Agilent Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector and Nitrogen Chemiluminescence Detector Specification Guide

Importance of Sulfur and Nitrogen Chemiluminescence Detection in Gas Chromatography

Gas chromatography combined with chemiluminescence detection for sulfur and nitrogen is essential for trace-level analysis of contaminants in environmental, petrochemical, and quality control laboratories. These detectors offer exceptional specificity and sensitivity to heteroatoms that are often challenging to measure with standard detectors, supporting compliance with regulatory standards and ensuring product safety.

Objectives and Study Overview

This specification guide presents performance characteristics of Agilent’s 8355 Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector (SCD) and 8255 Nitrogen Chemiluminescence Detector (NCD), both available in standalone or tandem configurations with a flame ionization detector (FID). Key metrics such as detection limits, selectivity, linearity, repeatability, and operational parameters are detailed to inform method development and instrument selection.

Applied Methodology and Instrumentation

Both detectors utilize a high-temperature burner to convert analyte atoms to excited species that emit light upon returning to the ground state. Emitted photons are detected by a photomultiplier tube specific to sulfur or nitrogen wavelengths. Operating gases include ultra-high-purity oxygen, hydrogen, and air. Typical GC conditions employ capillary columns (30 m × 0.32 mm) with temperature ramps optimized for the test compounds.

• 8355 SCD burner temperature: 800 °C; hydrogen flow 8–38 mL/min; air 50 mL/min; ozone from dry oxygen.
• 8255 NCD burner temperature: 900 °C; hydrogen 3 mL/min; oxygen 8 mL/min; ozone from dry oxygen.
• Columns: DB-1 or HP-5 phases, 1.0 µm and 0.25 µm film thickness.
• Detection: 0–1 V or 0–10 V analog output.

Main Results and Discussion

Performance data demonstrate sub-picogram detection limits, high selectivity over hydrocarbons, broad linear dynamic range, and stable repeatability:

• Detection limits (MDL): SCD <0.5 pg(S)/s; NCD <3 pg(N)/s; tandem configurations <5 pg(S)/s and <30 pg(N)/s.
• Selectivity: Greater than 2 × 107 g(S or N)/g(C2) for standalone, >106 for tandem setups.
• Linearity: Exceeds four orders of magnitude, supporting quantitative analysis from trace to high concentrations.
• Repeatability: <2 % RSD over 2 hours (SCD), <1.5 % RSD over 8 hours (NCD).
• Environmental tolerance: 10–40 °C, up to 80 % RH, altitude up to 2,000 m.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Chemiluminescence detectors excel in environmental monitoring of sulfur compounds in fuels, nitrogen species in pharmaceuticals, and trace impurities in chemical manufacturing. Their high selectivity minimizes matrix interferences, reducing the need for extensive sample cleanup. Integration with FID in tandem mode allows simultaneous hydrocarbon and heteroatom analysis, improving laboratory throughput.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances may include miniaturized detector modules for field deployment, enhanced photomultiplier designs for lower noise, and software-driven auto-optimization of burner conditions. Coupling with multidimensional GC and high-resolution mass spectrometry could further expand application scope in metabolomics and petrochemical research.

Conclusion

Agilent’s 8355 SCD and 8255 NCD offer robust, sensitive, and selective solutions for sulfur and nitrogen analysis by gas chromatography. Their low detection limits, wide dynamic range, and stable performance make them valuable tools across diverse analytical settings.

References

• Agilent Technologies Inc. 2016 Specification Guide for the 8355 Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector and 8255 Nitrogen Chemiluminescence Detector.