Parallel detection GC×GC-TOF MS/FID for complete characterisation of petrochemicals

Precise characterization of petrochemical samples is crucial for quality control, and also to understand the reactions that take place during refining processes. 

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) offers significant advantages over conventional chromatography for such analyses, with its vastly expanded separation space and the added benefit of highly structured groupings of compounds. 

GCxGC with parallel detection by flame ionisation detection (FID) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) provides targeted and non-targeted approaches in a single run. We also demonstrate Tandem Ionisation for simultaneous acquisition of both hard and soft EI spectra, providing improved speciation of isomers that are indistinguishable based on 70 eV data alone. 

This approach therefore pushes the boundaries of hyphenated systems by providing three information-rich datasets per acquisition - namely robust quantitation by GCxGC-FID, untargeted screening by GCxGC-TOF MS (70 eV) and confirmatory identification by soft EI.

Simple yet effective data processing will also be demonstrated, proving that GCxGC can be a productive member of any high-throughput laboratory, by enabling sophisticated data navigation and streamlined workflows.