas from the carrier gas source 6 to be conducted through the first container 3, then via the first fluidic line 7 into the second container 4 and subsequently via the second fluidic line 8 through the device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant. Furthermore, the control unit of the plant is configured to cause the device 15 for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, to release an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant by increasing the temperature of the device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, and to cause the device 16 for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant to determine an amount of the at least one odorant released from the device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant.FIG. 2 schematically shows a second embodiment of a plant according to the invention, which is identical to the plant shown in FIG. 1, with the following differences: this plant furthermore contains a second device 5' for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant (e.g. a second tube suitable for absorbing the at least one odorant in the same way as the tube). The control unit of this plant is further configured to cause the plant to conduct carrier gas from the carrier gas source 6 via the third fluidic line 9 through the second device 5' for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant. In addition, the control unit of this plant is configured to cause the plant to release the device 15 for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant absorbed in a device 5, 5' for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, to release an amount of the at least one odorant absorbed in the second device 5' for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant by increasing the temperature of the second device 5' for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, and to cause the device 16 to determine an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device 5, 5' for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, determining the quantity of the at least one odorant released from the second device 5' for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant and determining a difference of the quantity of the at least one odorant released from the second device 5' for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant from the quantity of the at least one odorant released from the device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant. The device 15 for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant absorbed in a device 5, 5' for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant and the device 16 for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device 5, 5' for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant can also be a single device 15, 16 here (e.g. a TD-GC-MS device). The device(s) 15, 16 serve / serve for determining a type and amount of the at least one odorant which has been released from the first container 3 and, after passing through the second container 4, has been absorbed by the device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant and which has been absorbed in the second device 5' for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, bypassing the second container 4. The smaller the specific amount of the at least one odorant in the device 5 for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant is compared with the specific amount of the at least one odorant in the second device 5' for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, the higher the odour protection effect of the material 1 (i.e. an odour protection additive) present in the second container 4, wherein, by comparison with the specific amount of the at least one odorant in the second device 5' for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, it is possible to carry out a quantification of the odour-absorbing properties of the material 1 (present in the second container 4). Optionally, the control unit of this plant is configured to cause the plant to quantify from the determined difference a property of the at least one material 1 to absorb the at least one odorant.FIG. 3 schematically shows a third embodiment of a system according to the invention, which is identical to the system shown in FIG. 2, with the following differences: the first container 3 has a temperature sensor 11 and the second container 4 has a temperature sensor 11'. Furthermore, the first fluidic line 7, the second fluidic line 8 and the third fluidic line 9 each have a cold trap 12 and / or an absorption device 13. In addition, the system has a further fluidic line 17, via which carrier gas from the carrier gas source 5 can be supplied to the first fluidic line 7 bypassing the first container 3, optionally also to the second fluidic line 8 bypassing the second container 4, which can be done for dilution purposes. Apart from this, the system has an additional further fluidic line 17', via which carrier gas from the carrier gas source 5 can be supplied to the third fluidic line 9 bypassing the first container 3, which can be done for dilution purposes.FIG. 4 shows the results from the experiments of example 2 with a lignin-HDPE compound as odour source in the first container. The figure shows the VOC obtained for the second tube after a 3 hr flow time, i.e. the VOC without test material flowing through the second container after 3 hr (see "no test material" bars). The figure also shows the VOC value obtained for the respective first tube after a 3 hr flow time, i.e. the VOC value after flowing through the respective test material in the second container after the 3 hr (see "Test Material #1" bar, "Test Material #2" bar and "Test Material #3" bar). It can be deduced from the data that the test material #2 has the best odour-reducing properties in the case of a lignin-HDPE compound as odour source.FIG. 5 shows the results from the experiments of Example 2 with the polypropylene (PP) plastic recycle as odour source in the first container. The figure shows the VOC obtained for the second tube after a 3 hr flow time, i.e. the VOC without test material flowing through the second container after 3 hr (see "no test material" bars). The figure also shows the VOC value obtained for the respective first tube after a 3 hr flow time, i.e. the VOC value after flowing through the respective test material in the second container after the 3 hr (see "Test Material #1" bar, "Test Material #2" bar and "Test Material #3" bar). It can be deduced from the data that the test material #2 has the best odour-reducing properties in the case of the plastics polymer PP recyclate as odour source.FIG. 6 shows the results from the experiments of Example 2 with polystyrene (PS) plastic recycle as odour source in the first container. The figure shows the VOC obtained for the second tube after a 3 hr flow time, i.e. the VOC without test material flowing through