PerkinElmer CLARUS 590 GC User manual

CLARUS 590 GC
User’s Guide
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

ii . Clarus 590 GC User’s Guide
Release History
Part Number Release Publication Date
09931372 A August 2017
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Table of Contents
1Introduction ................................................................................................................ 11
About This Manual...........................................................................................................13
Conventions Used in this Manual .................................................................................13
About Notes, Cautions, and Warnings .....................................................................13
Screen Abbreviations .......................................................................................................16
Glossary of Clarus GC Terms ............................................................................................17
Autosampler Terms.....................................................................................................17
Instrument-Specific Terms ..........................................................................................17
Glossary of Chromatographic Terms ............................................................................19
2Touch Screen Navigation............................................................................................. 21
Chapter Overview............................................................................................................23
Touch Screen..................................................................................................................24
Tabs ..........................................................................................................................25
Non-Configured Devices..............................................................................................25
Non-installed Devices..................................................................................................26
Run Button.................................................................................................................26
Manual Injection....................................................................................................27
Signal Button..............................................................................................................28
Ignite Button.........................................................................................................28
AutoZero Button ....................................................................................................28
Signal Plot.............................................................................................................28
Signal Display and Scaling ......................................................................................29
Zero Display Button ...............................................................................................29
Heated Zones.............................................................................................................29
Injector and Detector Buttons.................................................................................30
Oven Button..........................................................................................................31
Aux Zone Buttons ..................................................................................................31
Navigation Bar ................................................................................................................32
Injectors .........................................................................................................................33
Program Buttons ........................................................................................................33
Display Text ...............................................................................................................33
PSSI ..........................................................................................................................34
Configuration Options ............................................................................................34
Temperature Program............................................................................................34
Isothermal Program ...............................................................................................36
Carrier Gas Program ..............................................................................................36
Split Flow ..............................................................................................................38
Capillary Control Off...............................................................................................38
Packed (Pkd)..............................................................................................................39
POC...........................................................................................................................42
Capillary (Cap).......................................................................................................42
Oven ..............................................................................................................................43
Aux Zone ........................................................................................................................44
Detectors........................................................................................................................45
FIDW.........................................................................................................................45
About Auto-Ignition ...............................................................................................45
Auto-Ignite Process................................................................................................46
Configuration Settings............................................................................................47
Manual Pneumatics ................................................................................................47
TCD...........................................................................................................................47
PPC.......................................................................................................................48

4 . Clarus 590 GC User’s Guide
Manual Pneumatics ................................................................................................48
ECD...........................................................................................................................49
PPC.......................................................................................................................50
Active Method .......................................................................................................50
Configuration Screen..............................................................................................50
Manual Pneumatics ................................................................................................50
PID............................................................................................................................51
PPC.......................................................................................................................51
Manual Pneumatics ................................................................................................51
NPD...........................................................................................................................52
PPC.......................................................................................................................52
Manual Pneumatics ................................................................................................52
FPD ...........................................................................................................................53
PPC.......................................................................................................................53
Manual Pneumatics ................................................................................................53
Timed Events ..................................................................................................................54
Events Tab.................................................................................................................54
Timed Events Table ....................................................................................................54
Add.......................................................................................................................55
Edit.......................................................................................................................55
Delete...................................................................................................................55
Clear.....................................................................................................................56
Aux Zones..................................................................................................................57
Heated Aux Zone ...................................................................................................57
Pneumatic Auxiliary Zones......................................................................................58
3Using the Active Method.............................................................................................. 59
Overview ........................................................................................................................61
Editing the Active Method ................................................................................................62
Getting Ready to Edit the Active Method...........................................................................63
Setting Up Oven and Inlet Temperature Programs.............................................................64
Configuring the Equilibration Time (Init) ......................................................................64
Setting a Coolant Timeout Value..................................................................................65
Setting a Coolant Cut-In Temperature..........................................................................65
Setting Up an Isothermal Program...............................................................................65
Setting Up a One-Ramp Temperature Program.............................................................66
Holding an Oven Temperature.....................................................................................67
Setting Injector Temperatures..........................................................................................69
Displaying Injector Temperature Screens .....................................................................69
Turning Injector Heaters On or Off ..............................................................................70
Changing Injector Temperatures .................................................................................70
Oven Temperature Programming Mode........................................................................71
Inlet Temperature Programming Mode.........................................................................71
Setting Up a One-Ramp Injector Program ....................................................................72
Viewing/Setting Carrier Gas Pressure/Flow/Velocity ...........................................................74
Carrier Gas Mass-Flow Controller Operation..................................................................74
Initial Carrier-Gas Setpoint .....................................................................................74
Carrier-Gas Program ..............................................................................................74
Carrier-Gas Timed Events.......................................................................................75
Leak Checking .......................................................................................................75
Setting PPC Carrier Gas Pressure in the PPC Version .....................................................75
Viewing or Adjusting Carrier Gas Pressure Using Manual Pneumatics .............................76
Setting PPC Carrier Gas Flow.......................................................................................77
Viewing/Adjusting Carrier Gas Flow Using Manual Pneumatics.......................................78
Viewing/Setting Carrier Gas Velocity in the PPC Version ................................................79

