Apparatus for detection of chloromethyl methyl ether or bis-chloromethyl ether

Claim 1

Apparatus to determine the presence of chloromethyl methyl ether or bis-chloromethyl ether in a fluid comprising: a. an enclosed reaction chamber; b. first means for introducing a predetermined amount of an alkali metal salt of an organic hydroxy compound, dissolved in a lower alcohol, into said reaction chamber; c. means for passing a preselected amount of said fluid into admixture with said compound in said chamber; d. second means for introducing a liquid hydrocarbon solvent into said reaction chamber, which solvent is characterized as being immiscible with, and capable of floating upon, said lower alcohol solution; e. means for agitating any liquid in said chamber; f. a gas chromatographic column; g. a suitable detector adapted to receive effluent from said column and to provide an output signal; h. means for selectively withdrawing part of said solvent, as a liquid, from said chamber without withdrawing any significant portion of said lower alcohol solution, said apparatus thereby being adapted for the carrying out of a solvent extraction step within said chamber; i. means, including a sample injection valve, for applying said withdrawn liquid solvent to said chromatographic column; j. means for eluting components from said column and for transporting said components to said suitable detector; k. output signal display means coupled to said detector; and l. timed controller means for sequentially controlling said first and second means for introducing, means for passing, means for withdrawing solvent as a liquid, and means for applying.