gas chromatograph (GC)

Gas chromatography is a technique for separating chemical substances that

relies on differences in partitioning behavior between a flowing mobile phase and
a stationary phase to separate the components in a mixture. The flame ionization
detector (FID) is the most sensitive gas chromatographic detector for
hydrocarbons such as butane or hexane.
Principle of gas chromatography: The sample solution injected into the
instrument enters a gas stream which transports the sample into a separation
tube known as the "column." (Helium or nitrogen is used as the so-called carrier
gas.) The various components are separated inside the column. The detector
measures the quantity of the components that exit the column. To measure a
sample with an unknown concentration, a standard sample with known
concentration is injected into the instrument. The standard sample peak retention
time (appearance time) and area are compared to the test sample to calculate the
concentration.
 Type of GC at Chem. Eng.
Department

Agilent 6890 Gas Chromatograph with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID)

 Type of GC at Chem. Eng.
Department

2.
Shimazu 14 A Gas Chromatograph with Thermal Conductivity Detector (GC-
TCD)
List of Capillary Column
Temperature
Phase Applications Polarity
range °C
HP-FFAP
(Nitroterephthalic acid modified Acids, Alcohols, Aldehydes, Acrylates,
polyethylene glycol) Ketones, Nitriles High polarity 60 – 240/250 °C
(0.52 um, 0.32mm I.D.X25 m long)

Inno-Wax
Alcohols, Free Acids, Aromatics,
(polyethylene glycol (PEG) High polarity -20 – 260 °C
Essential Oils, Solvents
(0.5 um, 0.32mm I.D.X30 m long)

HP-1 hydrocarbons, pesticides,

(Cross linked Methyl Siloxane) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and non polar -60 – 325/350 °
(0.88 um, 0.53mm I.D.X5 m long) sulfur compounds.

HP-5
Alkaloids, drugs, FAMEs, halogenated
(5%-Phenyl)-methylpolysiloxane)
compounds, aromatic compounds
non polar -60 – 325/350 °
(0.1 um, 0.1mm I.D.X10 m long)

DB-Wax
(Polyethylene glycol (PEG) Alcohols,glycols, aromatics polar 40-240 °C
(0.25 um, 0.32mm I.D.X30 m long)
GC Column Phase Selection Guide
Features of HP-1 Column
HP-5
 Phase
Molecular Sieve 5A
(80/100 mesh, 3mm I.D.X2 m long)
Porapak Q
(50/80 mesh, 3 mm I.D. X 3 m long)
Porapak R
(50/80 mesh, 3 mm I.D. X 3 m long)
Applications
a) The strong ionic forces of the divalent calcium ion makes it an
excellent
adsorbent to remove water, CO2, H2S from sour natural gas streams,
while mini missing COS formation. Light mercaptans are also adsorbed.
b) Separation of normal- and iso paraffin’s.
c) Production of high purity N2, O2, H2 and inert gases from mixed
gas streams
d) Static, (non-regenerative) dehydration of insulating glass units,
whether air filled or gas-filled.
atmospheric gases to organics.
analysis of gases, acids, amines, organics of low
carbon number and water
Inorganic gases
Inorganic gases
 Resources and references
• https://www.slideshare.net/shaisejacob/gas-chromatography-
ppt
• https://www.agilent.com/en/products/gas-chromatography/gc-
columns/capillary#0 .
• Robert L.Grob. “Modern Practice of Gas Chromatiograhy” 2nd
Edition . John Wilet& Sons, N.Y. Singapore, 1985.
• D.A.Skoog. “Principles of Instrumental Analysis” 3rd Edition,
Saunders College Publishing, 1985.