The Mini Gas Splitter: SCION’s Special Tool to Improve Analytical Accuracy

Importance of the Topic

Accurate detection of sulfur compounds in industrial gases is essential due to their impact on corrosion, toxicity, and environmental pollution. Trace analysis at ppb levels requires minimizing analyte losses caused by adsorption in the sample transfer path. The SCION mini gas splitter addresses these challenges and enhances analytical reliability.

Study Objectives and Overview

This application note evaluates the performance of SCION’s mini gas splitter in gas chromatography with a pulsed flame photometric detector (PFPD) operated in sulfur mode. The goal is to demonstrate how the splitter reduces adsorption, improves signal response, and ensures repeatable quantification of H2S, COS, and CH3SH.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The experimental setup used inert materials throughout the sample path: deactivated steel transfer tubes, a Hastelloy-C injection loop and valve, and a 60 m × 0.32 mm, 5 µm SCION fused silica column. After passing through a large sample loop to boost sensitivity for trace levels, the sample is directed through the mini gas splitter (EFC 25) before the column. Key instrumentation:

• SCION GC with pulsed flame photometric detector in sulfur mode
• SCION mini gas splitter made of deactivated materials
• Hastelloy-C sample loop and transfer lines
• 60 m, 5 µm SCION fused silica column

Key Results and Discussion

Chromatogram overlays comparing analyses with and without the mini splitter show significantly higher and more consistent peak areas when the splitter is used. Repeatability over three injections yielded RSD values of 1.04 % for H2S, 1.25 % for COS, and 0.19 % for CH3SH. The equimolar response observed confirms that adsorption losses are negligible with the mini splitter in place.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The mini gas splitter eliminates adsorption artifacts and avoids systematic under-reporting of sulfur species. Combined with the PFPD’s high sulfur/carbon selectivity, this approach delivers accurate, reproducible results ideal for QA/QC in refineries, gas treatment facilities, and other industrial environments.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances may include integration of mini splitters into fully automated GC systems, further miniaturization for portable analyzers, and application to other reactive trace analytes. Coupling with high-resolution detectors and on-line process monitoring platforms will expand real-time monitoring capabilities in the field.

Conclusion

The SCION mini gas splitter effectively prevents sulfur adsorption in GC sample pathways, ensures equimolar detector response, and enhances repeatability and accuracy for trace sulfur analysis using PFPD.

Instrumentation Used

• SCION gas chromatograph with PFPD in sulfur mode
• Mini gas splitter (EFC 25) made of deactivated materials
• Hastelloy-C injection loop and transfer tubing
• 60 m × 0.32 mm, 5 µm SCION fused silica column