Coupled Architecture
Hyphenated liquid and gas chromatography systems automate sample preparation and fraction separation within a single closed analytical flow path. Utilizing online hplc gc fid allows packaging laboratories to quantify mineral oil hydrocarbons in paperboard extracts with minimal manual intervention. Liquid chromatography isolates saturated and aromatic fractions, which are directly transferred to gas chromatography through a specialized interface.
Flame ionization detection measures total hydrocarbon mass across specified carbon number ranges.
Automated Fractionation
Manual solid-phase extraction procedures introduce solvent contamination risks and analyte loss during evaporation steps. Integrated online hplc gc fid platforms eliminate manual transfer steps by directing liquid chromatography fractions directly into gas chromatography retention gaps using solvent vapor exit valves. Silica gel columns in the liquid chromatography module retain interfering polar lipids and resin acids from paper extracts.
Early-eluting saturated hydrocarbons pass into the gas chromatograph, followed by a valve switch that directs aromatic hydrocarbons onto a second analytical column. Automated column backflushing removes heavy wood extractives and synthetic waxes, preserving gas chromatography column longevity. High solvent evaporation rates inside the retention gap focus target analytes prior to capillary column separation.
Quantification Precision
High sample throughput and reproducible retention times characterize automated coupled systems during commercial paper testing. Operating online hplc gc fid reduces baseline noise and eliminates operator variations inherent in manual column preparation. Calibration stability allows continuous batch processing of recycled paperboard samples.
System leak tightness protects extracts from atmospheric hydrocarbon contamination during high-temperature injection cycles.
