VOC emissions from materials

The Field and Laboratory Emission Cell (FLEC^®) is used for testing VOC emissions from planar materials and coatings in compliance with international standard methods.  It offers a low-cost and easy-to-use alternative to conventional, large scale emission chambers.  

The FLEC^® is widely used in product development, industrial quality control and in environmental monitoring for sources of indoor air pollution.  Samples compatible with VOC emission testing using FLEC^® include; water-based paints, wood panel products, adhesives, flooring products, sealants, carpeting and ceiling tiles. 

Principles of operation
FLEC^® is constructed of acid resisting stainless steel with a polished inner surface designed to eliminate sink effects.  It is placed onto the material to be tested such that the surface of the material effectively becomes one wall of a mini test chamber.  A controlled flow of purified and humidified air enters the cell and passes over the test material at flow rates simulating real-world conditions.  Exhaust gases from FLEC^® are typically collected in sorbent tubes and analysed using thermal desorption - GC(-MS) technology as described in international standard methods.  

Accessories and applications
A range of accessories are available to extend the application range of FLEC^® technology.  These include test plates for carpets, paints and coatings, rubber flooring etc.

Markes International Ltd. is the only worldwide OEM distributor for FLEC^® and is the exclusive UK & Ireland distributor.  We are proud to promote and distribute the system worldwide.

For part numbers and pricing please contact your local Markes distributor or visit our on-line shop. 

Relevant technical support publications from Markes International can be automatically downloaded from this web site (registration required). Examples include:

• Brochure - Field and Laboratory Emission Cell (FLEC^®).
• TDTS 55 - Using the FLEC^® Cell to determin volatile organic emissions from indoor materials and products.
• TDTS 56 - TD-GC-MS analysis of VOCs for materials emissions testing.
• TDTS 70 - Materials emissions testing using the FLEC^® cell:  Testing recovery and sink effects.
• TDTS 71 - Summary of FLEC^® applications.
• TDTS72 - Comparison of FLEC^® with conventional chambers for testing VOC emissions from materials - summary of published data.

Other thermal desorption sampling accessories available from Markes include: 

Air sampling pumps
MTS-32 sequential tube sampler
Bio-VOC breath sampler
VOC-Mole soil probe
µ-CTE Micro-Chamber / Thermal Extractor
Calibration Solution Loading Rig
TC-20 tube conditioner
Pneumatic control accessory
Digital flowmeter
Helium Gas Leak Detector
Sorbent tubes for Thermal Analysis - Evolved Gas Collection 


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