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484 LCGC VOLUME 19 NUMBER 5 MAY 2001 www.chromatographyonline.com GC Connections This month in “GC Connections,” John Hinshaw presents his report of new gas chromatography instruments and accessories exhibited at the 52nd Pittsburgh Conference. John V. Hinshaw GC Connections Editor New GC Instruments and Accessories at the 52nd Pittsburgh Conference During 4–9 March 2001 nearly 25,000 chemists, conferees, students, exhibitors, and press representatives visited New Orleans, Louisiana, for the 52nd Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy — Pittcon 2001. As in previous years at this location, the conference and exhibition took place in the Morial Convention Center adjacent to the Mississippi River. This year’s conference theme was “The Voyage of Discovery” into the twenty-first century. For a great many attendees, the voyage to the Crescent City was neither the first visit nor the last time they will return to discover what’s new and significant in analytical chemistry: The conference returns to New Orleans next year and then migrates farther south to Orlando, Florida, in 2003. This year’s conference saw some significant changes in attendance patterns. Fiftysix percent of the attendees registered as exhibitors, which represents a slightly lower exhibitor percentage than in the past two years. The overall attendance was down approximately 10% from last year, with nearly two-thirds of the drop coming from the exhibitor list. This shift does not surprise me, considering the current economic uncertainties and the recent trend toward exhibitor downsizing at the conference. Those I spoke to preferred quality over quantity, though, and I found a more down-to-business orientation at the booths I visited. The changes in the exhibition certainly have had no effect on the staggering array of products and services displayed. The technical program and short courses were in full swing again this year, and Pittcon continues to be the flagship conference in the world of analytical chemistry. The conference commenced just five days after Mardi Gras. I arrived at my French Quarter hotel on the Saturday before the conference. I eschewed the highrise accommodations closer to the convention center in favor of the perception of a more lively experience. I was pleasantly surprised to find that nearly all traces of the previous week’s debauchery had vanished, leaving only a few scattered multicolored beads and plastic cups in the alleyways. Every time I looked out my hotel window toward Bourbon Street three blocks away, I could see a nonstop stream of onlookers and partygoers who seemed determined to keep the celebration going until next year. The New Orleans spirit also pervaded the convention center, where conferees enjoyed, among other attractions, a full-time Dixieland jazz band, a booth full of exhibitors dressed in 1960s-style tie-dyed lab coats, and some cryogenic legerdemain involving collapsing balloons and a Dewar flask. As for myself, I enjoyed a relatively quiet stay and the close proximity of many fine restaurants. Next year I’m sure I’ll return to another week in le Vieux Carré (the Old Square). This annual “GC Connections” installment reviews new gas chromatography (GC) instrumentation and accessories shown at this year’s Pittcon. For a review of new chromatography columns and accessories, please see “Column Watch” in the March and April 2001 issues of LCGC (1,2). The information presented here is based on manufacturers’ replies to questionnaires received until a few weeks before the conference, as well as additional information from manufacturers’ web sites and product literature. During the conference, I took time to meander along the convention aisles and see some of the new products firsthand and discover several items that weren’t covered by the questionnaires. I have made every effort to collect accurate information, but, due to the preliminary nature of some of the material, LCGC cannot be responsible for errors or omissions. This column cannot be considered to be a complete record of all new GC products shown at this year’s Pittcon because not all manufacturers chose to respond to the questionnaire. Due to the limited space

484 LCGC VOLUME 19 NUMBER 5 MAY 2001 www.chromatographyonline.com

GC

Connections

This month in

“GC Connections,”

John Hinshaw presents

his report of new gas

chromatography

instruments and

accessories exhibited at

the 52nd Pittsburgh

Conference.

John V. Hinshaw

GC Connections Editor

New GC Instruments and

Accessories at the

52nd Pittsburgh Conference

During 4–9 March 2001 nearly

25,000 chemists, conferees, students,

exhibitors, and press representatives

visited New Orleans, Louisiana,

for the 52nd Pittsburgh Conference on

Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy

— Pittcon 2001. As in previous

years at this location, the conference and

exhibition took place in the Morial Convention

Center adjacent to the Mississippi

River. This year’s conference theme was

“The Voyage of Discovery” into the

twenty-first century. For a great many

attendees, the voyage to the Crescent City

was neither the first visit nor the last time

they will return to discover what’s new and

significant in analytical chemistry: The conference

returns to New Orleans next year

and then migrates farther south to

Orlando, Florida, in 2003.

This year’s conference saw some significant

changes in attendance patterns. Fiftysix

percent of the attendees registered as

exhibitors, which represents a slightly lower

exhibitor percentage than in the past two

years. The overall attendance was down

approximately 10% from last year, with

nearly two-thirds of the drop coming from

the exhibitor list. This shift does not surprise

me, considering the current economic

uncertainties and the recent trend toward

exhibitor downsizing at the conference.

