Air Sampling Canister
Air sampling canisters are designed for the collection and storage of TO-14 and TO-15 target compounds, as well as a wide range of other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air. As the primary sample container, canisters play a critical role in preserving sample integrity throughout the entire VOC analysis workflow.
Nutech Canister Technical Data
| Specifications | 1/3/6/15L |
| Material | 316L Stainless Steel |
| Inner Surface Treatment | Inert Silicon Coating |
| Maximum Pressure | 40psi |
Nutech Canister Features
1. Ultra-Inert Internal Surface for Maximum Sample Integrity
The canister features an advanced ultra-inert silicon coating applied via vapor-phase deposition, combined with precision surface treatment technology to minimize adsorption and reactivity.
This ensures excellent recovery and stability of a wide range of compounds, including:
- Sulfur- and nitrogen-containing VOCs (ppb level)
- Polar compounds (aldehydes, alcohols, esters, ketones, ethers)
- Non-polar hydrocarbons
Samples can be collected with minimal loss and stored reliably over extended holding times.
2. Full System Compatibility and Rugged Construction
Fully compatible with all major sampling systems, cleaning systems, gas dilution systems, and preconcentration platforms available on the market.
Constructed from high-quality stainless steel, the canister and valve assembly offer:
- Excellent mechanical strength
- Resistance to harsh field conditions
- Long service life in demanding environments
3. Excellent Leak Tightness and Vacuum Performance
Each canister is tested for leak integrity by pressurizing to 30 psi with nitrogen and monitoring pressure stability over 24 hours.
Performance specification:
- Pressure drop ≤ 0.1 psi over 24 hours
- Achievable vacuum level: ≤ 50 mTorr
This ensures reliable sample storage and prevents contamination or dilution.
4. High-Performance Diaphragm Valve Design
Equipped with a precision diaphragm valve featuring an isolated sealing structure with no packing materials, eliminating potential contamination sources.
Key specifications:
- Maximum pressure: 250 psig
- Maximum temperature: 200 °C
- Dead volume: < 5 µL
- Internal volume: 150 µL
- Service life: > 15,000 open/close cycles
The robust design prevents sealing degradation caused by over-tightening and ensures long-term airtight performance.
5. Optional Pressure Gauge Configuration
An integrated pressure gauge is available as an option for convenient pressure monitoring during sampling and storage.
Advantages of Collecting Ambient Air Samples in Canisters
- Convenient integration of ambient air samples over a defined sampling period, such as 24 hours
- Enables remote field sampling with centralized laboratory analysis
- Easy storage and shipment of collected samples
- Supports unattended sample collection
- Allows samples from multiple locations to be analyzed using a single analytical system
- Provides sufficient sample volume for replicate analysis, precision evaluation, and/or analysis by multiple analytical systems
- Offers good storage stability for many VOCs, with holding times of up to 30 days for suitable compounds and conditions
| Canisters | Sorbents | Bags | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1.4/6L) | (Charcoal, TD) | Tedlar | |
| Wide variety of sampling options | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Suitable for grab sampling | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Suitable for time-integrated sampling | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multiple analyses from the same container | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Samples are stable up to 30 days | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Suitable for high-humidity samples | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Wide variety of potential analyses | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Suitable for TRH up to C16 | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Suitable for permanent gases | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Suitable for wide concentration ranges | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No pumps or on-site measurement required | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ |
Source: ALS Global Website
32L Summa Canister
the biggest on the market
Customer Testimonial
Advanced Inert Silicon Coating Technology for High-Integrity VOC Sampling
A nanometer-scale, glass-like silicon oxide layer deposited via vapor-phase technology, providing a fully inert and non-reactive surface for VOC sampling.
1. True Inert Surface – Protect Your Sample, Not Just the Canister
In untreated stainless steel canisters (e.g., Summa canister), exposed metal sites (Fe, Ni, Cr oxides) can catalyze adsorption, decomposition, or transformation of VOCs—particularly for reactive or polar compounds.
Our technology utilizes a glass-like, silica-based inert coating, forming a continuous non-metallic barrier across the entire internal surface. This coating effectively eliminates catalytic activity and prevents direct interaction between the sample and the metal substrate.