About This Manual . 5
Setting the Septum Purge Mode and Offset.......................................................................81
Setting Up Valves ............................................................................................................87
Setting the Split Mode Using PPC.................................................................................87
Setting the Split Mode Using Manual Pneumatics ..........................................................89
Set the Solenoid Valve for Split Operation ....................................................................89
Measure and Adjust the Split Vent Flow .......................................................................90
Set up the Splitless Mode for a CAP or PSS Injector...........................................................93
Setting the Splitless Mode Using PPC Modules ..............................................................93
Splitless Injection with Pressure Pulse (Flow Pulse, Velocity Pulse) Technique ...........93
Creating a Pressure, Flow, or Velocity Pulse Method.................................................93
Setting the Split Flow for Splitless Injection .............................................................96
Setting the Timed Events .......................................................................................97
Controlling the Autosampler .............................................................................................100
Autosampler Trays and Carousel .................................................................................100
Autosampler Touch Screen..........................................................................................101
Start Button ...............................................................................................................102
Stop Button................................................................................................................102
Autosampler Buttons ..................................................................................................104
Cleaning the 5-µL and 50-µL Syringe Plungers.........................................................106
Configuration Button..............................................................................................106
Auto Resume.........................................................................................................106
Running Viscous Samples .......................................................................................106
Using Solvent Pre-Washes......................................................................................107
Priority Button .......................................................................................................107
About Waste and Wash Vials.......................................................................................107
Multi-Program Mode ...................................................................................................107
Waste Vials ...........................................................................................................107
Wash vials.............................................................................................................108
About Sample Vials.....................................................................................................108
Using a TCD with the Autosampler ..............................................................................108
Available syringes .......................................................................................................108
4Setting Up the Detectors ............................................................................................. 109
Overview ........................................................................................................................111
FID Overview ..................................................................................................................113
Setting Up a PPC FID ..................................................................................................113
FID Setup Summary...............................................................................................113
Set the Air and Hydrogen Flows..............................................................................114
Automatically Ignite the Flame ...............................................................................116
Manually Ignite the Flame ......................................................................................117
If the Flame Goes Out During a Run .......................................................................119
Setting Up a Manual Pneumatics FID ...........................................................................120
FID Setup Summary...............................................................................................120
Connect a Flowmeter to the FID Collector ...............................................................120
Adjust the Hydrogen Flow ......................................................................................121
Adjust the Air Flow ................................................................................................124
Ignite the Flame ....................................................................................................124
If the Flame Goes Out During a Run .......................................................................125
Using the FID in Corrosive Environments .....................................................................126
ECD Overview .................................................................................................................127
Setting up an ECD ......................................................................................................128
United States Government Regulations for ECDs......................................................129
Special Instructions for ECD Cell Purchasers ............................................................129
Labels ...................................................................................................................129
Leak Testing..........................................................................................................129