Those I spoke to preferred quality over

quantity, though, and I found a more

down-to-business orientation at the booths

I visited. The changes in the exhibition certainly

have had no effect on the staggering

array of products and services displayed.

The technical program and short courses

were in full swing again this year, and

Pittcon continues to be the flagship conference

in the world of analytical chemistry.

The conference commenced just five

days after Mardi Gras. I arrived at my

French Quarter hotel on the Saturday

before the conference. I eschewed the highrise

accommodations closer to the convention

center in favor of the perception of a

more lively experience. I was pleasantly surprised

to find that nearly all traces of the

previous week’s debauchery had vanished,

leaving only a few scattered multicolored

beads and plastic cups in the alleyways.

Every time I looked out my hotel window

toward Bourbon Street three blocks away, I

could see a nonstop stream of onlookers

and partygoers who seemed determined to

keep the celebration going until next year.

The New Orleans spirit also pervaded the

convention center, where conferees enjoyed,

among other attractions, a full-time Dixieland

jazz band, a booth full of exhibitors

dressed in 1960s-style tie-dyed lab coats,

and some cryogenic legerdemain involving

collapsing balloons and a Dewar flask. As

for myself, I enjoyed a relatively quiet stay

and the close proximity of many fine

restaurants. Next year I’m sure I’ll return to

another week in le Vieux Carré (the Old

Square).

This annual “GC Connections” installment

reviews new gas chromatography

(GC) instrumentation and accessories

shown at this year’s Pittcon. For a review of

new chromatography columns and accessories,

please see “Column Watch” in the

March and April 2001 issues of LCGC

(1,2). The information presented here is

based on manufacturers’ replies to questionnaires

received until a few weeks before the

conference, as well as additional information

from manufacturers’ web sites and

product literature. During the conference,

I took time to meander along the convention

aisles and see some of the new products

firsthand and discover several items

that weren’t covered by the questionnaires.

I have made every effort to collect accurate

information, but, due to the preliminary

nature of some of the material, LCGC cannot

be responsible for errors or omissions.

This column cannot be considered to be a

complete record of all new GC products

shown at this year’s Pittcon because not all

manufacturers chose to respond to the

questionnaire. Due to the limited space

486 LCGC VOLUME 19 NUMBER 5 MAY 2001 www.chromatographyonline.com

Table I: New gas chromatography autosamplers, inlets, and accessories

Product Name Manufacturer Description

AS-1020E automated Linc Quantum Analytics This automated pyrolysis sampler accommodates 48 solid or liquid samples and

pyrolysis system and Frontier Labs delivers a guaranteed relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 2.5% for

polystyrene. The manufacturer states that the design eliminates active sites and cold

spots in the sample pathway and that the system is well suited for the Agilent

Technologies’ model 5973 mass-selective detector.

AutoProbe MS probe Scientific Instrument An automated direct-exposure probe for mass spectrometry sample introduction

Services

that interfaces with the Thermo Finnigan Trace MS system. It has multiple-step probe

tip heating and can detect caffeine at the 10-ng level. It is fully integrated with

Thermo Finnigan’s Xcalibur software. The AutoProbe uses a CTC-PAL autosampler to

place sample onto the probe filament.

Encon concentrator EST Analytical This purge-and-trap concentrator includes GC and on-trap injection ports, an optional

foam sensor, a removable flowpath, trap back-pressure control, U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA)–style traps, and a 20-method storage capacity. It generates

trap heating rates in excess of 1000 °C/min.

gc-BackFlush SGE A capillary-column backflushing system that reverses column content through an

column-cleaning system

injector under time-programmed, electronic pressure control by using a low-deadvolume

tee fitting. Heavier compounds are backflushed through the inlet, thereby

reducing analysis time and detector contamination. This accessory is compatible with

both conventional and MS detectors.

Model 6890 Uniliner sleeve Restek This inlet liner enables users to perform direct injection on electronic pressurefor

direct injection

controlled Agilent Technologies’ gas chromatographs by providing an extra vent hole

to ensure proper pneumatics operation. It is available with the company’s SilTek

deactivation.

Polymeric-coated inlet liner SGE A gold-colored inlet liner provides premium deactivation in a translucent coating for

applications with polar and active compounds. The liner is available in several

different configurations.

SilTek-treated vials Restek These sample vials, treated with the company’s proprietary SilTek deactivation

process, eliminate active sites on the glass surfaces and reduce or eliminate sample

loss from sample stored in glass vials.

