The current lecture focuses on optimizing the rapid analysis of gas chromatography (GC). The use of narrow-bore columns, supported by the Golay equation, facilitates swift separation. By maintaining a very high phase ratio (β), the impact of resistance to mass transfer in the liquid phase on band broadening becomes negligible and can be disregarded. Under these conditions, the minimum plate height at the optimum linear velocity approaches the value of the column diameter.
These optimized parameters for selecting experimental conditions are designed for the speedy analysis of diverse matrices. This approach allows the separation of components in less than two minutes, while preserving the same resolution as a conventional GC analysis lasting approximately 50 minutes. The quantitative results obtained are in good agreement with each other. Additionally, the coupling of fast GC with MS enables the acquisition of interference-free MS spectra, which are easier to compare with those of standard components. This is attributed to the minimal bleeding of capillary columns used in fast GC analysis, thanks to their very thin film of stationary phase.
