SPT, the “Sample Pre-Concentration Trap” Integrated Concentrator for Gas Chromatography Analysis

Ian Parry, SCION Instruments, Edinburgh, UK

Many organic compounds present in ambient air are emissions from mobile, industrial, natural sources or landfills and hazardous waste sites. The levels of these compounds that are detrimental to human health over long time intervals are very low, typically at the low part per billion level and are generally regulated by national or local government agencies. The measurement of these trace levels generally requires the use of a pre-concentration device to trap sufficient material from an air sample to allow detection with chromatographic detectors.

Such pre-concentration devices are often standalone units, pneumatically interfaced to a gas chromatograph with either metallic or fused silica transfer lines and electronically operated with status input and remote operation cables. They are usually controlled from a separate PC or external controller; the complete system will occupy quite some bench space.

In this presentation an integrated pre-concentration trap is discussed; and its flexibility with the instrument is illustrated on selected applications

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Short Biography of Presenting Author

Ian Parry is the GC/GCMS Global Product Manager for SCION Instruments.

Mr Parry has over 15 years experience of using GC and GCMS in a number of fields including Forensics and Pharmaceutical analysis. 

Built on the history of Chrompack and Varian in GC and GC-MS, SCION Instruments was acquired by the Techcomp group in 2014.

SCION Instruments designs, develops, supplies and supports GC, GC-MS and Compass CDS (chromatography data system) product lines.

The company prides itself for manufacturing in Europe at facilities in Goes, The Netherlands with its headquarters based in Livingston, Scotland. SCION Instruments maintains a global infrastructure to support sales around the world. As well as providing support for SCION Instruments customers, there is also service and support available for users of legacy Varian systems.