Analysis of Volatile Solvents on CP-Sil 5 CB using the Agilent 490 Micro GC

Importance of the Topic

Volatile organic solvents such as ethyl acetate, n-hexane, cyclohexane, iso-octane, aniline and toluene are widely used in industrial processes and pose risks to human health and the environment. Rapid on-site detection and quantification of these compounds are critical for environmental monitoring, workplace safety and regulatory compliance.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application note presents a method for analyzing six common volatile solvents in an air matrix using the Agilent 490 Micro GC equipped with a CP-Sil 5 CB column. The goal is to achieve fast, reliable separations in under two minutes and demonstrate field portability without external carrier gas or power.

Methodology and Instrumentation

An unheated injector introduces the air sample into a 4 m CP-Sil 5 CB column maintained at 70 °C with helium as the carrier gas at 100 kPa. The system operates inside a self-contained portable field case featuring built-in gas cylinders and a rechargeable battery for up to eight hours of measurement time.

• Instrument: Agilent 490 Micro GC (G3581A) in field-portable configuration
• Column: 4 m CP-Sil 5 CB, 70 °C
• Carrier gas: Helium at 100 kPa
• Injection: 200 ms, unheated injector
• Sample matrix: Ambient air spiked with target solvents

Key Results and Discussion

All six solvents were baseline resolved within 120 seconds. The CP-Sil 5 CB stationary phase provided sharp, symmetric peaks with minimal coelution. Reproducibility tests showed retention time RSD below 1 % for each analyte, demonstrating stable performance under field conditions. The rapid cycle time allows multiple analyses per hour, enhancing throughput.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The described method offers:

• Portable, self-contained operation without external gases or power
• Fast, reliable separations in under two minutes
• High reproducibility suitable for environmental monitoring and industrial hygiene
• Improved decision-making through rapid on-site results

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances may include integration with wireless networks for real-time data reporting, expanded multi-channel analysis for broader compound coverage and enhanced software algorithms for automated quantification. Further miniaturization and lower power consumption will extend field deployment capabilities.

Conclusion

The Agilent 490 Micro GC equipped with a CP-Sil 5 CB column delivers rapid, high-quality separations of volatile solvents in ambient air, all within a fully portable system. This method supports effective environmental analysis and process control directly at the point of need.

Reference

van Loon, R. (2011). Analysis of Volatile Solvents on CP-Sil 5 CB using the Agilent 490 Micro GC. Agilent Technologies, Application Note.