INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITIONS

Chromatography is a physical
means of separating a sample
into its individual components.
The basic for this separation is the
distribution of the sample
between two phases; a stationary
phase and a mobile gas phase.
GAS LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY
CLASSIFICATION OF CHROMATOGRAPHIC
METHODS
Classification depends on stationary phase and
mobile phase, Categories into
Mobile phase Stationary phase

GLC gas liquid

GSC gas liquid
LLC liquid liquid
LSC liquid solid
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

Gas chromatography can be used to analyze

gases, liquids, and solids. It only requires
that the sample be sufficiently volatile to be
carried through the column. The wide range
of selective liquid phases makes gas liquid
chromatography the most versatile and
selective from of gas chromatography.
Partitioning is the basis for separation in gas
liquid chromatography. Sample components
will partition because of their different
solubilities in the liquid phase.
DEFINITIONS
tR, The retention time, is the time from the
point of injection to the peak maximum. The
same peak on the same column under the
same conditions will always have the same
retention time.
tM, The time of the mobile phase or void
volume time, is the time from injection to an
inert peak like air. It is a measure of the time
each component spends in the gas phase.
t'R, The adjusted retention time, is the time
which a component in the liquid phase.
THE MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF GLC

Speed The time for a complete analysis is usually

minutes and in some cases, even seconds.

Resolution Complex samples can be easily

resolved into individual components. The
chromatographic columns themselves are very
efficient. In addition, the selectivity of the liquid
phases adds another.
 Sensitivity Very small samples can be used
and trace quantities, 10-9 nanograms, can
be measured. With special detectors even
picograms, 10-12 pg, can be detected.

Variety The technique can be applied to a

wide variety of compounds for both qualitative
and quantitative information. Gases, liquids
and solids can be easily handled if they are
volatile.
INSTRUMENTATION

The Carrier gas, usually N2 or He, is stored

in a large cylinder under high pressure. The
carrier gas flows continuously through the
injection port, through the column, and
through the detector.

The sample is introduced through the

injection port, vaporized, and carried rapidly
onto the column by the carrier gas steam.
 The column is a long tube packed with a
solid support coated the liquid phase. The
sample is separated into its individual
components in the column.

The detector responds to each component

by generating an electrical signal which is
fed to a recorder.

Therecorder produces a chromatogram

which is a written record of analysis.
BASIC GAS CHROMATOGRAPH

Carrier Gas Injection Port Column

Recorder Detector
INJECTOR

The injection port is heated to rapidly

vaporize the sample. For most liquid
and solid samples, the temperature
should be twenty to thirty degrees
hotter than the boiling point of the last
volatile component of the sample. For
gas samples, the injection port need
not be heated.
COLUMN

The column is heated to establish the proper

equilibrium between the gas and mobile
phases. The samples should be run at 50 C
to 100 C below their boiling point.
High temperatures decrease the solubility in
the liquid phase and shorten retention times.
This usually results in less separation.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT
DETECTORS
Detector characteristics
The sensitivity of a detector is measured by
the amount of signal generated for a given
sample concentration.
Noise refers to random, short-term detector
response determined by electrical
properties, temperature, or flow sensitivity.
Noise determines how small a sample can
be detected. A sample large enough to
generate a signal two times the noise level is
called the minimum detectable quantity.
DETECTOR RESPONSE

It is important that the detector response

increases linearly over a wide range of
sample concentrations. The linear range
of a detector can be calculated from a
calibration curve. Detector responses are
measured for known sample
concentrations. The responses are then
plotted versus concentration on a log plot.
There are two of detector response

A detector which generates a response for all

sample components gives universal
response (thermal conductivity detector ).

|Detector is a selective detector. For

example, the flame ionization detector
responds only to organic compounds (FID).