Residual solvent analysis with hyper-fast gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and a liquid carbon dioxide cryofocusing in less than 90 s

A fast thermal desorption unit for micro thermal desorption tubes, Part I: Development of the system and proof of concept measurements with hyper-fast gas chromatography

A system consisting of a thermal desorption unit (TDU) and micro thermal desorption tubes (μTD-tubes, 1.4 mm I.D., 10mg Tenax TA) for fast desorption of analytes was developed for the efficient combination of hyper fast gas chromatography with thermal desorption. The fast desorption is achieved by a significantly reduced thermal mass compared to conventional thermal desorption tubes. Therefore, extremely fast heating and cooling cycles are possible. Proof of concept measurements combining the new setup with a flow-field thermal gradient gas chromatograph (FF-TG-GC) and FID detection show good precision and linearity with R2≥0.995 in the analysis of an n-alkane mix (C8-C20). Thermal desorption occurs within 12s. The impact of reduced μTD-tube dimensions on desorption time, full width at half maximum (FWHM), breakthrough volumes, tube flow rates ergo linear velocities, porosity and back pressure is discussed.

Relation between characteristic temperature and elution temperature in temperature programmed gas chromatography - part I: Influence of initial temperature and heating rate

The development of new analytical methods can save resources, time and costs if there are prediction tools like computer simulation which support the optimization process. In GC the distribution-centric 3-parameter model (K-centric model) is well established for prediction of retention factors k and retention times but laborious isothermal measurements for determination of the characteristic parameters are needed. For the most important parameter, the characteristic temperature Tchar, the search for simpler determination methods or even estimates is an interesting research topic. In this work the elution temperatures for 37 fatty acid methyl esters, 6 BTEXs and 40 other volatile substances are determined by measurements under variable heating rates, initial temperatures, constant pressure mode and constant flow mode. The relationship between the measured elution temperature and the characteristic temperature was investigated. The novel multivariate curve fit model presented in this study describes accurately the relation between the characteristic temperature Tchar and elution temperatures Telu under variable heating rates RT, respectively, and initial temperature Tinit conditions. The novel model shows good accordance to earlier estimation models and expands the prediction range, especially for high volatile compounds. The model is suitable for determination of Tchar by estimated Telu and vice versa. Predictions of retention times of simple temperature programs were also possible by using the model with relative deviations < 5% compared to measurements.

Enhancing Chromatographic Analysis: A Novel Cryo-Enrichment Module for GC Analysis of Terpenes in Cannabis sativa

This study presents the development and validation of a gas chromatography (GC) method using cryo-enrichment for the analysis of α-pinene and β-caryophyllene in Cannabis sativa plant. Cryo-enrichment is a method that involves cooling part of the GC column to improve some aspect of chromatographic analysis. The aim of this study was to improve upon previous GC cryo-enrichment prototype and to create and validate a method for the analysis of these terpene compounds, which have received increasing attention for their medicinal properties. The improved cryo-enrichment device used in this study was built in-house and used a custom-built aluminum GC column holder cooled by a two-stage cryo-cooler. The validated method was found to be precise, accurate and sensitive, with good repeatability.

Programmable smart fast gas chromatograph and open probe controller

Today, labs that carry out chemical analyses for regulation, food safety, health, forensics, or even security purposes are looking for ways to accelerate the analytical process. Slow procedures are costly because the necessary instruments are expensive and require maintenance and a highly trained staff to operate them. One of the more ubiquitous instruments in such labs is a Gas Chromatograph (GC), which accepts a solution and outputs each of the compounds within it in a gaseous form, one by one to be further analyzed and identified, usually by a Mass Spectrometer (MS). This separation process in a GC can be rather time-consuming, partly due to the slow heating and cooling of the GC column through which the compounds move, which happens inside a box-shaped oven. This paper describes a controller developed for a unique Open Probe Fast GC instrument that enables, among other things, high-speed and controlled heating and cooling of a gas-carrying capillary transfer line. Fast heating is achieved by precisely controlling the electrical current flowing through the small inner-diameter steel tube through which the GC column passes. The fast cooling occurs by exposing the low-mass heated tube to room temperature, along with the assistance of a simple fan that carries the heated air away. This technology also supports control of other system parts, including a unique quick sampling device called an Open Probe that allows for an even faster analysis cycle. Our design is based entirely on a digital signal processor (DSP) and digital control. The use of pulse width modulation (PWM) control enables a compact and efficient system.