Facilities- Chromatography

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
Identification and/or quantification of components in organic solution or by headspace analysis

We have three single quadrupole GC/MS systems available. Our Perkin Elmer Clarus 560S GC/MS and flagship Perkin Elmer Clarus 600C GC/MS allow both liquid and headspace analysis. The Clarus 600C has the ability to perform ‘soft’ chemical ionisation (CI) studies and can swap between two analytical columns instantly using a Swafer valve. Recent applications have included identification of species in oils produced during the thermal treatment of waste and the measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particulate matter emitted by an internal combustion engine. A ThermoQuest Trace GC 2000 connected to a Fisons MD800 mass detector may be connected to a Pyroprobe 5200 for Py/GC/MS studies. We aim to expand our analytical capabilities further by adding a gas injector and PLOT column to this system during 2011, which will allow gas analysis by GC/MS. 

Gas Chromatography/Flame Ionisation Detection (GC/FID)
High-temperature analysis of liquid fuels

A Perkin Elmer Clarus 500 GC fitted with a flame ionisation detector, on-column injector, high-temperature column and auto-sampler has been purchased for liquid fuel analyses such as simulated distillation or biodiesel characterisation.

Pyrolysis/Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py/GC/MS)
In-situ thermal sample decomposition, followed by analysis of the evolved products

A CDS Pyroprobe 5200 can be linked to our ThermoQuest GC/MS.

Ion chromatography (IC)
Analysis of ionic species in aqueous solution

Halides, nitrite and nitrate and sulphate ions may be measured to sub-ppm levels on one of our Dionex DX100 ion chromatographs. The other DX100 is currently used for routine analysis of ammonium, alkali metal and alkali earth metals. Recent applications have included the measurement of halogens in pyrolysis oils and to determine the sulphur content of fuels following bomb calorimetry. It is possible to analyse for other ionic species using different IC columns and eluents- please contact us.

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC)
Molecular weight analysis of oils and polymers

A new Perkin Elmer Series 200 liquid chromatography system is available for SEC analysis. The system is currently calibrated with polystyrene standards.