SolaTek 72 Multi-Matrix Tekmar-Dohrmann This 72-vial autosampler accepts 40-mL volatile organic analyte (VOA) vials for purgevial

autosampler

and-trap sampling. It includes as many as three standard injection systems for

internal standard, surrogate, and matrix spikes; SilcoSteel sample gas pathway;

incremental dilutions as low as 1:250; and high-temperature rinsing capability for

low carryover. The system also has a multiple-mode magnetic stirring mechanism.

available, not all of the information submitted

is included in this column.

Autosamplers, Inlets, and

Related Accessories

Many companies displayed new products

for automated sample preparation and

injection, and Table I lists these products.

The SolaTek 72 automated sampler from

Tekmar accommodates as many as 72

40-mL water sample vials for purge-andtrap

sampling, and it incorporates a number

of features that give it improved performance

and flexibility over the company’s

previous models. The Encon concentrator

from EST Analytical is a purge-and-trap

concentrator that has a removable sample

flow pathway, trap back-pressure control,

and 20-method storage capacity in the control

unit. Frontier Labs, through Linc

Quantum Analytics, introduced the

AS-1020E automated pyrolysis system,

which accommodates 48 liquid or solid

samples.

The AutoProbe direct-exposure probe

from Scientific Instrument Services integrates

with Thermo Finnigan’s Trace mass

spectrometry (MS) system as an alternative

to GC separation. A CTC-PAL autosampler

(Leap Technologies), included with the

AutoProbe, deposits sample solution onto

the probe tip. After solvent evaporation

under low vacuum, the probe tip enters the

mass spectrometer source where sample is

heated rapidly and volatized for direct mass

spectral analysis. Probe temperature programs

and autosampler control are integrated

with Thermo Finnigan’s Xcalibur

software.

SGE displayed the gc-BackFlush

column-cleaning system, which reduces

analysis time and prevents heavy residual

components in the GC column from entering

the detector by backflushing the heavy

components through the inlet at a predetermined

time after injection.

Deactivation continues to be an active

area of product introductions. During the

past few years, several companies have

introduced products featuring various

chemical deactivations designed to reduce

or eliminate losses of sensitive solutes. This

year, Restek showed a new sample vial

product treated with SilTek deactivation for

storage of this type of sample. Restek also

exhibited the Uniliner sleeve, with optional

SilTek deactivation, designed for direct

injection with an Agilent Technologies

model 6890 gas chromatograph.

SGE now makes a variety of inlet liners

treated with a new polymeric deactivation

coating that significantly reduces the deleterious

interaction of polar or active compounds

with the inlet liner surfaces during

injection.

Detectors and Accessories

I found a number of element-specific and

multimode detectors this year, as well as a

unique detector accessory. See Table II for

the details about these introductions. The

model 5360 XSD halogen-specific detector

488 LCGC VOLUME 19 NUMBER 5 MAY 2001 www.chromatographyonline.com

from OI Analytical delivers high sensitivity

and selectivity for halogen-containing

organic compounds with a two-step detection

process involving analyte oxidation

followed by thermionic detection. VICI

Valco showed new versions of its pulseddischarge

detector that plug directly into a

range of commercially available gas chromatographs.

The pulsed-discharge detector

is a dual-mode detector that operates as a

selective device for high-electron-affinity

compounds in an electron-capture mode

or in a helium photoionization mode that

responds universally to most organic and

inorganic compounds commonly encountered

in GC. The Tandem TID-1/NPD

detector from DETector Engineering and

Technology is a series combination of

thermionic and nitrogen–phosphorus

detectors that produce simultaneous signals

in response to both electronegative and

Table II: New gas chromatography detectors and accessories

Product Name Manufacturer Description

Model D-3 and D-4 VICI Valco New versions of VICI’s pulsed-discharge detectors have been engineered specifically

pulsed-discharge detectors

for the Agilent Technologies model 6890, Shimadzu GC-17A and GC-114,

ThermoQuest Trace, and Varian model 3800 gas chromatographs. These detectors are

optimized to operate in the helium-photoionization mode, with sensitivities in the

low parts-per-billion levels (10 9 ) for fixed gases.

Model 5360 XSD OI Analytical This detector selectively reacts to halogen-containing compounds through oxidative

halogen-specific detector

pyrolysis of the GC effluent followed by thermionic detection of free halogens. The

detector has a linear dynamic range of greater than 10 5 , sensitivity of 1 pg Cl/s, and

selectivity against hydrocarbons of 10 4 :1.

ODO-II olfactory detector SGE This device takes the outlet stream from a gas chromatograph, humidifies it, and

outlet

presents it for olfactory evaluation. The outlet can be linked to a mass-selective

detector as well for spectral identification. It is compatible with all commercially

available gas chromatographs.