6 . Clarus 590 GC User’s Guide
Cell Failure or Damage...........................................................................................129
Reporting Radiation Incidents, Theft or Loss ...........................................................130
Other Requirements...............................................................................................130
United Kingdom Regulations........................................................................................130
ECD Setup Summary..............................................................................................130
Vent the ECD Outlet...............................................................................................131
Adjust the Make-up Gas Flow .................................................................................132
Set the Make-Up Gas in the PPC Version .................................................................132
Adjust the Make-Up Gas in the Manual Pneumatics Version ......................................133
TCD Overview .................................................................................................................136
Setting Up a TCD........................................................................................................136
TCD Setup Summary..............................................................................................136
Turn on the Oven and Detector Heaters..................................................................136
Equalize the Makeup and Reference Gas Flows........................................................137
Set the Makeup and Reference Gas in the PPC Version ............................................138
Adjust the Make-Up Gas in the Manual Pneumatics Version ......................................139
Enter the TCD Bridge Current Range.......................................................................140
Balance the Bridge.................................................................................................141
Using a TCD with the Autosampler or GSV...............................................................142
PID Overview..................................................................................................................143
Setting Up a PID.........................................................................................................144
PID Setup Summary...............................................................................................144
Turn on the Oven and the Detector Heaters ............................................................144
Adjust the Make-up Gas .........................................................................................145
Set the Make-Up Gas in the PPC Version .................................................................146
Turn on the UV lamp..............................................................................................148
Optimize the Lamp Intensity...................................................................................149
NPD Overview.................................................................................................................150
Setting Up a PPC NPD.................................................................................................151
Set the Hydrogen Flow and Air Flow for PPC............................................................151
Setting Up a Manual Pneumatics NPD ..........................................................................153
NPD Setup Summary..............................................................................................154
Disconnect the Hydrogen and Air Lines at the NPD Bulkhead....................................154
Adjust the Hydrogen Flow ......................................................................................155
Adjust the Air Flow ................................................................................................156
Reconnect the Air and Hydrogen Lines....................................................................156
NPD Bead Activation Procedure ...................................................................................157
Packed Column Setup: ...........................................................................................157
Capillary Column Setup: .........................................................................................157
Preparing to Activate the NPD Bead ........................................................................157
Activating the NPD Bead .............................................................................................159
Reactivate a Used NPD Bead .......................................................................................161
Operating Notes ....................................................................................................161
FPD Overview .................................................................................................................162
Setting Up a PPC FPD .................................................................................................163
FPD Setup Summary ..............................................................................................163
Configure the Linearizer and Signal Filter ................................................................163
Set the FPD Temperature .......................................................................................166
Set the Hydrogen Flow and Air Flow for PPC............................................................167
Turn On the Photomultiplier Tube...........................................................................169
Ignite the Flame ....................................................................................................171
Setting Up a Manual Pneumatics FPD...........................................................................173
FPD Setup Summary ..............................................................................................173
Configure the Linearizer and Signal Filter ................................................................173

