An experimental laboratory reactor for quantitative kinetic studies of disinfection byproduct formation using membrane inlet mass spectrometry.

Rationale: The type and quantity of environmentally problematic disinfection byproducts (DBPs) produced during chlorination of water depend on the natural organic matter and organic contaminants that raw water contains, and on the operational conditions of the drinking water treatment process. There is a need for a fast and quantitative method that determines which DBPs are produced and monitors the chemical dynamics during a drinking water treatment.

Methods: A small experimental chemical reactor (50 mL) was mounted directly onto the membrane inlet interface of a membrane inlet mass spectrometer (MIMS).