Tandem TID-1/NPD detector DETector Engineering A series combination of two different thermionic ionization mode detectors produces

& Technology

simultaneous signals. The nondestructive TID-1 first stage selectively responds to

electronegative compounds, and the NPD second stage responds to nitrogen- and

phosphorus-containing compounds. The detectors are available for the Agilent

Technologies models 5890 and 6890 and Varian model 3800 gas chromatographs.

www.chromatographyonline.com

nitrogen–phosphorus-containing eluents. It

is available for several commercial gas chromatographs.

The ODO-II olfactory detector outlet

from SGE is the latest version of a device

that enables human olfactory evaluation of

column effluent with simultaneous conventional

or MS detection. The device has

applications in the flavor and fragrance

industries and can be used to evaluate offodor

problems.

GC Instruments and Systems

This year, most new GC instruments and

systems comprised application-specific

configurations that are sold as turnkey systems.

This situation is a continuation of a

trend that has been rising in GC for a

Vendors Exhibiting

GC Products at Pittcon 2001

ABB Automation, Analytical Division,

Lewisburg, West Virginia

Agilent Technologies Inc., Wilmington,

Delaware

Beckman Coulter, Inc., Allendale, New

Jersey

Chromato-Sud, St. Antoine, France

DETector Engineering & Technology, Inc.,

Walnut Creek, California

Domnick Hunter Ltd., Gateshead, United

Kingdom

EST Analytical, Cincinnati, Ohio

Frontier Labs/Linc Quantum Analytics,

Foster City, California

JMBS, Le Fontanil, France

Labtronics Inc., Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Leco Corp., St. Joseph, Michigan

NuGenesis Technologies Corp.,

Westborough, Massachusetts

OI Analytical, College Station, Texas

Parker Hannifin Corp., Balston Analytical

Gas Systems, Tewksbury, Massachusetts

PerkinElmer Instruments, Wilton,

Connecticut

Phenomenex Inc., Torrance, California

Restek Corp., Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

Scientific Instrument Services, Inc.,

Ringoes, New Jersey

Scientific Software, Inc., Pleasanton,

California

SGE, Inc., Austin, Texas

Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc.,

Columbia, Maryland

SRI Instruments Inc., Torrance, California

Tekmar-Dohrmann, Cincinnati, Ohio

Varian Inc., Walnut Creek, California

Valco Instruments Co. Inc. (VICI Valco),

Houston, Texas

number of years, as certain application

configurations become more like commodity

items than custom integrated system

components. As Table III lists, Shimadzu,

for example, showed four new applicationspecific

systems for drugs of abuse, pesticides,

dissolved transformer gases, and

stack or flue gas analysis. The AirmOzone

on-line GC system from Chromato-Sud is

specifically designed to analyze ozone precursor

compounds in ambient air, and the

company’s S-Pro 3200 series systems separate

and quantitate low-parts-per-billion

sulfur compounds in gaseous or liquefied

petroleum gas. The Vista II model 2009

GC system from ABB Automation uses a

unique resistively heated micropacked

metal column to bring the cycle times

for simulated distillation to 3 min. Agilent

Technologies introduced the model

3000-A portable gas chromatographs primarily

for natural gas and related analyses.

The micro-GC instrument has as many as

four self-contained user-replaceable GC

modules with electronic flow control,

local-area network (LAN) connectivity, and

on-board diagnostic software.

Several companies made major general

GC system introductions. Varian displayed

its new model 3900 gas chromatograph

and an ion-trap GC–MS system, the Saturn

2100, that incorporates the new gas

chromatograph for a total system width of

24 in. The single-channel model 3900 gas

chromatograph is only 12.5-in. (32-cm)

wide yet accommodates standard-coildiameter

capillary columns. The Turbo-

Mass Gold GC–MS system from

PerkinElmer yields as many as 60 quadrupole

scans/s from a bench-top MS detector

that has a 1–1200 Da mass range and femtogram

sensitivity. The Pegasus-III time-offlight

(TOF) GC–MS system from Leco is

a full-size MS analyzer with enhanced

dynamic range and spectral integrity, and a

user interface shared with the company’s

LC–TOF MS products.

General GC Accessories

At this year’s Pittcon, the general accessory

category was dominated by new gas generator

offerings, as is evident in Table IV.

