This application brief introduces a hardware solution available on the 7890A for the practice of comprehensive GC. The system uses a capillary flow modulator controlled by the 7890A GC. The system is offered with factory checkout using an FID detector. Other detectors, preferably those operating at 50 Hz or greater, can be used.
This document introduces a hardware solution for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) using the Agilent 7890A GC. The system utilizes a proprietary Capillary Flow Technology modulator controlled by the instrument's Electronic Pneumatics Control (EPC) to separate complex mixtures found in hydrocarbon processing, environmental, and food/fragrance industries without the need for cryogenic gases.
The system employs a differential flow modulator that collects effluent from a primary column and injects it into a secondary column in discrete pulses. This technique increases peak capacity and resolution compared to conventional one-dimensional separation. The document details the system requirements, including the need for specific firmware versions, fast detectors (such as a 200 Hz FID), and compatible software like ChemStation and GC Image.
| Required Firmware Version | 4.04.06 or higher |
|---|---|
| Recommended Detector Data Rate | 200 Hz |
| System Price Estimate | $60K |
No, the system uses Agilent's proprietary Capillary Flow Technology to conduct comprehensive 2D-GC without the use of cryogenic gases.
The document recommends GC Image software, which can be purchased from Zoex Corporation, for processing ChemStation data.
The key to operation is the flow differential (typically 20 to 1) between the second and first columns, which compresses and focuses analytes into the second column.