Troubleshooting

Flame Ionization Detector (FID) Problems

This quick guide considers the most common problems encountered with an FID. In order to recognize the problems the associated chromatographic symptoms will be detailed. Procedures for remedying the problems and preventative maintenance to avoid these issues will also be discussed.

Chromatography Troubleshooting Tips

Our top tips to help you troubleshoot any chromatography problem.

5 Simple Pictures Which Reveal Problems With Your GC Analysis – And How to Fix Them!

In this short series of articles, we present simple GC pictures which show you how to recognize the issues, deal with the causes, and prevent them from happening again.

GC Troubleshooting Guide to Peak Area Reproducibility and Reduction of Sensitivity

This complex problem (peak areas are highly irreproducible for the higher boiling, later eluting analytes which also show a decrease in sensitivity) is solved in three simple steps using the CHROMacademy GC Troubleshooter.  

My GC Detector Flame Won’t Light

Tips and tricks to ensure your flame ionization detector (FID) flame lights every time.

GC Troubleshooting Guide to Broad, Double/Split, Fronting Peaks

The problem of broad, double/split, and fronting peaks is resolved using the CHROMacademy GC Troubleshooter.

5 More Pictures Which Reveal Problems With Your GC Analysis – And How to Fix Them!

In this short series of two articles, we present 10 simple GC pictures which show you how to recognize the issues, deal with the causes, and prevent them from happening again. Here we present another five pictures.

Effective GC Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting is an essential skill for all GC users. By looking at the top 5 problems submitted to the CHROMacademy troubleshooter we will provide you with the fundamentals of troubleshooting which can be applied to any problem you encounter.

GC Troubleshooting Masterclass

Using real world chromatograms submitted by CHROMacademy members from many different application areas, we illustrate how to recognize problems and explain further tests and investigations necessary to properly qualify the issue. We then offer advice on how the problem may be resolved to help you gain valuable insight into recognizing, characterizing, and fixing problems in GC to improve your data quality and reduce instrument downtime.

Troubleshooting GC Separations Part I - Retention Time, Efficiency, and Peak Shape Issues

This webcast presents practical troubleshooting tips for GC separations, with special emphasis on retention time variability, loss of efficiency, and poor peak shape. The session includes a wealth of practical information on GC separation issues and all our real world problems are related to both separation chemistry and hardware issues.

Troubleshooting GC Separation Part II – Selectivity, Resolution, and Baseline Issues

This webcast presents practical troubleshooting tips for GC separations, with special emphasis on selectivity changes, loss of resolution, and baseline problems. We consider the common problems and highlight causes and remedial actions in a very practically relevant way.

GC Troubleshooting - Column and Detector Problems

The session includes a wealth of practical information on avoiding issues when preparing, installing, and conditioning capillary GC columns. We also consider causes of capillary column aging and how to ensure your column remains fit for purpose for as long as possible! Also included are a quick revision on common GC Detectors (FID, TCD, ECD, NPD) as well as practical tips for avoiding problems and optimizing detector response.

GC Troubleshooting in 20 Pictures - Part 2

The art of GC troubleshooting often lies in being able to recognize a problem from the evidence presented in the chromatogram or baseline appearance. Real life chromatograms and baselines will be used to illustrate key issues with gas chromatography. Of course we will also let you know how to fix these problems or better still, avoid them in the first place.

GC Troubleshooting in 20 Pictures - Part I

 In this short series of two webcasts, we present 20 real life GC chromatograms and show you how to recognize the issues, deal with the causes and preventing them from happening again!

GC Troubleshooting - Gas Supply and Inlet Issues

This webcast considers good practice for gas supply and delivery, electronic pressure control issues, and gas quality management. We also investigate common problems and mistakes in choosing sample solvents and issues with autosamplers and syringes. We consider the most common instrument problems and mistakes associated with split/splitless inlets and examine essential maintenance to help avoid the pitfalls.

GC Troubleshooter

We developed the CHROMacademy GC troubleshooter with busy chromatographers in mind. In 3 simple steps we can help you overcome your instrument, separation, and quantitation issues.

GC Troubleshooting Video Guide to Irreproducible Retention Times

A quick troubleshooting video guide to which instrument and method parameters can cause short or long term irreproducibility, how to fix the problem, and avoid it occurring in the future.

Practical GC Troubleshooting Video - Peak Area Reproducibility

Learn how to solve the problem of irreproducible peak areas, and how to avoid this issue in the future, with this troubleshooting video.

GC Troubleshooting Video Guide to Split, Broad, and Fronting Peaks

This video guide looks at solving the problem of split, broad, and fronting peaks in a real chromatogram using the CHROMacademy GC Troubleshooter.

Practical GC Troubleshooting Video - Peak Splitting

In this video, we solve a problem with one split peak, in the middle of a GC chromatogram submitted to our Ask the Expert service by a CHROMacademy member. This video shows how to identify peak shape problems which occur in the middle of the elution range - often the most difficult problems to solve.

Practical GC Troubleshooting Video - Peak Tailing

This video shows how to use the interactive GC Troubleshooter to identify potential causes for peak tailing. We then discusses each of the potential causes, how they might affect our chromatography, and what to do to avoid them happening again.

GC Troubleshooting Guide to Broad Peaks and Loss of MS Sensitivity

The problem of broad peaks and loss of MS sensitivity is solved using the CHROMacademy GC Troubleshooter in 3 simple steps.

10 Common GC Mistakes

Get the most out of your GC instrument every time by avoiding these ten common mistakes.

Practical GC Troubleshooting - Reduced Sensitivity

This short video will provide you with practical advice to fix and avoid problems associated with reduced sensitivity.

CHROMtalks - Hidden Errors and Mistakes that Make Your GC Results Look Better than They Really Are

This webcast will examine instrument sensitivity and detection limits, use some thinking about experimental uncertainty to examine quantitative analysis and retention times, and then think about hidden uncertainties arising from sample handling.

CHROMtalks - GC Troubleshooting in Five Simple Pictures

The art of GC troubleshooting often lies in being able to recognize a problem from the evidence presented in the chromatogram or baseline appearance. We will start by providing a simple troubleshooting strategy that can be applied to any problem. Then we will examine five simple pictures related to some of the most common troubleshooting problems, discuss what they reveal, how to solve the issues, and how to stop them from happening again!