Automated two-dimensional interface for capillary gas chromatography
US5492555A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2030/025
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A multidimensional gas chromatograph (GC) system having wide bore capillary and narrow bore capillary GC columns in series and having a novel system interface. Heart cuts from a high flow rate sample, separated by a wide bore GC column, are collected and directed to a narrow bore GC column with carrier gas injected at a lower flow compatible with a mass spectrometer. A bimodal six-way valve is connected with the wide bore GC column outlet and a bimodal four-way valve is connected with the narrow bore GC column inlet. A trapping and retaining circuit with a cold trap is connected with the six-way valve and a transfer circuit interconnects the two valves. The six-way valve is manipulated between first and second mode positions to collect analyte, and the four-way valve is manipulated between third and fourth mode positions to allow carrier gas to sweep analyte from a deactivated cold trap, through the transfer circuit, and then to the narrow bore GC capillary column for separation and subsequent analysis by a mass spectrometer. Rotary valves have substantially the same bore width as their associated columns to minimize flow irregularities and resulting sample peak deterioration. The …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.