VERSATILE ALL-GLASS SPLITLESS SAMPLE-INTRODUCTION SYSTEM FOR TRACE ANALYSIS BY CAPILLARY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY

A simple, versatile all-glass sample introduction system is proposed which can be easily coupled to the sample inlet part of commercially available gas chromatographic instruments without substantial modifications. The system allows the analysis of trace amounts of organic substances in large gaseous samples with narrow-bore open-tubular columns. The components are concentrated in a cooled capillary trap coated with OV-101 stationary phase and thermally vaporized in the presence of a negative temperature gradient across the trap in the direction of the carrier gas flow. A simple modification of the system is described for the introduction of concentrates released thermally from adsorbent-packed traps. The influence of various factors on trapping and separation efficiency, qualitative and quantitative reliability, possible applications and limitations are discussed. © 1979.