FAST GC WITH PID & FUV DETECTORS IN FIELD ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSES

Accepted Research for PITTCON 2011: http://www.pittcon.org

J.N. Driscoll PID Analyzers LLC and P. Smith of

Univiformed Services Univesity of the Health Sciences

4301 Jones Bridge Road

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

Abstract Number: 180 - 20P
Session 180 - New Developments in Analytical Instrumentation and Software
Day and Time: Sunday, March 13, 2011 FROM 5:30PM-7PM 
ROOM 412A GEORGIA WORLD CONGRESS CENTER

Field environmental labs are typically pressed to reduce cost, provide rapid sample turnaround and analyze large volumes of samples. One potential solution to this dilemma is to utilize fast GC columns in a portable GC like the PID Analyzers Model GC312. What is a FAST GC column? There are several types: First, a FAST GC column is shorter and has a smaller internal diameter than a standard GC column A second approach involves using a 25m x 0.32 mm ID, 0.25um film thickness that is resistively heated and can be programmed at a much higher rate than conventional ovens. It can also be cooled faster since it has a very small thermal mass. This is the approach that we have taken. One of us (PS) used a fast GC method with a portable GC-MS for analysis of irradiated mail.

Some Advantages of FAST GC include reduced run times, increased sample throughput, improved signal to noise ratio and less column bleed (thinner films).Some of the disadvantages of FAST GC are: conventional Van Deemter curves aren’t applicable (high pressure drop),easy to overload the phase (less sample capacity), difficult to use for conventional GC/ MS

Resistively heated 10M x 0,25mm PLOT (HSP) and 10 M x 0.25 mm id capillary column with a 0.25 u film of methyl silicone were evaluated. We are also evaluating a fast yet economical method of detection so we selected photoionization detector (PID) for VOC’s and far UV detector (FUV)for general purpose detection of volatiles. Both detectors have ppb detection capability making them suitable for environmental analyses.

Fast Gc With Pid & Fuv Pc 2011