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Functional Description
Gas Chromatograph
Thermo Scientific
TSQ Quantum XLS and TSQ Quantum GC User Guide
19
Gas Chromatograph
The Thermo Scientific TRACE GC Ultra gas chromatograph (GC)) separates a sample
mixture into its chemical components by gas chromatography. In gas chromatography, the
sample mixture is partitioned between a solid stationary phase and a mobile gas. The
stationary phase is adhered to the inside of a small-diameter glass tube: the capillary column.
The molecular structure of each component of the mixture determines in which order each
component elutes from the GC and enters the mass spectrometer. The TRACE GC Ultra gas
chromatograph is shown in
.
Gas chromatography is widely used in analytical chemistry, though the high temperatures
used in GC make it unsuitable for high molecular weight biopolymers, frequently
encountered in biochemistry. It is well suited for use in the petrochemical, environmental
monitoring, and industrial chemical fields. It is also used extensively in chemistry research.
You configure the TRACE GC Ultra gas chromatograph from the data system computer.
Select the TRACE GC Ultra instrument button in the Instrument Configuration window,
which is available by choosing
Start > All Programs > Xcalibur > Instrument
Configuration
. Refer to Xcalibur Help for a description of TRACE GC Ultra configuration
options.
The TSQ Quantum XLS and TSQ Quantum GC data system computers can directly control
the TRACE GC Ultra. Choose
Start > Programs > Xcalibur > Xcalibur
and click
Instrument Setup
to open the Instrument Setup window. Click the
TRACE GC Ultra
icon
to open the TRACE GC Ultra page. Refer to the Help for instructions for operating the
TRACE GC Ultra.
Front-panel (keypad) operation of the GC and maintenance procedures for the GC are
described in the documentation provided with the GC. To replace the GC capillary column,
see
“Removing and Installing a GC Capillary Column”
Direct Sample Probes
With the (optional) direct sample probes you can introduce compounds directly into the ion
source without GC column separation. See
. The direct sample probes are ideal for
qualitative or semi-quantitative analysis of materials that don't require a GC column
separation, or are difficult, if not impossible, to elute chromatographically, such as solids. The
direct sample probes introduce samples directly into the ion source via a vacuum interlock. A
single controller box (
) with interchangeable probe tools makes it easy to select the
best method of sample introduction.
The direct sample probe system includes two probe tools:
• Direct exposure probe
• Direct insertion probe