About This Manual . 7
Set the FPD Temperature .......................................................................................174
Attach a Flowmeter to the FPD ...............................................................................175
Adjust the Hydrogen Flow ......................................................................................175
Adjust the Air Flow ................................................................................................178
Turn On the Photomultiplier Tube...........................................................................179
Ignite the Flame ....................................................................................................180
Detector Temperatures....................................................................................................183
Range.............................................................................................................................184
Setting the PID or NPD Range.....................................................................................184
Changing the PID or NPD Range During a Run .............................................................184
Setting the TCD Current (Filament Current) ......................................................................186
Changing TCD Polarity During a Run.................................................................................188
Routing Detector Output..................................................................................................190
Rerouting Output........................................................................................................190
Attenuating Detector Signals Going to a Recorder .............................................................192
Optimizing a Detector Signal to an Integrator for Maximum Sample Dynamic Range ...........193
Matching Detector Signals with Your Integrator.................................................................194
Autozeroing a Detector ....................................................................................................196
5Using the Method Editor .............................................................................................. 197
Method Editor .................................................................................................................199
Method Edit Mode ...........................................................................................................200
Oven Settings .............................................................................................................201
Managing Methods ..........................................................................................................202
File Menu ...................................................................................................................202
New Method..........................................................................................................202
Open Method.........................................................................................................203
Save .....................................................................................................................203
Save As.................................................................................................................204
Activate.................................................................................................................206
Delete...................................................................................................................206
Exit Editor .............................................................................................................206
6Using the Tools Menu .................................................................................................. 207
Using the Tools Menu ......................................................................................................209
Method Editor.............................................................................................................209
Event Log...................................................................................................................209
Maintenance...............................................................................................................210
Configuration .............................................................................................................212
Injectors (Deconfiguring and Configuring Injectors) .................................................213
PSS - Programmed Split/Splitless Injector................................................................214
Packed Injector .....................................................................................................217
POC - Programmable On Column Injector................................................................217
Capillary – Split/Splitless Injector............................................................................218
GSV – Gas Valve....................................................................................................218
Oven ..............................................................................................................................219
Single Point Calibration ...............................................................................................219
Detectors........................................................................................................................220
FID .......................................................................................................................222
TCD ......................................................................................................................222
ECD ......................................................................................................................224
PID.......................................................................................................................224
NPD ......................................................................................................................224
FPD ......................................................................................................................224
Output Configured .................................................................................................225
External Configuration............................................................................................226

8 . Clarus 590 GC User’s Guide
Run/AutoSampler .......................................................................................................226
Setup.........................................................................................................................227
Language drop down menu....................................................................................228
Brightness field......................................................................................................228
Date/Time Set .......................................................................................................228
Startup..................................................................................................................229
Sleep ....................................................................................................................229
Pneumatics ................................................................................................................230
PPC Configure .......................................................................................................230
Connecting the PPC Modules............................................................................................231
PPC Connect ...................................................................................................................233
Define Detector Dialog................................................................................................237
Define Aux .................................................................................................................238
Reference Settings......................................................................................................239
Relays...................................................................................................................239
Zeroing and Calibrating the PPC Modules .....................................................................239
Zeroing the PPC Gas Modules......................................................................................239
Setting the Reference Temperature and Pressure .........................................................242
Calibrating the Carrier Gas Modules .............................................................................243
Calibrating the Detector Gas Modules ..........................................................................245
Calibrating the Flow Readout Using Manual Pneumatics.....................................................247
Calibrating the Oven Temperature....................................................................................251
Calibrate the Reference Thermometer..........................................................................251
Place the Thermometer Probe in the Oven ...................................................................251
Equilibrate the Oven Temperature ...............................................................................252
Enter the Required Offset Value ..................................................................................254
Remove the Thermometer Probe.................................................................................254
Utilities ...........................................................................................................................255
Column Flow Calculator...............................................................................................256
Column Flow Calc Main Screen ...............................................................................257
Length ..................................................................................................................257
Diameter...............................................................................................................257
Temp....................................................................................................................257
Carrier Gas Name ..................................................................................................257
Outlet Press...........................................................................................................257
Suggested Velocity.................................................................................................257
Inlet Press.............................................................................................................257
Flow Rate..............................................................................................................258
Velocity.................................................................................................................258
Split Flow Calculations Screen.................................................................................258
Column Length Calculator ...........................................................................................259
Stopwatch..................................................................................................................259
Program (Max Oven Program Rates).............................................................................260
Release… ...................................................................................................................260
Reset…… ...................................................................................................................261
Logout… ....................................................................................................................261
About ........................................................................................................................261
7Setting up a Typical Analysis....................................................................................... 263
Overview ........................................................................................................................265
System Status Screen ......................................................................................................266
Injectors .........................................................................................................................267
Packed Column (PKD) Injector .....................................................................................267
Programmed Split/Splitless (PSS) Injector ....................................................................268
Detector Settings.............................................................................................................270

About This Manual . 9
Flame Ionization Detector (FID) ...................................................................................270
TCD...........................................................................................................................273
Autosampler....................................................................................................................277
Index ................................................................................................................................... 279

