Practical Faster GC Applications with High-Efficiency GC Columns and Method Translation Software

Importance of the Topic

Gas chromatography (GC) remains a cornerstone in analytical chemistry for environmental monitoring, food safety, pharmaceuticals and industrial quality control. Traditional GC methods can be time-consuming, limiting sample throughput and laboratory efficiency. Advances in high-efficiency capillary columns and method translation software enable significant reductions in analysis time without compromising resolution, selectivity or sensitivity.

Study Objectives and Overview

This whitepaper demonstrates practical strategies for accelerating GC analyses by combining narrow-bore, high-efficiency columns with Agilent’s Method Translation Software. A range of real-world examples—pesticide screening (CLP), semivolatile compounds (EPA 8270), PCB analysis in fish oil, aromatic solvents and fragrance profiling—illustrates how to adapt existing methods to faster conditions while maintaining performance.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The core approach involves:

• Reducing column internal diameter (0.25 mm to 0.18 mm) and film thickness to boost plate count per unit length.
• Optimizing carrier gas type (He vs. H₂) and linear velocity based on Van Deemter kinetics to balance diffusion and mass transfer.
• Shortening column length and employing steeper temperature ramps to shrink run times.
• Using Deans switching for heart-cutting and backflush to isolate target analytes and remove matrix interferences (e.g., PCBs in fish oil).
• Applying Agilent Method Translation Software to convert methods across column dimensions and carrier gases while preserving elution order and resolution.

Key instrumentation included Agilent 7890A/6890N GC systems with FID, µECD or MS detectors, split/splitless inlets with pulsed injection, and detachable backflush manifolds.

Main Findings and Discussion

• Narrower columns (0.18 mm ID) cut analysis times by 35–60 % with equivalent resolution for critical pairs (e.g., sabinene/β-pinene).
• Method translation software accurately scaled temperature programs and flow rates, enabling direct transfer of CLP pesticide and EPA 8270 methods between column types and gases.
• In fish oil PCB analysis, heart-cutting on a DB-XLB column isolated six target congeners, and backflushing of the primary column prevented high-boiler buildup.
• Aromatic solvents (ASTM Unified Method) and fragrance components (spearmint oil) exhibited consistent separation quality when migrated to high-efficiency columns and hydrogen carrier.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Up to two-fold increases in sample throughput with minimal method redevelopment.
• Reduced carrier gas consumption and lower operating costs.
• Enhanced laboratory capacity for high-volume QA/QC or contract testing environments.
• Streamlined method adaptation between instruments and column inventories via translation software.

Future Trends and Applications

The next generation of GC will likely integrate AI-driven method optimization, further miniaturized columns, multisample multiplexing and advanced GC × GC or LC–GC interfaces. Wider adoption of hydrogen as carrier gas and smart software automation will further accelerate routine analyses across industries.

Conclusion

By combining high-efficiency capillary columns, optimized gas flows, advanced temperature programming and method translation tools, laboratories can achieve dramatic reductions in GC run times while preserving resolution and reliability. These practical strategies support higher throughput, lower costs and future scalability of routine GC workflows.

References

• Agilent Technologies. High Efficiency Column website.
• Agilent Technologies. Method Translation Software download.
• Szelewski M. Significant Cycle Time Reduction Using the Agilent 7890A/7975C GC/MSD for EPA Method 8270. Agilent Technologies Inc., 2006.
• Lynam K., Zou Y. A Faster Solution for Unified Volatile Organic Analysis with 0.18 mm ID GC Columns. Agilent Technologies Inc., Separation Times 20-05.
• McCurry J.D. A Unified Gas Chromatography Method for Aromatic Solvent Analysis. Agilent Technologies Inc., 2004.
• Zou Y. Fast Analysis of Aromatic Solvent with 0.18 mm ID GC Columns. Agilent Technologies Inc., 2006.
• Wylie P.L. Direct Injection of Fish Oil for the GC-ECD Analysis of PCBs: Results Using A Deans Switch with Backflushing. Agilent Technologies Inc., 2008.
• Wool L., Decker D. Practical Fast Gas Chromatography for Contract Laboratory Program Pesticide Analysis. Journal of Chromatographic Science, 2002;40:321–329.