ADV01-05_1-298

192 / 298

• 3 •
by Christopher English, Environmental Innovations Chemist, & Brad Rightnour, Instrument Innovations Manager
EZ No-Vent™ GC Column-
Mass Spectrometer Connector
Change Columns in Minutes, Without Venting
✔ Easy to install and maintain—no special tools or extra plumbing required.
✔ Gold plated for inertness.
✔ 100µm ID transfer line keeps analytes focused.
✔ Lower cost than other “no-vent” fittings.
We designed our new EZ No-Vent™ GC column-mass
spectrometer connector to be simple and easy to
use. After studying user feedback concerning our
EZ-Vent™ 2000 connector, we re-engineered the
connector fitting for even better performance.
A critical orifice in the EZ No-Vent™ connector min-
imizes the amount of oxygen allowed into the MS
source, eliminating the need for purge gas and
enabling you to skip the lengthy vent and pump-
down cycle otherwise required when you make a
column change. This can save nearly a day of
downtime with each column change. The EZ No-
Vent™ connector easily attaches to the MS source
without special tools or extra plumbing. Figure 1
shows the fitting installed and ready for use.
We tested the EZ No-Vent™ connector, using highly
volatile gaseous sample components that are very
susceptible to tailing in the presence of dead vol-
ume. We operated the system as a purge-and-trap
GC/MS system, initially with a split at the injection
port and the column inserted directly into the MS
interface. Next, we included the EZ No-Vent™ con-
nector at the MS interface. We anticipated that any
dead volume in this fitting would produce signifi-
cant tailing and broader peaks, relative to the direct
connection. Peak shape was excellent using the new
fitting.
Similarly, we used an application-specific test to
evaluate the ability of the MS to stabilize after we
changed columns without venting. Again we used a
purge-and-trap system, halogenated volatiles as the
sample, and an Rtx®-624 column to separate the
analytes. We acquired Figure 2a at 08:12 AM, then
changed the column. We acquired Figure 2b 76
minutes later, at 09:28 AM. Note the excellent peak
shapes and responses. In the interval between the
two analyses we verified MSD tuning, and the sys-
tem passed bromofluorobenzene (BFB) criteria.
Subsequent detailed investigations have established
that the EZ No-Vent™ connector will allow several
column changes in a single day, with no harm to
the MS or loss of data quality.
If you’re tired of waiting for your MS to stabilize, we
highly recommend you use an EZ No-Vent™ connec-
tor. It will reduce your MS downtime, saving you
money, and increase your sample throughput—
making you money.
Figure 1
MS transfer line installed in an EZ No-Vent™
connector. Connection can be made quickly,
without special tools.
Figure 2
Acquire a sample within two hours of changing columns, using an EZ No-Vent™ connector.
expanded view
Description qty. cat.# price
EZ No-Vent™ Connector Kit for Agilent 5971/5972 and 5973 GC/MS
(Kit includes: EZ No-Vent™ Connector, 0.4mm ID ferrules for connecting capillary
column, 0.4mm ID ferrules for connecting transfer line, 100µm deactivated transfer
line (3 ft.), and EZ No-Vent™ column plug and nut.) kit 21323
Replacement ferrules for connecting capillary column to EZ No-Vent™:
0.4mm ID 2-pk. 21015
0.5mm ID 2-pk. 21016
Replacement ferrules for connecting transfer line to
EZ-No Vent ™: 0.4mm ID 2-pk. 21043
Replacement deactivated transfer line: 100µm ID 3 ft. 21018
Replacement EZ No-Vent™ Column Nut 5-pk. 21900
Replacement EZ No-Vent™ Plug 2-pk. 21915
Open-end Wrenches ( 1/4" x 5/16") 2-pk. 20110
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 20 min. 13 14 15 19 18 17 16
5 6 4 3 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 min. 20
GC_EV00659c
GC_EV00659d
Restek
Innovation!
Rtx® -624 60m, 0.25mm ID, 1.4µm (cat# 10969)
Halogenated Volatiles @ 200 ppb in 5mL/RO water.
502.2 Calibration Mix#1 (gases) cat# 30042
502.2 Calibration Mix#2 cat# 30043
BTEX standard cat# 30213
2b—acquired at 9:28am
Ez-No Vent™, acquired 76 min. after installing new column
Inj.: purge & trap
GC: Agilent 6890
Inj. temp.: 300°C
Carrier gas: helium, constant flow
Flow rate: 1.0mL/min.
Oven temp.: 60°C (hold 15 min.) to
220°C @ 30°C/min.
(hold 1 min.)
Det: Agilent 5973 GC/MS
Transfer line temp.: 280°C
Scan range: 35-550 amu
Tune: BFB
Ionization: EI
for moreinfo
request lit. cat.# 59498.
2a—acquired at 8:12am
Did you know?
Restek offers supplies and inno-
vative tools for your MS. Refer to
the Instrument Supplies section
of the annual Chromatography
Products Guide (lit. cat.# 59473).