10 . Clarus 590 GC User’s Guide

1
Introduction

12 . Clarus 590 GC User’s Guide

About This Manual . 13
About This Manual
This guide is divided into following chapters:
Chapter 1 Introduction
This chapter contains a brief introduction to the instrument, the conventions and warnings used in the
manual.
Chapter 2 Touch Screen Navigation
This chapter contains information that introduces you to the look and feel of the touch screen. It shows
you how to turn on the GC, check the status, and perform fundamental operations such as changing
parameters, selecting options, using the tools menus, etc.
Chapter 3 Active Method
This chapter contains step by step explanation of the active method. Detailed information on setting up
the autosampler is contained in this chapter.
Chapter 4 Setting Up the Detectors
This chapter contains detailed information on setting up the detectors.
Chapter 5 Using the Method Editor
This chapter describes how to modify, save and use the method editor.
Chapter 6 Using the Tools Menu
The chapter contains detailed information on the tools menu section of the touch screen.
Chapter 7 Setting Up a Typical Analysis
This chapter contains information on how to run a typical analysis on the Clarus GC using the most
common configuration.
Conventions Used in this Manual
Normal text is used to provide information and instructions.
Bold text refers to text that is displayed on the screen.
UPPERCASE text, for example ENTER or ALT, refers to keys on the PC keyboard. '+' is used to show that
you have to press two keys at the same time, for example, ALT+F.
All eight digit numbers are PerkinElmer part numbers unless stated otherwise.
About Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
Three terms, in the following standard formats, are also used to highlight special circumstances and
warnings.
NOTE:
A note indicates additional, significant information that is provided with some procedures.

14 . Clarus 590 GC User’s Guide
CAUTION
We use the term CAUTION to inform you about situations that
could result in
serious damage to the instrument
or other
equipment. Details about these circumstances are in a box like
this one.
D
Caution (Achtung)
Bedeutet, daß die genannte Anleitung genau befolgt werden
muß, um einen
Geräteschaden
zu vermeiden.
DK Caution (Bemærk)
Dette betyder, at den nævnte vejledning skal overholdes nøje
for at undgå en
beskadigelse af apparatet
.
ECaution (Advertencia)
Utilizamos el término
CAUTION
(ADVERTENCIA) para advertir
sobre situaciones que pueden provocar
averías graves en este
equipo
o en otros. En recuadros éste se proporciona información
sobre este tipo de circunstancias.
FCaution (Attention)
Nous utilisons le terme
CAUTION
(ATTENTION) pour signaler les
situations susceptibles de provoquer de
graves détériorations de
l'instrument
ou d'autre matériel. Les détails sur ces circonstances
figurent dans un encadré semblable à celui-ci.
ICaution (Attenzione)
Con il termine
CAUTION
(ATTENZIONE) vengono segnalate
situazioni che potrebbero arrecare
gravi danni allo strumento
o ad
altra apparecchiatura. Troverete informazioni su tali circostanze
in un riquadro come questo.
NL Caution (Opgelet)
Betekent dat de genoemde handleiding nauwkeurig moet
worden opgevolgd, om
beschadiging van het instrument
te
voorkomen.
PCaution (Atenção)
Significa que a instrução referida tem de ser respeitada para
evitar a
danificação do aparelho
.

About This Manual . 15
WARNING
We use the term WARNING to inform you about situations
that could result in
personal injury
to yourself or other persons.
Details about these circumstances are in a box like this one.
DWarning (Warnung)
Bedeutet, daß es bei Nichtbeachten der genannten Anweisung
zu einer
Verletzung
des Benutzers kommen kann.
DK
Warning (Advarsel)
Betyder, at brugeren kan blive
kvæstet
, hvis anvisningen ikke
overholdes.
E
Warning (Peligro)
Utilizamos el término
WARNING
(PELIGRO) para informarle
sobre situaciones que pueden provocar
daños personales
a
usted o a otras personas. En los recuadros como éste se
proporciona información sobre este tipo de circunstancias.
F
Warning (Danger)
Nous utilisons la formule
WARNING
(DANGER) pour avertir des
situations pouvant occasionner des
dommages corporels
à
l'utilisateur ou à d'autres personnes. Les détails sur ces
circonstances sont données dans un encadré semblable à
celui-ci.
I
Warning (Pericolo)
Con il termine
WARNING
(PERICOLO) vengono segnalate
situazioni che potrebbero provocare
incidenti alle persone
.
Troverete informazioni su tali circostanze in un riquadro come
questo.
NL
Warning (Waarschuwing)
Betekent dat, wanneer de genoemde aanwijzing niet in acht
wordt genomen, dit kan leiden tot
verwondingen
van de
gebruiker.
P
Warning (Aviso)
Significa que a não observância da instrução referida poderá
causar um
ferimento ao usuário.