Domnick Hunter showed a new high-flow,

7-L/min zero-grade air generator that provides

hydrocarbon levels (as methane) less

than 0.1 ppm, which is suitable for use

with GC flame ionization detectors. Parker

Hannifin displayed the model 76-98 UHP

nitrogen generators for GC-grade carriergas

generation and the H2 series hydrogen

generators that feature a high-pressure out-

MAY 2001 LCGC VOLUME 19 NUMBER 5 489

Circle 32

490 LCGC VOLUME 19 NUMBER 5 MAY 2001 www.chromatographyonline.com

Table III: New gas chromatography instruments and systems

Product Name Manufacturer Description

AirmOzone ozone precursor Chromato-Sud This automatic, on-line gas chromatograph analyzes ultratrace volatile organic compounds

analyzer (VOCs) in ambient air in the C 2 –C 5 and C 6 –C 10 ranges according to European Directive 99/0068

Appendix VI. It performs on-board carrier-gas generation and permeation-tube calibration in a

19-in. rack-mounted configuration. Accompanying Microsoft Windows software controls the

system and permits real-time display and data analysis.

Drug Analyzer GC–MS system Shimadzu An application-specific GC–MS system that provides parts-per-trillion (10 12 ) sensitivity for

drugs of abuse in bodily fluids. The system performs electron-impact or negative chemical

ionization MS detection.

GC–MS pesticide analyzer Shimadzu This turnkey pesticide analysis system provides parts-per-trillion (10 12 ) detection levels for

pesticides analyzed by EPA Methods 525 and 508. It features large-volume injection of samples

as large as 3 mL with a programmed-temperature vaporizer inlet system. It can use electronimpact

or negative chemical ionization in its MS detector.

Model 3000-A portable Agilent Technologies The Agilent Technologies 3000-A micro gas chromatograph is used primarily to rapidly

gas chromatograph

determine the calorific value (Btu content) and percent composition of natural gas and for

quality assurance–quality control of petroleum refinery gas process streams. Other applications

include compositional measurement of bulk and specialty gases, fuel cell development, mud

logging, and mine safety. The instrument includes LAN connectivity; an extended dynamic

range; digital pneumatics; compatibility with Agilent’s Cerity Networked Data System database

software; Gas Processors’ Association, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), or

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) natural gas reporting options; and

reduced measurement susceptibility to the effects of ambient temperature and pressure

changes. The on-board chromatography modules are user installable, as indicated by the

diagnostic software. Models are available with as many as four installed analysis modules.

Model 3900 Varian The model 3900 single-channel gas chromatograph features a small 12.5-in. (32-cm) wide by

gas chromatograph

22-in. (56-cm) deep footprint. Its 9-in. (23-cm), eight-ramp oven has a temperature range of

10 °C above ambient to 450 °C. The oven accommodates standard 7-in. (17.5 cm) coil diameter

capillary columns, heats at rates as high as 100 °C/min, and cools from 450 °C to 50 °C in 5.2

min. It features electronic flow control for the available split inlet and flame ionization

detector. The instrument operates under full remote computer control using an optional

Ethernet connection, and the optional icon-based keypad and display allow it to work as a

stand-alone instrument or in combination with computer control. The model 3900 gas

chromatograph accepts both the CP-8400 autosampler and the CP-8410 autoinjector.

Pegasus-III Leco The Pegasus-III GC–TOF MS system produces as many as 500 full-scan spectra/s. The product’s

GC–TOF MS system

dynamic signal tracking system enhances dynamic range and spectral integrity. According to

the company, the system’s automated peak-find, qualitative, quantitative, and spectral

deconvolution algorithms minimize tedious manual manipulations and enhance data quality.

The system also provides data mining algorithms that detect and extract previously

unobserved analytes buried beneath the sample matrix or other interfering analytes. The

company’s ChromaTOF software package creates a common interface and data processing

functionality across the company’s GC–TOF MS and LC–TOF MS product lines.

Saturn 2100 and 2200 Varian The Saturn 2100 ion trap GC–MS system combines the company’s Saturn MS ion-trap mass

GC–MS systems

analyzer with its new model 3900 gas chromatograph and occupies 24 in. (62 cm) of bench-top

space. The Saturn 2100 system provides single-ion storage on the mass analyzer and is

upgradable with MS–MS and liquid reagent chemical ionization. The Saturn 2200 GC–MS

system uses the company’s model 3800 gas chromatograph to create a full-featured MS

analysis system with positive–negative chemical ionization for the mass spectrometer in

addition to the Saturn 2100 options and a full range of inlets, detectors, and autosamplers for

the gas chromatograph.

S-Pro 3200 series GC systems OI Analytical The company exhibited a series of turnkey GC systems for analyzing sulfur compounds in

gaseous or liquefied petroleum gas samples. The instruments use a pulsed flame photometric

detector to provide low-parts-per-billion-level sulfur analysis. The system self-calibrates using a

built-in permeation tube oven.