the second container after 3 hr (see "no test material" bars). The figure also shows the VOC value obtained for the respective first tube after a 3 hr flow time, i.e. the VOC value after flowing through the respective test material in the second container after the 3 hr (see "Test Material #1" bar, "Test Material #2" bar and "Test Material #3" bar). It can be deduced from the data that test material #1 has the best odour-reducing properties in the case of PS recycle as odour source.In addition, in comparison with the investigations with PS recyclate as odour source with the investigations with lignin-HDPE compound as odour source or PP recyclate as odour source, it is possible to derive that different odours from different odour sources lead to different observations in the odour-reducing properties, as a result of which it is demonstrated that the method according to the invention allows structure-property relationships between an odour cause (i.e. at least one odour which is released by an odour source, such as a polymer) and at least one material (i.e. at least one odour protection additive). The method according to the invention thus makes it possible to investigate an odor-absorbing effect of unprocessed materials (i.e. odour protection additives) on different odour sources and to make a specific selection of at least one active, preferably also optimum, material (i.e. odour protection additive) for odour protection.Example 1 - Method for Qualitative Investigation of a Property of At Least One Material to Absorb At Least One OdorantIn the method, the following substances are provided in each case, which are suitable in each case for releasing at least one odorant (sources of odorant): in a first container: 1. lignin-HDPE compound (50% by weight of lignin natural in 50% by weight of HDPE, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft); 2. PP recyclate (dipoles PP 70, Borealis Polyefine GmbH, 4021 Linz, Austria, polypropylene-plastic recyclate); and 3. PS recyclate (polystyrene (PS) plastic from fishing).Furthermore, in the methods, the following materials, each of which is to be examined for a property of absorbing the at least one odour substance (test materials), are provided in a second container: 1. test material #1: ZeoEm 20 Extra Dry, ZEOCHEM, a.s., 094 34 Bystré 282, Slowakian Republic 2. test material #2: ZEOflair 100, Zeochem AG, 8630 Rüti, Switzerland 3. test material #3: ZEOflair 381, Zeochem AG, 8630 Rutti, SwitzerlandFurthermore, in the method, a Tenax TA tube is provided as a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant. The Tenax TA tube contains a porous polymer based on 2,6-diphenylene oxide with a specific surface area of 35 m 2 / g. Said polymer has a very low affinity for water and methanol and is suitable for absorbing at least one odour substance of the above mentioned substances.In the method, a carrier gas (here: N 2) from a carrier gas source (here: a nitrogen source) is conducted through the first container, then via a first fluidic line connecting the first container to the second container, into the second container, and subsequently via a second fluidic line connecting the second container to the tube, through the Tenax TA tube for a specific period of time (here: 3 h).An amount of the at least one odorant absorbed in the Tenax TA tube is released by thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) by increasing the temperature of the Tenax TA tube to 80° C. for 30 min, and the amount of the at least one odorant released from the tube is determined by GC-MS. In this case, the method can comprise conducting the odorants into a cold trap with the aid of a stream of inert gas and cryofocusing them there at -150° C. in order to enrich their concentration. To evaporate the focused odorants, the cold trap is rapidly heated to 280° C., and the evaporated odorants are subsequently separated by gas chromatography using a DB5 column and detected by mass spectrometry. An intensity of the odorants released from the respective odorant sources, which were not absorbed by the respective test material, can be quantified.The amount of the at least one odorant released from the Tenax TA tube can be determined on the basis of VDA 278. The semiquantitative VOC value (optionally also FOG value) is determined in this case. The VOC value (optionally also FOG value) allows an estimation of the emissions of volatile (VOC) (optionally also nonvolatile (FOG)) substances.By means of the method according to the invention, it is possible to qualitatively determine an absorption strength of the respective test materials for at least one odorant of the respective odorant sources. In other words, this procedure already allows different test materials to be tested qualitatively for their ability to absorb fragrances from a specific fragrance source, and to be able to compare them qualitatively with one another in terms of their absorption strength.Example 2 - Method for Quantitatively Investigating a Property of At Least One Material to Absorb At Least One OdorantIn order to be able to specify or quantify an absorption strength of the respective test materials for at least one odorant of the respective odorant sources more precisely, the following steps are also carried out in the method set forth in Example 1:A second Tenax TA tube is provided as a second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, and the carrier gas is conducted from the first fluidic line through the second tube via a third fluidic line, which connects the first fluidic line to the second tube, over the same period of time as in the case of the first Tenax TA tube (here: 3 h). As a result of this measure, the odorants of the respective odorant source pass directly into the second Tenax TA tube, bypassing the respective test materials ("bypass").This is followed by a release of an amount of the at least one odorant absorbed in the second Tenax TA tube by means of thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), by an increase of the temperature of the second Tenax TA tube to 80° C. over 30 min, and a determination of the amount of the at least one odorant released from the second Tenax TA tube by means of GC-MS. In this case, the method can comprise conducting the odorants into a cold trap with the aid of a stream of inert gas and cryofocusing them there at -150° C. in order to enrich their concentration. To evaporate the focused odorants, the cold trap is rapidly heated to 280° C., and the evaporated odorants are subsequently separated by gas chromatography using a DB5 column and detected by mass spectrometry. As a result, it is possible to quantify an intensity or quantity of the odorants released from the respective odorant sources without a reducing influence of the respective test materials, i.e. to quantify the original odorant quantity (or reference odorant quantity).The amount of the at least one odorant released from the second Tenax TA tube can be determined