Gas Chromatography Course

Lesson 1 • The Chromatogram and Basic Parameters

Defines retention time, peak area, peak height, and baseline. Students interpret a real chromatogram and extract quantitative and qualitative information.

Lesson 2 • History and Scope of GC

Traces GC development from early partition theory to modern applications. Contextualises why GC remains a dominant analytical technique across industries.

Lesson 3 • Fundamental Separation Principles

Explains partitioning, volatility, and analyte-stationary phase interactions driving separation. Links thermodynamic concepts to practical retention behaviour.

Lesson 1 • Linear Velocity and Optimal Flow

Applies Van Deemter theory to select optimal linear velocity for a given column and gas. Students calculate and set flow rates from column dimensions.

Lesson 2 • Pressure and Flow Regulation

Covers electronic pressure control, mass flow controllers, and manual regulators. Students learn to set and verify head pressure for consistent linear velocity.

Lesson 3 • Carrier Gas Properties and Selection

Compares helium, hydrogen, and nitrogen in terms of efficiency, safety, and cost. Selection criteria are linked to detector compatibility and column type.

Lesson 1 • Autosampler Operation and Optimisation

Covers liquid autosampler mechanics, syringe maintenance, and injection sequence programming. Students configure an autosampler run to maximise throughput and reproducibility.

Lesson 2 • On-Column and PTV Injection

Covers direct on-column injection for thermolabile compounds and programmed temperature vaporisation for large-volume injection. Connects technique choice to analyte stability.

Lesson 3 • Headspace and SPME Techniques

Introduces static and dynamic headspace for volatile matrices and solid-phase microextraction for trace enrichment. Students match extraction mode to matrix and target analytes.

Lesson 4 • Split and Splitless Injection

Explains split ratio, liner design, and solvent focusing for volatile analytes. Students optimise split ratio and injection volume to balance sensitivity and column loading.

Lesson 1 • Column Care and Troubleshooting

Identifies causes of column degradation including oxygen exposure, water, and high-boiling residues. Students apply remediation steps to restore column performance.

Lesson 2 • Column Installation and Conditioning

Details proper column cutting, ferrule selection, and oven installation to prevent dead volume. Conditioning protocols remove bleed and stabilise baseline before analysis.

Lesson 3 • Stationary Phase Chemistry

Surveys polydimethylsiloxane, polyethylene glycol, and specialty phases by polarity and selectivity. Students match stationary phase to analyte polarity and boiling point range.

Lesson 4 • Column Types and Dimensions

Compares packed and capillary columns and explains how length, inner diameter, and film thickness affect efficiency and capacity. Guides column selection for specific applications.

Lesson 1 • Flame Ionisation Detector

Explains hydrogen-air flame ionisation, response factors, and linear dynamic range. FID is positioned as the universal hydrocarbon detector and calibration reference.

Lesson 2 • Electron Capture and NPD Detectors

Describes ECD selectivity for halogenated and electron-rich compounds and NPD response to nitrogen and phosphorus. Students apply these detectors to pesticide and environmental analysis.

Lesson 3 • Thermal Conductivity Detector

Covers filament-based thermal conductivity measurement and carrier gas selection impact. TCD is presented as a universal, non-destructive detector for permanent gases.

Lesson 4 • Detector Maintenance and Performance Checks

Covers routine cleaning, sensitivity verification, and noise diagnostics for all major detectors. Students perform detector performance tests and interpret results against acceptance criteria.

Lesson 1 • Designing Temperature Programmes

Covers initial hold, ramp rate, and final hold parameters and their effect on resolution and run time. Students iteratively optimise a temperature programme for a target mixture.

Lesson 2 • Cryogenic and Sub-Ambient Trapping

Introduces liquid nitrogen and CO2 cooling for trapping highly volatile analytes at column head. Students configure cryogenic focusing for trace-level volatile analysis.

Lesson 3 • Equilibration and Reproducibility

Addresses oven equilibration time, cool-down rates, and their impact on retention time reproducibility. Students set equilibration parameters to meet method precision requirements.

Lesson 1 • Compound Identification Methods

Uses retention indices, retention time matching, and spectral library comparison for identification. Students apply Kovats indices to confirm analyte identity across different columns.

Lesson 2 • Method Validation Fundamentals

Defines linearity, accuracy, precision, LOD, LOQ, and specificity as core validation parameters. Students design a validation experiment and interpret results against acceptance criteria.

Lesson 3 • Calibration Strategies

Compares external standard, internal standard, and standard addition calibration for accuracy and matrix effects. Students select and implement the appropriate strategy for a given method.

Lesson 4 • Uncertainty and Statistical Evaluation

Introduces measurement uncertainty budgets, outlier testing, and control chart interpretation. Students calculate combined uncertainty for a GC result and assess fitness for purpose.

Lesson 1 • Systematic Method Development Workflow

Presents a structured approach from defining analytical goals to initial method draft. Students translate sample type, analyte list, and performance requirements into method parameters.

Lesson 2 • Preventive Maintenance Scheduling

Establishes daily, weekly, and periodic maintenance tasks to sustain instrument performance. Students create a maintenance log and schedule aligned with method requirements.

Lesson 3 • Diagnosing Common GC Problems

Provides a systematic diagnostic framework for peak shape, retention time, and sensitivity issues. Students trace symptoms to root causes using a structured troubleshooting decision tree.

Lesson 4 • Method Optimisation Strategies

Applies one-variable-at-a-time and design-of-experiments approaches to optimise resolution and speed. Students use response surface methodology to find robust operating conditions.