Stack/Flue Shimadzu This system includes a direct interface to the flue or stack to be sampled. It can determine

gas chromatograph

hydrogen, argon, nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, acetylene, and carbon monoxide at

parts-per-million levels (10 6 ). The PC-based, computer-control system is programmable for

period sampling and analysis.

Togas-17 Shimadzu This system performs the direct analysis of dissolved gases in transformer oil, with 1-ppm

sensitivity for hydrogen and methane in mineral oil. It provides a 7-min run time and an

11-min cycle time using capillary columns for the separations.

TurboMass Gold PerkinElmer This enhanced version of the company’s GC–MS instrument has a 1–1200 Da mass range, a 10 5

GC–MS system

dynamic range with sensitivity to the femtogram level, and selectable chemical and electronimpact

ionization capabilities. It can produce as many as 60 scans/s depending upon the mass

range. The TurboMass Gold mass spectrometer can perform both selected-ion and full-scan

monitoring in a single run to gather quantitative information while simultaneously capturing

searchable spectra.

Vista II model 2009 ABB Automation This single-column, direct-heated, temperature-programmed gas chromatograph performs

gas chromatograph

ASTM D3710 and D2887 simulated distillation methods for analyzing gasoline and other

distillates with final boiling points less than 350 °C. The system has a 3-min analysis cycle time.

It uses resistively heated, 1-mm i.d. metallic micropacked columns with forced-air cooling to

achieve rapid column heating and a short cycle time.

492 LCGC VOLUME 19 NUMBER 5 MAY 2001 www.chromatographyonline.com

put of more than 100 psig and purity levels

that also are suitable for carrier-gas use.

SRI Instruments debuted an optional

hydrogen generator for its models 8610C

and 310 gas chromatographs that supplies

both flame and carrier gases. A built-in air

compressor completes the gas supply regimen

and makes those instruments free of

gas tanks. The GX-Hawk-100 hydrogen

gas leak detector from Phenomenex provides

a solution to the potential problem of

hydrogen carrier and flame gas leakage.

MSD NoVent accessories from Agilent

Technologies enhance GC–MS operation

by making it possible to change a GC column

or perform routine inlet maintenance

without venting the MS detector.

SGE introduced a new metallic ferrule

with a design that reduces ambient air and

water leakage into mass spectrometers and

eliminates contamination caused by polymeric

or graphite ferrules.

Software and Accessories

In the software and accessories category,

I found no fewer than 12 new or updated

products, as Table V shows. Two trends

stand out in this area. First, analytical

chemistry software users continue to

demand compliance with practices as spec-

ified in Title 21 of the U.S. Code of Federal

Regulations (21 CFR Part 11), in which the

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

(FDA) regulates archiving, audit trails,

electronic copies, time stamps, and validation

of records and electronic signatures.

The second trend involves the deployment

of so-called web-enabled applications that

use Internet communications and protocols.

The Cerity Networked Data System

database software from Agilent Technologies

targets pharmaceutical industry quality

assurance and control testing. It is designed

for laboratory personnel involved in routine

quality assurance and control testing

in which procedures and documentation

must be followed according to regulations

and quality standards. Pinnacle 1.1 software

from Beckman Coulter supports the

electronic signature and record requirements

of 21 CFR Part 11 with its audit

trail and security capabilities. The LIMS

Link CDS software interface package from

Labtronics transfers data from various

chromatography data systems to laboratory

information management systems (LIMS)

while performing unit conversions and

range checking. It also is 21 CFR Part 11

compliant. Class-VP 7.0 software from

Shimadzu is an update to the company’s

32-bit chromatography software that provides

21 CFR Part 11 compliance as well as

the ability to share information and control

instrumentation from widely separated

locations. Shimadzu also introduced its

Lab Solutions software for the company’s

GC–MS and LC–MS systems to provide

customized solutions for applicationspecific

analyses.

Scientific Software introduced version

2.8, the latest update to its EZChrom Elite

system. This enhanced version includes

control for additional gas chromatographs

and is 21 CFR Part 11 compliant. Also

from Scientific Software, the web-based

CyberLab software adds new SmartFilters

for several commercial data-handling systems

to its capabilities for data storage and

organization. JMBS is expanding its compatibility

with various manufacturers by

introducing Diamir version 1.4 software,

which adds instrument control for major

GC and HPLC systems. The system is 21

CFR Part 11 compliant.

Several new or updated web-enabled

systems support data access from a web

browser. LabManager iLIMS software from

Beckman Coulter supports both web and

more traditional client–server access to an

Table IV: New general gas chromatography accessories

Product Name Manufacturer Description

Built-in hydrogen generator SRI Instruments This built-in hydrogen generator for the company’s model 8610C and 310 gas

chromatographs produces as much as 20 mL/min of hydrogen at 30 psig to provide

both carrier and flame detector gases. A built-in compressor supplies air, so the

instrument is completely portable.

