A pre-packaged kit for the simultaneous analysis of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) in water samples.

Abstract

The invention proposes a pre-packaged kit for the simultaneous analysis of two groups of substances, trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), in water samples using space-vapor gas chromatography (HS-GC). The kit consists of a precisely quantified reaction mixture containing anhydrous sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) as the salt effector, tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate (TBA-HSO4) as the phase transfer catalyst, and dimethyl sulfate (DMS) as the alkylating agent, combined with the microsolvent n-pentane (n-pentane). The salt and catalyst are compressed into single-dose tablets or freeze-dried powder. This solution automates the sample pre-processing, isolates the user from hazardous chemicals, and utilizes an organic solvent film as a thermodynamic shield to prevent the degradation of HAAs into spurious THMs, thereby improving the sensitivity and reproducibility of the measurement. Patent classification: G01N33 / 18