Analytical Gas Chromatography

Book excerpt: Analytical Gas Chromatography is a free-standing introduction to and guide through the rapidly progressing field of analytical gas chromatography. The book is divided into 10 chapters that cover various aspects of analytical gas chromatography, from most advantageous column type to troubleshooting. The opening chapters of the book discuss the advantages of the open tubular column over the packed column. This topic is followed by significant chapters on various variables in the gas chromatographic process, including sample injection, stationary phase, carrier gas, and installation. The effect of changes in these variables on the solution elution order is also considered. A chapter also examines the influence of instrumental design features, such as excessive or unswept volumes in the flow path; suitability of the detection mode; and speed and fidelity of the data-handling equipment. The book also presents selected methods that have been employed to achieve better results for a given gas chromatographic problem. The application areas of gas chromatographic process, including food, flavor, fragrance, petroleum- and chemical-related, environment, biology, and medicine, are also presented. The concluding chapter addresses the basic troubleshooting knowledge and considers other chromatographic problems and methods for their rectification.