GX-Hawk-100 hydrogen Phenomenex A portable, solid-state sensor, selective hydrogen gas leak detector responds to

gas leak detector

hydrogen in the low parts-per-million range by sniffing at gas connections with the

included probe and is suitable for leak detection in GC systems.

H2 series hydrogen Parker Hannifin These carrier-grade hydrogen gas generators provide high-pressure output greater

generators

than 100 psig (687 kPa) with a palladium membrane and automatic water feed. They

are available in 90-, 150-, 300-, 500-, 800-, and 1200-cc/min models.

Model 76-98 UHP Parker Hannifin The model 76-98 ultrahigh-purity nitrogen generator produces as much as 12 L/min of

nitrogen generator

GC-grade carrier gas with less than 0.1-ppm total hydrocarbon content.

MSD NoVent accessories Agilent Technologies The Agilent Technologies MSD NoVent systems allow operators to change a GC

column or perform routine column and inlet maintenance without venting the mass

spectrometer. The accessories, for the company’s model 5890 and 6890 gas

chromatographs, uses a pressure-control module and a fluidic tee valve, which

mounts directly on the spectrometer’s interface to ensure a continuous flow of

helium.

Nitrox zero air generator Domnick Hunter This high-flow, zero air generator provides as much as 7 L/min of zero-grade air with

hydrocarbon levels (as methane) less than 0.1 ppm. It includes suitable filtration for

using in-house air supplies as the air source.

Siltite metal ferrules SGE This new ferrule design eliminates contamination caused by polymeric or graphite

ferrules. It requires no retightening after temperature cycling and reduces the

air–water background in MS detectors. The ferrules can withstand temperatures

greater than 400 °C and can be used with standard capillary columns as well as with

metal tubing. They are available in specific configurations for several major

manufacturers’ instruments.

494 LCGC VOLUME 19 NUMBER 5 MAY 2001 www.chromatographyonline.com

Table V: New gas chromatography software and accessories

Product Name Manufacturer Description

Cerity Networked Data System Agilent Technologies This updated version of the manufacturer’s Cerity database software supports pharmaceutical

database software

quality assurance and control operations, including hardware and software validation, levelfour

instrument control, and secure and traceable review, approval, and reporting for 21 CFR

Part 11, good manufacturing practice, current good manufacturing practice, and good

automated manufacturing practice compliance.

Class-VP 7.0 client–server Shimadzu The latest version of Shimadzu Scientific Instruments’ Class-VP 32-bit chromatography

software

software ensures full compliance for validation, electronic signature, and audit trail. It

includes full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance and Microsoft Windows NT security. Class-VP version

7.0 allows users to share information securely and control instrumentation from diverse

locations.

CyberLab software Scientific Software The company has enhanced its CyberLab SmartFilter by adding filters for Agilent

Technologies’ ChemStation, PerkinElmer’s TurboChrom, Shimadzu’s chromatography datahandling

products, and Varian’s Saturn MS and Star workstation files. The software stores,

organizes, and protects raw data, laboratory reports, and compliance records in either

Oracle or SQL server databases. This web-based application helps facilitate 21 CFR Part 11

compliance.

Diamir version 1.4 software JMBS This new version of the Diamir chromatography data system introduces instrument control for

Agilent Technologies, PerkinElmer, ThermoQuest, Varian, and Waters GC and HPLC systems.

The software is 21 CFR Part 11 compliant and includes audit trail, electronic signature,

password aging, and password similarity check features.

EZChrom Elite version 2.8 Scientific Software The latest update to this chromatography data system software adds control of several gas

chromatography data system

chromatographs, including Varian’s models 8400 and 8410 gas chromatographs. The

software is fully 21 CFR Part 11 compliant and is available in either stand-alone or

client–server configurations. The software’s user interface, calibration, system-suitability

routines have been enhanced as well. It now can read and reprocess 2-D Agilent

ChemStation files. The system’s automation interface provides increased user-interface

customization and enhanced calculations.

Lab Solutions software Shimadzu Software for the company’s GC–MS and LC–MS systems is designed for customized

applications, and it enables the use of programmable scanning and selective-ion monitoring

modes in the same run. It offers complete control of the setup and operation of the

company’s GC-17a gas chromatograph, QP-5000 series mass spectrometers, and associated

autosamplers. The software runs in one window for setup, control, and acquisition of data,

as well as for data processing. Lab Solutions GC–MS software is a Microsoft Windows 95, 98,

and NT-based, multitasking program. It is fully compliant with good laboratory practice

requirements.