on the basis of VDA 278. The semiquantitative VOC value (optionally also FOG value) is determined in this case. The VOC value (optionally also FOG value) allows an estimation of the emissions of volatile (VOC) (optionally also nonvolatile (FOG)) substances.By determining a difference of the amount of the at least one odorant released from the second Tenax TA tube (=orient odorant amount or reference odorant amount) from the amount of the at least one odorant released from the Tenax TA tube (=orient amount after absorption to the respective test materials), it is possible to quantify an absorption strength of the respective test materials for at least one odorant of the respective odorant sources, i.e. to quantify a property of the at least one material to absorb the at least one odorant.List of reference characters1 A material to be tested for a property of identifying at least one odorant; 2 substance capable of releasing at least one odorant; 3 first container; 4 second container; 5 device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant (e.g. tube); 5' second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant (e.g. second tube); 6 carrier gas source (e.g. N 2- source); 7 first fluidic line; 8 second fluidic line; 9 third fluidic line; 10 temperature control device; 11 temperature sensor of the first container; 11' temperature sensor of the second container; 12 cold trap; 13 absorption device; 14 device for transporting carrier gas (e.g. gas flow controller); 15 Device for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant absorbed in a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; 16 Device for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; 17 Further fluidic line (for dilution with carrier gas); 17' Further fluidic line (for dilution with carrier gas).

Claims

A method for assaying a property of at least one material to absorb at least one odorant, comprising the steps of: a) providing at least one substance in a first container, wherein the at least one substance is suitable for releasing at least one odorant; b) providing at least one material in a second container, wherein the at least one material is to be tested for a property of absorbing the at least one odorant; c) providing a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; d) passing a carrier gas from a carrier gas source through the first container, then via a first fluidic line connecting the first container to the second container, into the second container, and subsequently via a second fluidic line connecting the second container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, through the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; e) releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant by increasing the temperature of the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; f) determining the amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant.Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the method further comprises the following steps: i) providing a second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, which device is suitable for absorbing the at least one odorant in the same way as the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; ii) passing the carrier gas from the first fluidic line via a third fluidic line, which connects the first fluidic line to the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, through the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; iii) releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant by increasing the temperature of the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; iv) determining the amount of the at least one odorant released from the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; v) determining a difference of the amount of the at least one odorant released from the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant from the amount of the at least one odorant to the amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; vi) optionally: quantifying a property of the at least one material to absorb the at least one odorant from the determined difference.Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one substance provided in the first container contains or consists of a polymeric plastic, optionally contains or consists of a polymeric plastic recyclate; and / or ii) contains or consists of a natural material, optionally contains or consists of lignin; and / or iii) is at least partially present as a solid in the first container, preferably in the form of a powder, granulate, a plate or a film; and / or iv) is at least partially present as a liquid in the first container, optionally present on a carrier material, wherein the carrier material preferably contains or consists of cotton and / or an absorbent; and / or v) is at least partially present as a gas in the first container, optionally absorbed by a carrier material.Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one material provided in the second container contains or consists of an agent selected from the group consisting of inorganic odour-reducing materials, organic odour-reducing materials and combinations thereof, wherein the agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of zeolites, hydrotalcites, alkali metal aluminate carbonates, silicates, cyclodextrins, oxiranes, anhydrides, hydroxycarbonates and combinations thereof; and / or ii) is at least partly present as a solid in the second container, preferably in the form of a powder, granules, a plate or a film, particularly preferably in the form of a powder bed; and / or iii) is present at least partially as a liquid in the second container, optionally present on a carrier material, wherein the carrier material preferably contains or consists of glass wool.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature of the first container and / or second container is controlled or regulated via at least one temperature control device, wherein preferably i) the first container contains a temperature sensor; and / or ii) the second container contains a temperature sensor; and / or iii) the first container and the second container share a temperature control device or the first container has a first temperature control device and the second container has a second temperature control device.Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier gas i) contains or consists of a gas selected from the group consisting of air, synthetic air, nitrogen, helium and combinations thereof; and / or ii) is conducted through the first container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant at a flow rate in the range from 1 to 1000 mL / min, preferably 4 to 50 mL / min, particularly preferably 8 to 12 mL / min, wherein the flow rate is preferably controlled by means of a mass flow controller; and / or iii) is conducted over a period of 0.01 h to 100 h, preferably 0.1 h to 70 h, particularly preferably 0.3 h to 30 h, very particularly preferably 0.4 h to 4 h, in particular 0.5 h to 3 h, through the first container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, before the release of an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant is carried out by increasing the temperature of the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the case of the first fluidic line which connects the first container to the second container, preferably also in the case of the third fluidic line which connects the first fluidic line to the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, i) carrier gas is supplied from at least one further first container via a further fluidic line which contains at least one substance which is suitable for releasing at least one odorant; and / or ii) carrier gas is supplied from the carrier gas source via a further fluidic line in order to reduce a concentration of the at least one odorant; and / or iii) the carrier gas is cooled in a cold trap in order to enrich the at least one odorant; and / or iv) passing the carrier gas through an absorption device to absorb at least one impurity, wherein the at least one impurity preferably contains or consists of water; optionally wherein at the first fluidic conduit connecting the first container to the second container, a stream of carrier gas is divided to further pass the carrier gas into a plurality of further second containers, each containing at least one material to be tested for a property to absorb the at least one impurity.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the case of the second fluidic line which connects the second container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, i) carrier gas is supplied from the carrier gas source via a further fluidic line in order to reduce a concentration of the at least one odorant; and / or ii) the carrier gas is cooled in a cold trap in order to enrich the at least one odorant; and / or iii) the carrier gas is passed through an absorption device in order to absorb at least one impurity, wherein the at least one impurity preferably contains or consists of water.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, preferably also the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, i) contains or consists of a tube for absorbing the at least one odorant, preferably a thermodesorption tube for absorbing the at least one odorant; and / or ii) contains or consists of a porous polymer, wherein the porous polymer preferably contains or consists of 2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide and / or polydimethylsiloxane; and / or iii) contains a jacket which consists of stainless steel; and / or iv) contains or consists of a cold trap for cryofocusing the at least one odorant.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant is determined by at least one of the following devices: i) a gas analyzer, wherein the gas analyzer is preferably selected from the group consisting of GC device, GC-MS device, FID device, electronic nose and combinations thereof; and ii) a port for a human sensory evaluation.A plant for assaying a property of at least one material to absorb at least one odorant, comprising or consisting of: a) a first container containing a substance, wherein the substance is suitable for releasing at least one odorant; b) a second container containing at least one material, wherein the at least one material is to be tested for a property of absorbing the at least one odorant; c) a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; d) a first fluidic line connecting the first container to the second container; e) a second fluidic line connecting the second container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; f) a carrier gas source for providing a carrier gas; g) a device for transporting carrier gas; h) a control unit; i) a device for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; j) a device for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant and / or a port for a human-sensory evaluation; wherein the control unit is configured to - cause the plant to conduct carrier gas from the carrier gas source through the first container, then via the first fluidic line into the second container and subsequently via the second fluidic line through the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, - cause the device for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, to release an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant by increasing the temperature of the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; and - the device for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, to determine an amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, and / or to cause the device for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, to provide the amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant at a port for a human sensory evaluation.The plant according to claim 11, characterized in that the plant further comprises i) a second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, suitable for absorbing the at least one odorant in the same way as the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; and ii) a third fluidic line, which connects the first fluidic line to the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; wherein the control unit of the plant is configured to - cause the plant to conduct carrier gas from the carrier gas source via the third fluidic line through the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, - cause the device for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, to release an amount of the at least one odorant present in the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant by increasing the temperature of the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; the device for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, causing the amount of the at least one odorant released from the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant to be determined, and determining a difference of the amount of the at least one odorant released from the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant to the amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, and optionally quantifying a property of the at least one material to absorb the at least one odorant from the determined difference; and / or causing the device for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant to provide the amount of the at least one odorant released from the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant at a further port for a human-sensory evaluation.Plant according to either of Claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the at least one substance i) comprises or consists of a polymeric plastic, optionally comprises or consists of a polymeric plastic recyclate; and / or ii) comprises or consists of a natural material, optionally comprises or consists of