A new method to reduce the desorption time of a QCM sensor, using a halogen spot for heating

The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) can be used as a mass sensor in the gas phase. It is suitable for online monitoring volatile organic compounds in a broad spectrum of every day life situations, i.e. monitoring certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the work place or to control the ripening of cheese. It is desirable to have a short period of time in between measurements. First it safes time for the user on mobile units, secondly the online survey of VOCs is more precise and alarm system can be triggered earlier. This paper explains a new method using two standard halogen spots. In one spot the light bulb is replaced with QCM and the socket is modified to hold the quartz. Both spots are merged with a brass ring in the middle for gas inlet and outlet. Switching on the light bulb during desorption phase, reduces the time of desorption enormously.