Separation of nitrogen, oxygen, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and water by gas chromatography

Abstract

The temperature programmed gas chromatography in one column was examined as a new method for the simultaneous separation of nitrogen, oxygen, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and water. When the common carrier gas was used for this technique, some ghost peaks were appeared during the temperature raising process from -50°C to 220°C. It was supposed to be due to the impurities, such as nitrogen, oxygen and water in carrier gas, which were identified from their peaks by mass spectrometry. This problem was avoided by removing using a molecular sieve trap in the carrier gas line before its supply to the sample. Operating parameters to complete the separation were as follows; Column: φ 4.0 mm, L 4.0 m, glass column packed with Porapak QS; temperature raising rate: Programmed from to -50°C to 0°C at 6°C/min, and from 0°C to 220°C at 10°C/min; carrier gas: helium, 30 ml/min.