A gas chromatograph for citizen science

A proof of the principle of a gas chromatograph (GC) assembled using consumer products and operating with ambient air as a carrier gas and a gas sensor as a detector is described. Due to the wide availability of parts, as well as low cost (about one hundred Euros) this chromatograph serves as an example of a simple and portable instrument, which could be used in citizen science projects. A case study of analysis of light hydrocarbons demonstrates that the instrument operates at a detection limit of 600 ppm (mol/mol) and has a linear dynamic range of two orders of magnitude. The instrument meets the requirements set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for detection of light hydrocarbon levels at gasoline stations.