GC-MS/FID/ECD/TCD

Organic Compound Analysis

Most of the organic analyses that we conduct are for organic priority pollutants such as pesticides, PCBs, PHCs, BTEX, and other petroleum products. Gas Chromatography (GC) is the standard methodology. From sample matrices such as soil, water, plants and fish, the analyte's are extracted into organic solvents, separated from interfering substances (cleaned up), concentrated and run on the GCs.


Agilent GC


Using a variety of different detectors, excellent sensitivity and specificity can be achieved for a whole spectrum of compounds. The use of automated sample carousels means that the GCs can be left unattended for overnight operation.

Autosampler

Automated sample analysis on Agilent GC

 


Sample Preparation For GC Analysis

There are many 'method specific' procedures we use to prepare our organic samples for GC analysis. Two of our primary solvent extraction methods utilize accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) or soxhlet extraction techniques.

ASE Extraction.jpg

Dionex ASE200 Solvent Extractor

Soxhlet Extraction

This glass apparatus was invented in 1879 and is still in use today. It uses the principle of 'continuous extraction' to repeatedly cycle solvent through a 'thimble' containing a material to be extracted.

Soxhlett Extractionjpg

Plant sample extraction by soxhlet

 

Detectors

The Electron Capture Detector (ECD)

An ECD Detector

From Agilent eInspirations newsletter 2010

 

The Flame Ionisation Detector (FID)

FID Detector

 

The Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD)

Thermal Conductivity Detector

 


 

Typical PCB Chromatogram

PCB Chromatogram.JPG

Reproduced from ""
Yingxu Chen* a, Xianjin Tanga, Sardar Alam Cheemaa, Wenli Liub and Chaofeng Shena