New GC Offers Highest Dodecane Sensitivity and Caters for a Host of Applications

Shimadzu has released a new top-of-the-line gas chromatograph (GC). The Nexis GC-2030 is based on the concept of superior usability and expandability for a wide variety of analytical applications. For these purposes, the Nexis GC-2030 can be equipped with any of a family of high-sensitivity detectors, such as the unique barrier discharge ionisation detector (BID) or a flame ionisation detector (FID) which offers the world's highest sensitivity < 1.2 pg C/s related to Dodecane. All detectors are ultra-fast responding with a sampling frequency of up to 500 Hz in combination with a selectable filter time constant down to 2ms.

Gas chromatographs are used for R&D and quality control in a wide range of fields. With a growing concern about safety and minimising any impact on both humans and the environment in recent years, there is an increasing demand for analysing trace impurities in raw materials and analyzing the gases emitted from products. This requires analytical instruments able to output reliable results regardless of the skill level of the operator.

Therefore, the Nexis GC-2030 was designed to offer the high sensitivity analytical capability and high expandability demanded by the market, while also featuring functionality that enables almost anyone to easily operate and maintain the instrument intuitively.

Equipped with a full colour LCD touch panel, the Nexis GC-2030 can be operated intuitively by simply touching the clearly organized and easy-to-understand interface. It also allows users to configure various parameter settings, perform self-diagnostics, automatically check for carrier gas leaks, and display chromatograms via the interface on the main GC unit. A variety of innovations are included to minimise the time and effort required for maintenance.

Equipped with a CPU, the advanced flow controller (AFC) enables ultra-high-speed and ultra-high-precision flow control that results in exceptional reproducibility. It supports a variety of control modes, such as carrier gas constant linear velocity control, constant flowrate control, and constant pressure control. Multi-step programs can be created for each control mode as well. Additional detectors can be installed via up to four ports, such as a flame ionisation detector (FID) offering the world's highest sensitivity, or a dielectric barrier discharge detector identifying trace quantities of most components at sub-ppm levels.

Specialised analysers (GC systems) can be configured for specific needs by connecting flow lines to up to three ports, detectors to up to four ports, or up to eight valves to an optional valve box. Enhanced compatibility with Advanced Flow Technology (AFT), which enables back flushing, switching between detectors, detector splitting, and heart-cutting, helps improve productivity by reducing laboratory space requirements and increasing analysis speed. Compatibility with the carrier gas saver function and the sleep mode significantly reduces gas consumption and operating costs.

The new LabSolutions software features a new graphical user interface that significantly improves usability. It allows the instrument status to be determined at a glance and the parameter settings window to be displayed with a single click. Also, various functionalities to ensure compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and data integrity provide powerful support for laboratory management workflow.