Result:
- Improved recovery of reactive VOCs
- Reduced sample loss and transformation
- Reliable data at trace levels (ppbv to ppt)
2. Superior Chemical Resistance – Built for Real-World Sampling Conditions
The inert silicon coating provides excellent resistance to corrosive environments, including acidic gases and high humidity.
Compared to uncoated 316L stainless steel, corrosion rates in strong acid environments (e.g., 6M HCl) are reduced by approximately 20–50×.
Result:
- Extended canister service life
- Stable performance in harsh industrial and stack sampling conditions
- Reduced maintenance and replacement costs
3. Permanent Bonding – No Peeling, No Compromise
The coating is chemically bonded at the molecular level, forming a dense, nanometer-scale layer (typically 40–150 nm).
Unlike conventional surface treatments, the coating remains stable under:
- Thermal cycling
- Mechanical handling and transport
- Long-term operational use
Result:
- Consistent inertness over time
- No risk of contamination from coating degradation
- Reliable long-term performance
4. Complete Surface Coverage – No Hidden Active Sites
The coating is applied via vapor-phase deposition technology, enabling uniform coverage across all accessible surfaces, including:
- Micro-scratches
- Weld seams
- Internal corners and dead volumes
These are typically the most problematic areas for adsorption and memory effects.
Result:
- Elimination of localized active sites
- Reduced carryover and memory effects
- Improved reproducibility across sampling cycles
5. Surface Smoothing – Minimize Adsorption at the Source
The coating preferentially deposits within microscopic surface defects, effectively smoothing the internal surface.
Result:
- Reduced effective surface area for adsorption
- Faster equilibration of VOCs
- Improved recovery of semi-volatile and polar compounds
6. Optical Appearance – A Visible Indicator of Coating Quality
The inert silicon coating itself is colorless; however, thin-film interference produces characteristic iridescent colors (e.g., blue, purple, rainbow tones) depending on coating thickness and substrate.
Unlike painted or chemically colored surfaces, this appearance is:
- Semi-transparent
- Metallic in luster
- Permanently bonded to the substrate
Result:
- Visual confirmation of uniform coating
- Consistent manufacturing quality
- No peeling or fading under thermal or mechanical stress
Why It Matters for EPA Method TO-15
For canister-based VOC analysis, data quality depends on maintaining sample integrity from collection through analysis.
Insufficient surface inertness can lead to:
- Loss of reactive compounds (e.g., aldehydes, sulfur-containing VOCs)
- Formation of artifacts
- Poor calibration stability and recovery
Inert silicon coating ensures:
- Accurate quantitation at trace levels
- Compliance with regulatory requirements
- Confidence in extended sample holding times
Summa Canisters in Lab
Summa Canisters Sampling Instruction by NYSDEC
Supported Methods & Standards
Nutech instruments are designed to support a wide range of internationally recognized monitoring methods and standards.
US EPA Method TO-14A/15/15A
Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Air Collected in Specially Prepared Canisters and Analyzed by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
US EPA Method 327
Fugitive and Area Source Measurement of Selected Volatile Organic Hazardous Air Pollutants Using Specially Prepared Canisters
US EPA Method OTM-50
Sampling and Analysis of Volatile Fluorinated Compounds from Stationary Sources Using Passivated Stainless Steel Canisters
NIOSH Method 3900
Volatile Organic Compounds, C1 to C10, Canister Method
ASTM D5466-21
Standard Test Method for Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Atmospheres (Canister Sampling, Mass Spectrometry Analysis Methodology)
GAW (Global Atmosphere Watch) Report 204
Standard Operating Procedures for Air Sampling in Stainless Steel Canisters for Non-Methane Hydrocarbons Analysis
China HJ 759
Ambient air-Determination of volatile organic compounds- Collected by specially-prepared canisters and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
China HJ 1444
Ambient air－Determination of 10 sulfur compounds－Collected in canisters and analyzed by preconcentration/gas chromatography
Japan National VOCs Analysis Standard (7 Compound with TO-17 and 14 Compound with TO-15)
Manual for Measurement Methods for Monitoring Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Concentrations in Ambient Air
Japanese original name: 環境大気中の揮発性有機化合物（VOC）濃度モニタリングに係る測定方法マニュアル
Taiwan NIEA A715.16B
Method for Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Air Collected in Canisters and Analyzed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
Taiwan NIEA A741.12B
Method for Determination of N-Butyl Acetate and Other VOCs in Air Collected in Canisters and Analyzed by GC/MS