LabManager iLIMS LIMS Beckman Coulter This LIMS upgrade enables users to access the system from an Internet web browser or a

client–server interface. The system is a native Oracle8 application for sample, test, and data

management on a Microsoft Windows NT/2000 or Hewlett-Packard HP 9000 server.

LIMS Link CDS interface Labtronics This chromatography data system–to–LIMS interface software package transfers passwordprotected

data, performs unit conversions and custom calculations, checks range limits, and

complies with 21 CFR Part 11 standards. The system communicates bidirectionally to gather

data and upload work lists.

Pinnacle 1.1 software Beckman Coulter A new version of the company’s Pinnacle software includes electronic signature, electronic

record, and system suitability capabilities that help meet the requirements of 21 CFR Part 11.

The software maintains a full document audit trail and supports secure authorizations of

specific document creation–modification actions.

Scientific Data Management NuGenesis This web-enabled, application-independent scientific data-management system automatically

System version 5.0

captures, unifies, catalogs, and stores raw laboratory data and printable electronic files into

a central repository for management, sharing, and reusing. The system comprises several

application-independent modules including NuGenesis Vision reporting software, Unify for

processed data capture, and Archive for raw data archiving. The product is 21 CFR Part 11

compliant.

Sombrilla instrument- and PerkinElmer The Sombrilla system is a web-based instrument- and data-management system that allows

data-management system

laboratory users to share data electronically and enables remote access to instrument datahandling

functionality. The WebConnector and WebEnabler components allow multiple

users to access analysis results and use instruments’ data-handling software through a secure

web interface.

TotalChrom 6.2 PerkinElmer The latest version of PerkinElmer’s client–server chromatography data-handling system,

chromatography

formerly known as TurboChrom, includes 21 CFR Part 11 compliance and a new TC Publisher

data-handling system

tool for data analysis, report generation, and distribution to the company’s Intelligent

interfaces and Link modules for instrument control and data acquisition. A TC Database

component provides cataloging and data querying tools, as well as access to

chromatography data from the TotalChrom system for auditing, reprocessing, and research

using Oracle and NuGenesis technologies.

496 LCGC VOLUME 19 NUMBER 5 MAY 2001 www.chromatographyonline.com

Oracle8 application database. Scientific

Data Management System version 5.0 software

from NuGenesis automatically captures,

unifies, and catalogs raw data as well

as printable files into a central repository

where they are available for access through

a web browser. PerkinElmer debuted its

Sombrilla system, which allows laboratory

users to share data and remotely access

instrument data-handling functions

through a web interface. Also from

PerkinElmer, TotalChrom 6.2 is the latest

update and name change for the company’s

TurboChrom workstation and client–server

chromatography data-handling system.

The new version is 21 CFR Part 11 compliant

and includes a publishing tool for

report generation and distribution and a

database component for cataloging and

analysis.

Conclusion

This year’s Pittcon was no exception to

previous years’ conferences. Despite a

slightly lower attendance than last year,

companies displayed just as many varied

and creative new products related to GC.

In the major instrument arena, a trend

toward providing application-specific solu-

tions continues in combination with a

move in the direction of instruments that

are simpler to operate and maintain. Chromatography

software is spreading over the

Internet as more companies add Internet

capabilities and find answers for the

accompanying security concerns. Products

in element-specific and spectrometric

detection dominate that sector, and inlets

and automation accessories seem to be

driven by needs for increasingly automated

sample preparation and injection. Overall,

GC continues to play a very significant

role in today’s analytical laboratories.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank the manufacturers

who kindly completed the survey questionnaire

and submitted their information

before the Pittsburgh Conference, as well

as those who generously provided additional

information at the conference. It

would have been impossible to produce

this report without their cooperation.

References

(1) R.E. Majors, LCGC 19(3), 272–288 (2001).

(2) R.E. Majors, LCGC 19(4), 368–382 (2001).

John V. Hinshaw

“GC Connections”

editor John V. Hinshaw

is president and

principal consultant

at ChromSource,

Franklin, Tennessee,

and a member of

LCGC’s editorial advisory

board. Direct

correspondence

about this column to “GC Connections,” LCGC,

859 Willamette Street, Eugene, OR 97401,

e-mail lcgcedit@lcgcmag.com.

For an ongoing discussion of GC issues with

John Hinshaw and other chromatographers,

visit the Chromatography Forum discussion

group at http://www.chromforum.com.

Erratum

Equation 9 in the April 2000 installment

of “GC Connections” (John V. Hinshaw,

“Basic GC Measurements and Calculations,”

LCGC 18[4], 390 [2000]) is

incorrect. The following is the correct

equation:

H min 5 d c

1 1 6k 1 11k 2

12 1 1 k 2

[9]

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