CHROMtalks - GC Sample Introduction - The Achilles Heel of GC

The type of inlet to use for your gas chromatography (GC) analysis is a complex decision. The injection is the transition point in the analysis from the injector to the column, and unfortunately, no injection technique meets all required demands. Reproducibility, the absence of discrimination based on boiling point, polarity, or thermal stability, as well as an intact sample composition/concentration during injection, are all stiff requirements. Add in avoiding column overload and no additional band broadening effects, and the demands on the inlet are many. How to make the best choice of inlet technique from cool on-column, purged packed column, programmable temperature vaporizers, multimode and split/splitless will be explained. Operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of GC inlets will also be included.