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Static "head space" GC for contaminant diffusivity measurement through LDPE film
Author(s) -
Desobry S.,
Mousavi M.,
Michalski M. C.,
Hardy J.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
packaging technology and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.365
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1099-1522
pISSN - 0894-3214
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1522(199707)10:4<229::aid-pts409>3.0.co;2-f
Subject(s) - low density polyethylene , thermal diffusivity , benzene , polyethylene , diffusion , gas chromatography , analytical chemistry (journal) , materials science , propanol , contamination , head (geology) , chemistry , chromatography , composite material , thermodynamics , organic chemistry , physics , methanol , ecology , geomorphology , biology , geology
Residual contaminants in processed packaging material could migrate into foodstuffs and alter their quality. To measure contaminant transfer rate through wrapping material, a diffusion cell adapted to "head space" gas chromatography was created in our laboratory. It was composed of two chambers separated by the film to be studied, e.g. low density polyethylene film. A 15 μl mixture of liquid n ‐propanol and benzene was deposited in the lower chamber of the cell. At 60°C vaporized contaminant diffused through the low density polyethylene film. After calibration, chromatographic analysis of the upper chamber atmosphere allowed measurement of contaminant concentration for various diffusion times. From these results contaminant diffusivities were calculated to be 3.5×10 11 , 3.9×10 11 and 10.4×10 11 m 2 s 1 for 1‐propanol, 2‐propanol and benzene respectively. It was demonstrated that the method was sensitive and allowed precise determination of contaminant diffusivity. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.