Using aGCRacer, the oven temperature program for anAgilent
5890 chromatograph can be tripled, from 20°C/min. to 60°C/min.
With all other chromatographic parameters the same, analysis time
will be reduced significantly. Figure 2 shows chromatograms of a
mixture ofAroclor
®
standards analyzed at both programming rates.
Time savings that accrue from the five-minute shorter analysis are
significant. Using a commonGC cool-down time of twominutes,
total cycle times at the two programming rates are 14minutes and
9minutes. In an 8-hour period 34 cycles can bemade at a 14-
minute cycle time, versus 53 cycleswith theGCRacer—
a 56%
increase in sample throughput!
Typical chromatographic patterns for the seven commonAroclor
®
mixtures analyzed under fast temperature programming are shown
in Figure 3.
Conclusion
The Zip ScientificGCRacer system is a highly effective, easily
installed tool that enhances the performance of a gas chromato-
graph. By decreasing run time and increasing sample throughput,
the higher analysis speeds that can be achieved can lead to signifi-
cant long-term savings of time andmoney. PCB analyses are shown
here, but this example application is a goodmodel for analyses of
long-chain hydrocarbons, highmolecular weight compounds, low-
volatilitymolecules, and other late eluting analytes that require
long analysis times at slow temperature program rates.
Restek Corporation • (800) 356-1688 • (814) 353-1300 •
Figure 3—Typical chromatographic patterns for Aroclor
®
PCBs analyzed under fast temperature programming.
Aroclor
®
1016
Sample:
400ng/mL
Aroclor
®
1016 standard
(cat.# 32006) in hexane
GC_EV00617
Aroclor
®
1221
Sample:
400ng/mL
Aroclor
®
1221 standard
(cat.# 32007) in hexane
GC_EV00618
Aroclor
®
1232
Sample:
400ng/mL
Aroclor
®
1232 standard
(cat.# 32008) in hexane
GC_EV00619
Aroclor
®
1242
Sample:
400ng/mL
Aroclor
®
1242 standard
(cat.# 32009) in hexane
GC_EV00620
Aroclor
®
1248
Sample:
400ng/mL
Aroclor
®
1248 standard
(cat.# 32010) in hexane
GC_EV00621
Aroclor
®
1254
Sample:
400ng/mL
Aroclor
®
1254 standard
(cat.# 32011) in hexane
GC_EV00622
Aroclor
®
1260
Sample:
400ng/mL
Aroclor
®
1260 standard
(cat.# 32012) in hexane
GC_EV00623
Rtx
®
-CLPesticides2 30m, 0.32mm ID, 0.25µm (cat.# 11324)
Inj.:
1.0µL direct, Uniliner
®
inlet liner (cat.# 20335)
Inj. temp.:
210°C
Carrier gas:
helium, constant pressure
Linear velocity: 46cm/sec.@ 120°C
Oven temp.:
120°C (hold 0.5min.) to 300°C@ 60°C/min. (hold 6.5min.)
Det.:
ECD@ 310°C
GuardColumn:
Siltek
™
-Deactivated 5m, 0.32 ID (cat.# 10027)
Connector:
UniversalAngled Press-Tight
®
(cat.# 20446)
Zip ScientificGCRacer forAgilent 5890 Series II (cat.# 23024)
