Agilent 990-PRO Micro GC for Process Monitoring - Data Sheet

Significance of the Topic

Rapid, reliable gas analysis is essential for maintaining safety, efficiency, and product quality in many industrial processes. Real-time monitoring of gas composition supports informed decision making in energy production, petrochemicals, environmental monitoring, and process control. Micro gas chromatography (micro GC) offers a compact, automated solution for continuous online analysis, reducing response times compared to traditional laboratory techniques and enabling immediate corrective actions.

Aims and Overview of the Study

The document describes the Agilent 990-PRO Micro GC designed for robust process monitoring. Its primary objective is to deliver fast, accurate gas composition measurements—from major components to trace contaminants—directly at the process site, eliminating delays associated with sample transport and centralized laboratory testing.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The 990-PRO Micro GC integrates up to four independent analytical channels, each featuring:

• Micro-machined injector with no moving parts, heated up to 110 °C, and software-controlled injection volumes (1–10 µL).
• Micro-packaged column oven capable of reaching temperatures up to 180 °C.
• Micro-thermal conductivity detector (TCD) with dual channels (sample and reference), four filaments, and 200 nL internal volume per channel.
• Support for a wide range of column chemistries, including WCOT capillaries (CP-Sil 5, CP-Sil 13, CP-Sil 19, CP-WAX) and PLOT columns (Molsieve 5A, PoraPLOT Q/U, Hayesep, Carboxene).

Sample introduction uses a stainless steel inlet with replaceable filter and optional multiposition valve for automated stream selection. The system operates autonomously, managing GC control, data integration, and results transfer via industrial communication protocols (4-20 mA, Modbus, LAN, RS-232/485, FTP).

Principal Results and Discussion

Key performance metrics of the 990-PRO include:

• Analysis cycles from seconds to minutes, delivering laboratory-quality chromatograms in near real time.
• Detection limits down to 0.5 ppm for capillary columns, 2 ppm for PLOT, and 10 ppm for micropacked columns.
• Wide linear dynamic range (0.5 ppm to 100% concentration) enabling both trace and bulk component quantification.
• Repeatability better than 0.5% RSD for propane at 1 mol% under controlled conditions.

This combination of sensitivity, speed, and reproducibility makes the instrument suitable for applications such as natural gas calorific value determination, odorant monitoring, refinery gas composition, and detection of trace contaminants in industrial gas streams.

Benefits and Practical Applications of the Method

The 990-PRO offers several practical advantages:

• Continuous 24/7 operation without local supervision, with direct data output to process control systems.
• Minimal sample volume and operation without flammable carrier gases, enhancing safety in hazardous environments.
• On-board intelligence and data handling eliminate the need for external computers during routine analysis.
• Modular design supports flexible channel configurations and field upgrades, adapting to evolving analytical requirements.

Use cases span natural gas quality measurement, petrochemical process control, emissions monitoring, and quality assurance in industrial gas production.

Future Trends and Applications

Emerging trends point toward deeper integration of micro GC systems into digital process ecosystems. Anticipated developments include:

• Enhanced remote diagnostics and cloud-based data analytics for predictive maintenance.
• Miniaturization of detection modules to further reduce power consumption and footprint.
• Expansion of column chemistries for selective analysis of emerging contaminants.
• Seamless integration with Industry 4.0 networks and IoT platforms for real-time global monitoring.

Such advances will broaden the range of accessible analytes, improve uptime, and deliver richer process insights.

Conclusion

The Agilent 990-PRO Micro GC represents a significant advancement in process gas analysis, combining high speed, sensitivity, and autonomy. Its modular architecture, rugged design, and extensive communication options make it a versatile tool for continuous monitoring in diverse industrial settings. By providing rapid, accurate results on site, the system enhances operational safety, optimizes product quality, and enables proactive process control.

References

No external literature references were included in the source document.