Experimental Studies in Temperature Programmed Gas Chromatography

Abstract

Temperature programmed gas chromatography (TPGC) is commonly used for the analysis of complex samples with a wide range of boiling points. It is estimated that 80% of GC users implement TPGC on a regular basis. In 1962, John Calvin Giddings was the first to publish a simple model for TPGC. His theories concerning TPGC are still accepted as the benchmark for explaining the underlying theory.

The purpose of this research was to investigate, as speculated by Giddings, if temperature programming rate (b) is the dominant contribution in determining fundamental chromatographic values, such as retention time, retention temperature and resolution. Comparison of these effects was made by studying column length and linear velocity in conjunction with temperature programming rates. Experimental determinations using a combination of three different column lengths, five linear velocities and three ramping rates on a three-component sample were investigated. A late eluting peak, C14, was evaluated by statistical analysis to determine the dominant contribution on retention time, retention temperature and resolution.

Results from statistically analysis show that temperature programming rate (b), column length and linear velocity all have contributions on retention time, retention temperature and resolution, however b dominates at high programming rates.