GC² Modulator simplifies GCxGC practice with a thermal modulation

Current generations of thermal GC×GC modulators require cryogenic cooling, which leads to high operational costs. To reduce these costs Da Vinci Laboratory Solutions introduces the DVLS GC² Modulator to the European market: the first two-stage modulator for GC×GC based on thermoelectric cooler (TEC). The TEC technique eliminates the need for cryogens and requires only minimal maintenance. The modular design and small footprint of the GC² Modulator allows an easy installation on any GC platform. (See figure one*)

What is Two-Stage Thermal Modulation?

Compounds elute from the first-dimension column and move via the first hot-zone into a thermo-electric cooler (TEC) for trapping. Following, the column is moved, where the part containing the trapped compounds enters into the second hot-zone.

Next step is to rapidly release the compounds to the second-dimension column. While releasing, compounds coming from the first-dimension column are trapped in the TEC (stage 1). After the release time, the column moves back and the compounds, trapped during the release time, are remobilised to the first hot-zone and retrapped in the TEC (stage 2). After trapping the column moves again to release the compounds. The compounds modulation range is C2 till C40+, the modulated peak widths found are 20 – 25 ms.

How to automate GCxGC Data Processing & Configuration

The Modulator incorporates the GC² Reporter: a dedicated data processing software for a GCxGC analysis. The Reporter software includes basic data visualisation, such as contour plots, 3D surface plot, a chromatogram comparison and batch analysis, see Figure Two* for Diesel GC² analysis.

Examples of the basic analysis functions are:

• Modulation period recognition, detection, combination and peak calculation
• User-defined cluster creation, operation and locking
• Integrated quantification methods (normalization, internal and external standard)
• NIST library search for compound qualification
• Retention index (RI) assisted target compound match
• Selected ion mode for visualisation and analysis

The dedicated viewer mode allows you to monitor the status real-time, to view the parameters, track the GC oven temperature, edit, save and load the method.

Use the GC² Flow Calculator tool (Figure Three*) for configuring GC columns and pneumatic systems, especially those containing multiple columns and flow/pressure control points.

Versatile Application Range

The DVLS GC² Modulator is a versatile and premium thermal modulator, suitable for most GCxGC applications in research and conventional testing laboratories, online monitoring and even in the field.

The Modulator offers:

• Operational savings on the use of the instrument, consumables and maintenance.
• A modular design which allows easy installation on any GC platform.
• A smart GCxGC flow calculation tool for easy method configuration.
• User-friendly and customized data software that reduces data workload.
• A superb performance of down to C2 compounds within a modulation period ≥ 2 s
• An innovative auxiliary flow mode that provides better resolution and easy optimization.
• A plug and play setup where no preparation time is required for modulator cooling.
• A small footprint design that can be integrated to portable or online GC for out-of-lab applications.

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