Columns | Column: GC Connections

In this month's "GC Connections," John Hinshaw examines optimization strategies for gas chromatography columns in the second installment of a multipart series. He starts with a question from a reader and then discusses broader column issues.

John Hinshaw reviews the new gas chromatography instrumentation and accessories introduced at Pittcon this year.

This month's column reviews some basic GC measurements and calculations that can be applied to questions of column quality. By understanding the analytical process, chromatographers can improve the quality of their results.

This report describes five small and very useful accessories developed 40 years ago to adapt gas chromatographs for special tasks.

This month's "GC Connections" begins a multipart series about gas chromatograph performance optimization. In this first part, John Hinshaw addresses questions of instrument capabilities and chromatographers' expectations, as well as manual–hardware optimization strategies and software-separation strategies.

In the first of two "GC Connections" columns, Hinshaw responds to reader questions about the signal-to-noise ratio and what it means in practical terms.

A second installment of "GC Connections" answers a reader's question about dual-column gas chromatography systems and their proper maintenance.

In part I, Hinshaw described a simple experiment with coins to explain the statistical nature of separations and to impart a better understanding of the physical processes inside the column. In part II, he compares this coin-toss simulation with chromatographic columns and describes differences between the analogy and real-world situations.

Analysts can optimize their separations by using combinations of two columns connected in series. This type of coupled column system produces peak separations that are a combination of separations obtained on each column.