Reduction of Analysis Time using GCMS-QP2010

Introduction

The headspace-GC/MS (HS-GC/MS) is often used for the measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCS) in environmental water samples. The 2001 revision of the Drinking Water Testing Method in Japan prescribes the HS-GC/MS for measurement of VOCs in tap water. Reducing the analysis time is essential for the improvement of productivity. Analysis time can be shorted by reducing column length, increasing carrier gas flow rate, and increasing the column temperature, but these methods result in poorer resolution. Conversely, the usual method to improve the resolution is using a column with smaller inner diameter. However, reduced carrier gas flow rate using the HS-GC/MS makes detection sensitivity less due to the reduction of the headspace gas introduced into the column, and also the broadening of the chromatogram peaks. Water which is also introduced into the mass spegtrometer, may cause fluctuations in sensitivity due to issues related to the vacuum condition The Shimadzu GCMS-QP2010 offers high sensitivity and can ensure sufficiently high vacuum due to the large-capacity vacuum evacuation system (incorporating 260 L/sec and 65 L/sec turbo molecular pumps). These features allow analysis time to be easily reduced by use of a small diameter column. This data sheet introduces examples of reducing the analysis time from 30-minute to 15-minute cycles when analyzing the 23VOCs according to the Drnking Water Testing Method using GCMS-QP2010.

June 16, 2003 GMT