2014 Gas Chromatography Product Survey Results
Gas chromatography (GC) is a common technique used in analytical chemistry for separating and analyzing compounds that can be vaporized without decomposition. GC is typically used for separating the different components of a mixture, improving the purity of a particular substance, or identifying a particular compound. GC is a ubiquitous technique, and the various GC instruments available are designed to achieve every requirement of the technique.
Trevor Henderson, PhD
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Trevor Henderson BSc (HK), MSc, PhD (c), is the creative services director at Lab Manager. He has more than two decades of experience in the fields of scientific...
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Top 6 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a GC System
- What factors come into play when determining the GC system specifications you require in terms of cycle time, enhanced operator benefits, increased productivity and flexibility for specific applications?
- What differentiates the vendor’s GC system from others offered, in terms of performance?
- How do you validate the specification claims presented by the vendor?
- Has the data processing software been designed for enhanced analytics, with workflow in mind and does it support critical compliance requirements?
- What are important price points to keep in mind when selecting a GC system?
- Laboratories need fast and effective services, including an effective distribution of instruments, spare parts, education, and service personnel. How does the company serve these needs worldwide?
Types of GC detectors used by survey respondents:
| Flame ionization (FID) | 32% |
| Thermal conductivity (TCD) | 14% |
| Electron capture (ECD) | 15% |
| Nitrogen-phosphorus | 4% |
| Flame photometric (FPD) | 5% |
| Photo-ionization (PID) | 3% |
| Hall electrolytic conductivity | 1% |
| Mass spectrometer | 24% |
| Don't know | 1% |
| Other | 1% |
GC-related components used by survey respondents:
| Autosampler | 24% |
| Data system | 24% |
| Purge & trap | 11% |
| Gas generator | 9% |
| Headspace sampler | 11% |
| Regulators, valves, fittings | 21% |
Nearly 44% of respondents plan on purchasing a GC system in the next year. The reasons for these purchases are as follows:
 | Addition to existing systems, increase capacity |  |
 | Upgrading existing GC-MS system | |
 | Require more sensitivity | |
 | Require shorter run times/increased lab throughput | |
 | Setting up a new lab | |
 | Require higher quality data | |
 | Trying to reduce operating costs | |
 | Require greater mass stability | |
 | Other | |
 | Require Retention-Time Locking (RLT) ready |
Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a GC system:
| Accuracy | 92% |
| Quality of data | 88% |
| Sensitivity | 84% |
| Ruggedness and reliability | 76% |
| Resolution | 74% |
| Availability of supplies and accessories | 68% |
| Precise and accurate flow rates | 67% |
| Price | 66% |
| Service and support | 65% |
| Warranties | 64% |