16 . Clarus 590 GC User’s Guide
Screen Abbreviations
AUX – Auxiliary zone
Cap – capillary split/splitless injector
Cmptr – computer
Ctrl – syringe control parameters
ECD – Electron Capture Detector
FID – Flame Ionization Detector
FIDW – Wide Range Flame Ionization Detector
FPD – Flame Photometric Detector
Gen – generate
Inj/Vial – injections per vial
Int – integrator
kPa – kilopascals
NPD – Nitrogen Phosphorus Detector
PID – Photoionization Detector
Pkd – packed injector
POC – Programmed On-Column Capillary Injector
PPC – programmed pneumatic control
Pre – # of pre-injection syringe washes
Psi or psig – pounds per square inch (gauge)
PSS – Programmed Split/Splitless Capillary Injector
TCD – Thermal Conductivity Detector

Glossary of Clarus GC Terms . 17
Glossary of Clarus GC Terms
The glossary of Clarus GC terms are divided into two types:
•Autosampler Terms
•Instrument-Specific Terms
Autosampler Terms
Term Description
Washes Washing the syringe.
Pre The number of prewashes of sample to prime the
syringe (no pumping).
Post The number of post injection syringe washes with a
solvent.
Pumps The number of times the syringe draws up sample and
evacuates it before acquiring the volume. This is done
to eliminate bubbles.
Mode The style of injection.
Fast Fast speed of the syringe during sample injection. This
is used to eliminate discrimination in the needle.
Normal Normal speed of the syringe during sample injection.
Slow Slow speed of the syringe during sample injection in
order to inject directly into a wide-bore capillary column,
in hot injection port.
Instrument-Specific Terms
Term Description
Background
compensation
A routine that automatically subtracts a stored
calibrated baseline profile from the signal generated
during a GC run.
Ballistically Changing the oven temperature as quickly as possible
to reach a set point.
Detector
background The detector output signal when no components are being eluted.

18 . Clarus 590 GC User’s Guide
Term Description
Equilibration The delay time after the method set points have been
reached before the system becomes READY.
Flameout PPC version only. Detects if the flame is on to prevent
injection into a nonfunctioning system and subsequent
loss of sample.
Isothermal
method A method in which the oven temperature remains constant throughout a GC run.
Method A collection of parameters that control the GC.
Negative-time
event A timed event that you set to occur before the instrument becomes READY.
Parameter An independent variable used to specify a condition to
be met.
PPCProgrammable Pneumatic Control
Pre-run The time after equilibration during which negative-time
events are executed.
PreVentPPC version only. Sample management system.
Range Range means amplification of the detector output
signal.
Ready Indicates that all method parameters have reached their
set points and that you can start your analysis.
Run The time from sample injection to the end of the oven
temperature program.
Sleep mode The GC can be set to a predefined method for gas
savings.
Temperature
program
PPC version only. A program that specifies the rate of
oven temperature increase from one plateau to the
next, and the time the oven temperature is held
constant at a plateau.
Timed Events Events that take place before or during a GC run as
specified in a timed events table.
Zone A heated area in the GC oven, injector, or detector.

