Compact spectral analyzer of heavy-metal impurities in air

This paper describes the fundamental layout of a compact device for rapid analysis of heavymetal vapors and aerosols in air. The device is based on an original source for exciting the luminescence spectra of air. The source is a stabilized dc arc with a thermochemical cathode in which the air is pumped through the interelectrode gap. The luminescence spectrum of air is recorded by a linear position-sensitive CCD photodetector. The spectrum is processed and digitized by a special controller. The device makes it possible to determine the concentration in air of heavy-metal vapors and aerosols in real time at a level of 0.5 of the maximum permissible concentration.