BUCK Scientific Electron Capture Detector (ECD)

• Thermostatted from ambient to 375 ^degree C
• Offers extreme sensitivity down to 10 ppt
• Detects electronegative compounds
• Mandated for pesticides and PCBs

The ECD detects electronegative compounds, especially chlorinated, fluorinated or brominated molecules such as carbon tetrachloride, bromoform, PCBs and pesticides such as DDT. The ECD offers extreme sensitivity (parts per trillion for SF₆).

This chromatogram shows the ECD response to a 200ppb pesticide sample.

Our ECD consists of a stainless steel cylinder containing radioactive Nickel-63. The Nickel-63 emits beta particles (electrons) which collide with the carrier gas molecules, ionizing them in the process. This forms a stable cloud of free electrons in the ECD cell. When electro-negative compounds enter the cell, they immediately combine with some of the electrons, temporarily reducing the number remaining in the electron cloud. The detector electronics, which maintain a constant current (about 1 nanoampere) through the electron cloud, are forced to pulse at a faster rate to compensate for the decreased number of free electrons. The pulse rate is converted to an analog output, which is connected to the data system.

Because it contains only 5 millicuries of Nickel-63, the ECD is covered by a "general license," which requires a periodic wipe test and the filing of a form with your state's Department of Health or Radiation Safety. In most states, no annual fee is required.

EPA Method - 502_2 - VOC by Purge and trap GC with PID and ECD.pdf
EPA Method - 502_2re - VOC in water via Purge and trap GC with PID and ECD.pdf
EPA Method - 504_1 - EDB-DBCP - ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 505 - PESTICIDES AND PCB via ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 505_21 - ORGANOHALIDE PESTICIDES by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 507 - NITROGEN- AND PHOSPHORUS-NPD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 508 - CHLORINATED PESTICIDES by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 508_11 - PESTICIDES - HERBICIDES - ECD - GC.pdf
EPA Method - 508_1re2 - PESTICIDES - HERBICIDES - ECD - GC.pdf
EPA Method - 508_a - POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS BY ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 508rev31 - CHLORINATED PESTICIDES by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 509rev1 - ETHYLENE THIOUREA ETU by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 515_1 - CHLORINATED ACIDS by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 515_1re4 - CHLORINATED ACIDS by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 515_2 - CHLORINATED ACIDS by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 515_3 - CHLORINATED ACIDS in drinking water by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 548 - Endothall in Drinking water by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 551 - CHLORINATION DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 551_1 - CHLORINATION DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 552 - HALOACETIC ACIDS IN DRINKING WATER by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 552_1 - HALOACETIC ACIDS AND DALAPON by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 552_2 - HALOACETIC ACIDS AND DALAPON by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 602 - PURGEABLE AROMATICS in water by Purge and trap ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 606 - PHTHALATE ESTER by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 608_1 - Organochlorine Pesticides by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 608_2 - Organochlorine in waste water by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 609 - NITROAROMATICS AND ISOPHORONE by ECD FID GC.pdf
EPA Method - 611 - HALOETHERS by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 612 - CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 614_1 - Organophosphorus Pesticides by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 615 - Chlorinated Herbicides by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 617 - Organohalide Pesticides and PCB by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 618 - Volatile pesticides by ECD GC.pdf
EPA Method - 627 - Dinitroaniline Pesticides by ECD GC.pdf
EPA method - 601 - ORGANIC CHEMICAL ANALYSIS Purge and trap ECD GC.pdf
EPA method - 646 - dinitro aromatic pesticides by ECD GC.pdf