Glossary of Clarus GC Terms . 19
Glossary of Chromatographic Terms*
Adsorption
– A process that occurs at the surface of a liquid or solid as a result of the attractive forces
between the adsorbent and the solute. These forces may be physical or weakly chemical.
Analysis
– The complete investigation of a sample by gas chromatographic separation including
identification of the sample components and quantitative measurements.
Anode
– The negatively charged electrode in any electrical circuit to which charged particles and ions are
attracted.
Band Broadening
– A process that occurs in the GC whereby the peak width for a component increases
the longer the component travels through the column.
Baseline
– The detector signal to a recorder or integrator when only the carrier gas is passing through
the detector.
Baseline drift
– Any regular change occurring in the baseline signal from the detector, usually resulting
from column temperature and/or gas flow changes.
Blank run
– A run without the sample being injected.
Bleed
– The evaporation of the stationary phase from a column.
Capillary column
(wall coated open tubular column) – A small-internal-diameter column whose inside
wall is coated with a liquid phase.
Carrier gas
– The mobile phase of the separation system. An inert gas which transports the sample
from the injector through the column to the detector. This gas is usually helium, hydrogen, or nitrogen.
Column conditioning
– A process for producing a stable column by heating the column with carrier gas
flowing to remove volatile impurities from the stationary phase.
Detectors
– Hardware that responds to sample components producing an electrical signal that can be
measured to quantitate the amount of each component present.
Flow programming
– The stored PPC program is interpreted as real column mass flow settings or
capillary column flow settings from which the inlet pressure is calculated. This is dependent on the
capillary control mode and installed pressure or split control option.
Flow rate
– The mass flow of carrier gas or detector gas in milliliters per minute.
Ghost peaks
– Peaks that are not due to sample components, for example, peaks produced by carrier
gas impurities, septum, or components from previous analyses..
Injection port
– The hardware through which the sample is introduced to the column by injection.
Linearity
– Quantitatively all detectors will produce a linear response with respect to solute
concentration over a defined range, for example, the Linear Range.
Liquid phase
– The material in the column that causes the components to separate because of
partitioning of the components between the mobile phase (carrier gas) and the stationary phase (liquid
phase).
Lowest limit of detection
– The smallest amount of sample that can be detected by the detector being
used. Usually defined as any signal that is as great as two times the noise level. Also referred to as
Minimal Detectable Quantity (MDQ).
*Reference: Denney, R.C.
A Dictionary of Chromatography .

20 . Clarus 590 GC User’s Guide
Mobile phase
– The gas which carries the solute (sample) along and over the column material. This
carrier gas is inert and usually helium, nitrogen, or hydrogen.
Noise
– Background signal fluctuations arising from a detector response. This response is the result of
the column installed, carrier gas purity, electronic components, etc. The response of any detector is
defined by the signal-to-noise ratio.
Partition Coefficient
– The differential solubility of a substance in two different phases. In the case of
gas–liquid chromatography, the sample components reach an equilibrium between the gas phase
(mobile) and the liquid phase (stationary). Each component has a different partition coefficient thus
causing separation in the column.
Pressure programming
– Pressure control through an independent four-step, three-ramp program for
each carrier gas channel.
Resolution
– The degree of separation between two peaks.
Retention time
– The time interval from the point of injection to the appearance of the peak maximum,
of a component’s signal.
Septum
– Silicone rubber material placed in the injection port through which the injection is made.
When the needle is withdrawn, the silicone rubber reseals, thus not allowing any sample or carrier gas to
escape.
Stationary phase
– The liquid or solid adsorbent portion of the column that retains components passing
through the GC column.
Subambient
– Below ambient temperature. The oven cools down below ambient temperature with the
use of either liquid nitrogen or liquid carbon dioxide.
Syringes
– Precision dispensing devices used to deliver sample to the GC. Liquid and gas syringes are
available.
Tailing
– When a peak is not symmetrical or Gaussian shaped but the back end is broadened, it is said
to be tailing.
Temperature programming
– A technique commonly used to increase the rate of elution of the
components. After the sample is injected into the oven at a specific temperature, the temperature
program increases the oven temperature to the prescribed temperature at a defined rate (in °C/min).
Unretained peak
– A component that is not retained by the column. The time taken for an unretained
sample to pass through the column is the same time as the time taken for the carrier gas to pass
through.
Velocity programming
– Programmed linear velocity where the PPC controller interprets stored PPC
programs as the average capillary column linear velocity settings.