Analysis of Greenhouse Gasses by GC/MS
Poster Presentation
Prepared by P. Macek1, Z. Easton2, E. Bock3
1 - Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc. , 7102 Riverwood Dr. , Columbia, MD, 21046, United States
2 - Vitginia Tech, Department of Biological Systems Engineering 303 Seitz Hall, 155 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
3 - Virginia Tech, Department of Biological Systems Engineering 303 Seitz Hall, 155 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 804-432-8912
ABSTRACT
Greenhouse gasses are pollutants of considerable concern and are at the center of the international debate on climate change. Traditionally, these gasses have been analyzed on complex, multiple-column, multiple-detector gas chromatographs. Virginia Tech has worked with Shimadzu to develop a method for the analysis of methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide by GC/MS using a single column. The use of GC/MS systems to perform this analysis has the potential to move the analysis of greenhouse gasses from expensive, custom GC systems to standard single-quadrupole GC/MS systems that are available in most laboratories. Researchers who are reluctant to purchase a dedicated instrument for a greenhouse gas project can purchase a general-purpose instrument that has a wide variety of applications after the greenhouse gas project has been completed. Additionally, use of mass spectrometry can provide confirmation of identity of target analytes, and will assist in the identification of unknown peaks should they be present in the chromatogram.
Poster Presentation
Prepared by P. Macek1, Z. Easton2, E. Bock3
1 - Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc. , 7102 Riverwood Dr. , Columbia, MD, 21046, United States
2 - Vitginia Tech, Department of Biological Systems Engineering 303 Seitz Hall, 155 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
3 - Virginia Tech, Department of Biological Systems Engineering 303 Seitz Hall, 155 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 804-432-8912
ABSTRACT
Greenhouse gasses are pollutants of considerable concern and are at the center of the international debate on climate change. Traditionally, these gasses have been analyzed on complex, multiple-column, multiple-detector gas chromatographs. Virginia Tech has worked with Shimadzu to develop a method for the analysis of methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide by GC/MS using a single column. The use of GC/MS systems to perform this analysis has the potential to move the analysis of greenhouse gasses from expensive, custom GC systems to standard single-quadrupole GC/MS systems that are available in most laboratories. Researchers who are reluctant to purchase a dedicated instrument for a greenhouse gas project can purchase a general-purpose instrument that has a wide variety of applications after the greenhouse gas project has been completed. Additionally, use of mass spectrometry can provide confirmation of identity of target analytes, and will assist in the identification of unknown peaks should they be present in the chromatogram.
