Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Hewlett-Packard Company

William H Wilson

Sammye Elizabeth Traudt

George P Walsh

Paul C Dryden

Terry A Berger

Richard P White

Robert P Rhodes

Wesley Miles Norman

Jane Ann Leous

Mahmoud F Abdel-Rahman

Robert C Henderson

James W Baker

Thomas D Harrison

Thomas E Price

Jonathan Michael Frentzel

Ponna Peter Pa

Michael D Glaser

Roger A Brown

Jared M Bushey

Ellen F Mason

Thomas M Przybylski

The present disclosure relates generally to a chromatography column adaptor for forming a fluidic connection between a chromatography column and a GC component. The present disclosure also relates to fluidic connections for a gas chromatography system.

Chromatography column adaptor and use for fluidic connections

A heating apparatus for a gas chromatography column is described. The GC column heating apparatus includes a conical heater assembly comprising a heating element between an inner layer and an outer layer. The apparatus can also include optionally an outer cowl and/or an inner cowl surrounding the conical heater assembly. The conical heater assembly rapidly increases the temperature of the column by conductive heating. The selection of shape (in particular, the cone angle of a conical heater) and materials allows the GC column to adapt to expansion that occurs upon heating. A gas chromatography (GC) column heating and cooling apparatus is also described, in which the heater and outer cowl define a flowpath through which a cooling fluid can pass and cool the GC column.

Conical heater assembly for a gas chromatography column

An apparatus includes a first column heating apparatus, which includes: a first substrate; a second substrate including silicon; and a first heating element disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The apparatus also includes a second column heating apparatus, which includes: a third substrate; a fourth substrate including silicon; and a second heating element disposed between the third substrate and the fourth substrate.

Gas chromatography (GC) column heater

An apparatus for heating a GC column is described. The apparatus includes first and second temperature sensors. Temperature data are used to set power provided to a heating element of the apparatus.

Gas chromatography (GC) column heater control using multiple temperature sensors

A gas chromatography (GC) column heating apparatus is described. The GC column heating apparatus includes a first substrate; a heating element disposed over the first substrate; and a second substrate. A gas chromatography (GC) column heating and cooling apparatus is also described. The GC column cooling and heating apparatus includes a housing configured to receive a heating apparatus, the heating apparatus comprising a first side and a second side; a first thermal insulation layer disposed over the first side; a second thermal insulation layer disposed over the second side; and an actuator connected to the housing and configured to move the first and second thermal insulation layers in contact with the first and second sides, respectively, during a heating sequence, and to move the first and second layers of insulation out of contact with the first and second sides, respectively, during a cooling sequence.

A representative embodiment is directed to a fitting for fluidically coupling a GC column to another structure. The fitting comprises: a first end configured to receive a ferrule having a tubular element disposed therein, the tubular element being oriented in a first direction; and a second end fluidically connected to the first end and having an opening to provide a fluid from the tubular element in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The second end comprises a substantially planar portion, and the planar portion is configured to make a substantially gas impermeable seal with another element of a GC system.

GC column connection with a planar connection to mating devices

The present invention relates to methods and systems for controlling depressurization of a vial containing a gas sample. The disclosed systems and methods are employed during sampling and/or analysis of the gas sample. One exemplary method for controlling depressurization of a vial containing a gas sample includes establishing fluid communication between a sample loop of a head space sampling device and the head space of the vial. A sample gas pressure is established within the head space of the vial. The sample loop is connected in fluid communication with a lower pressure environment through a ventilation pathway. A ventilation valve within the ventilation pathway is used to vent gas from the vial through the sample loop to the lower pressure environment at a predetermined rate. Devices and systems for depressurizing a vial containing a gas sample at a predetermined rate are also disclosed.

Methods, devices, and systems for controlling the rate of gas depressurization within a vial containing a gas sample

A method for semi-automatically generating configuration information for a gas chromatograph uses an identification device reader of the gas chromatograph to 1) determine a presence and location of sample flow component identification devices in or on identification device holders that hold the sample flow component identification devices; 2) read information from sample flow component identification devices held in the identification device holders; and 3) output configuration information for the gas chromatograph. The configuration information is based on the presence and location of particular sample flow component identification devices in or on particular identification device holders, and on associations of particular identification device holders with particular sample flow component connections to the gas chromatograph. The configuration information indicates if and how sample flow components are connected to the gas chromatograph.

Gas chromatograph providing semi-automatic identification of connected sample flow components, and method of operating same

An inlet liner is provided for use in an inlet assembly of a chromatograph system. The inlet liner has an elongate tube that extends along a longitudinal axis and defines a bore that extends along the longitudinal axis and has an inner bore surface. At least one projection extends from the inner bore surface into the bore. Chromatograph systems are provided including the exemplary inlet liner(s). Methods are also provided for analyzing a sample containing a matrix in a chromatograph system having an inlet assembly connected to a chromatograph column. The method includes positioning an exemplary inlet liner in the inlet assembly, flowing the sample through the inlet liner, and adhering a portion of the matrix to a projection surface of at least one projection of the inlet liner.

Restricted line of sight design for inlet liner

A sample inlet liner includes a novel matrix that serves to retain an injected sample. The preferred inert matrix is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that serves to retain an injected sample and is provided in lieu of a conventional packing material. The contemplated inert matrix may be selected from a range of configurations of PTFE so as to provide a supporting material capable of retaining an ample quantity of injected sample in the sample inlet liner. The contemplated matrix nonetheless provides a tortuous path for the retained quantity of injected sample so as to facilitate known injection techniques such as split/splitless injection and large volume injections.

PTFE matrix in a sample inlet liner and method of use

A chromatograph includes an inlet for receiving a sample and a pressurized hydrogen gas flow and in response providing a sample/fluid mixture; a separation column located in a temperature-controlled zone for receiving the sample/fluid mixture and for providing a column effluent stream; a detector for receiving the effluent stream and for providing a detector output stream; and a gas storage system for receiving the detector output stream (and optionally a split flow and a septum purge flow in the instance of a split/splitless inlet) and for storing the received gas stream for subsequent reuse. In the preferred embodiments of the gas storage system, a plurality of metal hydride storage (MHS) systems are used.

Chromatograph having a gas storage system

An airflow director constructed for use with a separation column in a temperature-controlled air bath in a chromatographic oven cavity, wherein the airflow director includes at least a first baffle locatable with respect to the separation column and to the low pressure and high-pressure regions of the air bath, wherein the baffle is configured to direct air flow away from the high-pressure region before passing over the separation column. The temperature-controlled air thereby mixes with oven cavity air before passing over the separation column, which is thereby less subject to thermal gradients.

Oven air flow director

PTFE matrix in a sample inlet liner

A chromatograph includes an inlet for receiving a sample and a pressurized carrier fluid flow and in response providing a sample/fluid mixture; a separation column located in a temperature-controlled zone for receiving the sample/fluid mixture and for providing a column effluent stream; a detector for receiving the effluent stream and for providing a detector output stream; and a gas recycling system for receiving the detector output stream, and optionally a split flow and a septum purge line flow, and for providing therefrom a recycled carrier gas stream suitable for reuse as the pressurized carrier fluid flow.

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Newark, DE, United States of America

William H Wilson