lignin; and / or iii) is present at least partly as a solid in the first container, preferably in the form of a powder, granulate, a plate or a film; and / or iv) is present at least partly as a liquid in the first container, optionally is present on a carrier material, wherein the carrier material preferably comprises or consists of cotton and / or an absorbent; and / or v) is present at least partly as a gas in the first container, optionally absorbed by a carrier material.Plant according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the at least one material i) contains or consists of a substance selected from the group consisting of inorganic odour-reducing materials, organic odour-reducing materials and combinations thereof, wherein the substance is preferably selected from the group consisting of zeolites, hydrotalcites, alkali metal aluminate carbonates, silicates, cyclodextrins, oxiranes, anhydrides, hydroxycarbonates and combinations thereof; and / or ii) is at least partially present as a solid in the second container, preferably in the form of a powder, granules, a plate or a film, particularly preferably in the form of a powder bed; and / or iii) is at least partially present as a liquid in the second container, optionally present on a carrier material, wherein the carrier material preferably contains or consists of glass wool.The plant according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the plant further comprises at least one temperature control device and the control unit of the plant is configured to control or regulate the temperature of the first container and / or second container via the at least one temperature control device, wherein preferably i) the first container comprises a temperature sensor; and / or ii) the second container comprises a temperature sensor; and / or iii) the first container and the second container share a temperature control device or the first container comprises a first temperature control device and the second container comprises a second temperature control device.The plant according to any of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that i) the carrier gas of the carrier gas source contains or consists of a gas selected from the group consisting of air, synthetic air, nitrogen, helium and combinations thereof; and / or ii) the control unit of the plant is configured to direct the carrier gas of the carrier gas source through the first container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant at a flow rate in the range of 1 to 1000 mL / min, preferably 4 to 50 mL / min, particularly preferably 8 to 12 mL / min, wherein the control unit of the plant is preferably configured to control the flow rate by means of a mass flow regulator of the plant; and / or iii) the control unit of the plant is configured to direct the carrier gas through the first container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant over a period of 0.01 h to 100 h, preferably 0.1 h to 70 h, particularly preferably 0.3 h to 30 h, very particularly preferably 0.4 h to 4 h, in particular 0.5 h to 3 h, before the control unit causes the device for releasing an amount of the at least one odorant present in a device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, to release an amount of the at least one odorant present in the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant by increasing the temperature of the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant.Plant according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the control unit of the plant is configured to supply, at the first fluidic line connecting the first container to the second container, preferably also at a third fluidic line connecting the first fluidic line to the second device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, i) carrier gas from at least one further first container to the plant via a further fluidic line to the plant, which contains at least one substance suitable for releasing at least one odorant; and / or ii) carrier gas from the carrier gas source via a further fluidic line to the plant in order to reduce a concentration of the at least one odorant; and / or iii) cool the carrier gas in a cold trap of the plant in order to enrich the at least one odorant; and / or iv) passing the carrier gas through an absorption device of the plant to absorb at least one impurity, wherein the at least one impurity preferably contains or consists of water; wherein the control unit is optionally configured to split a stream of carrier gas at the first fluidic line connecting the first container to the second container to further pass the carrier gas into a plurality of further second containers of the plant, each containing at least one material to be tested for a property to absorb the at least one impurity.Plant according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the control unit of the plant is configured to supply carrier gas from the carrier gas source via a further fluidic line of the plant at the second fluidic line connecting the second container to the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant; and / or ii) cool the carrier gas in a cold trap of the plant in order to enrich the at least one odorant; and / or iii) pass the carrier gas through an absorption device of the plant in order to absorb at least one impurity, wherein the at least one impurity preferably contains or consists of water.Plant according to one of Claims 11 to 18, characterized in that the device of the plant for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, preferably also the second device of the plant for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant, i) contains or consists of a tube for absorbing the at least one odorant, preferably a thermodesorption tube for absorbing the at least one odorant; and / or ii) contains or consists of a porous polymer, the porous polymer preferably containing or consisting of 2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide and / or polydimethylsiloxane; and / or iii) contains a jacket which consists of stainless steel; and / or iv) contains or consists of a cold trap for cryofocusing the at least one odorant.The plant according to any one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that the device for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant contains or consists of a gas analyzer, wherein the gas analyzer is preferably selected from the group consisting of GC device, GC-MS device, FID device, electronic nose and combinations thereof, wherein the device for determining an amount of the at least one odorant released from the device for holding and concentrating the at least one odorant optionally further contains a port for a human sensory evaluation.Plant according to any one of claims 11 to 20, characterised in that the plant, in particular the control unit of the plant, is configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images