Gas Chromatography (GC) Analysis Lab

Gas Chromatography (GC) Analysis Lab

Gas Chromatography (GC), also known as Vapor-Phase Chromatography (VPC) or Gas-Liquid Partition Chromatography (GLPC), is a type of chromatography technique used to analyze specimens that can be vaporized without decomposition. 

In the GC unit, the gaseous or liquid sample is injected into a carrier gas (moving phase) and then passed through a stationary phase. The sample is heated and vaporized within the Gas Chromatography (GC) analysis unit. The compounds in the mixture get separated and are measured by a detector. The detector converts the measured value into electrical signals, which are then sent to a data processing unit. 

The carrier gas used in GC analysis is usually inert gas, such as helium and argon. The stationary phase is a microscopic layer of viscous liquid present on a solid surface.

Common Uses of Gas Chromatography (GC)

• Determining the purity of substances.
• Separation of components of a mixture.

Advantages of Gas Chromatography

• Robust technique.
• Widely employed technique.

Disadvantages of Gas Chromatography

• Results are not reliable for non-volatile specimens. 
• Materials that degrade with heat cannot be tested through GC. 

Industrial Application of Gas Chromatography

• Pharmaceuticals
• FMCG
• Forensics