<p><strong>Join us for a free two-day LECO Separation Science Workshop on September 23–24, 2026, at the </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/companies/219"><strong>C³AL Laboratory</strong></a><strong> at Cal State LA. Registration is free, and meals and refreshments will be provided throughout the workshop.&nbsp;</strong></p><h4><strong>Registration</strong></h4><blockquote><p class="cke-user_style-important"><strong>👉</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=iYeNbqIuykW7qZP4_jUEVbznDB40eK1PgjPzhHyb__9URTFTTFA5UEEzQ1A4MUtFV0o4TEJTNlZCOS4u&amp;route=shorturl"><strong>Register HERE</strong></a></p><p class="cke-user_style-important"><strong>Space is limited, register today!</strong></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/LECO_LECO_Separation_Science_Workshop_registration_332543a18e.jpg" alt="LECO: LECO Separation Science Workshop - QR code for registration" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_LECO_LECO_Separation_Science_Workshop_registration_332543a18e.jpg 156w," sizes="100vw" width="437" height="437"></p></blockquote><h4><strong>Hand-on Experience with the LECO Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab C<sup>3</sup>AL</strong></h4><ul><li>Work directly with LECO instruments in the C<sup>3</sup>AL Laboratory</li><li>Learn complete analytical workflows from sample to answer</li><li>Get expert guidance from LECO application scientists</li><li>Develop methods and solve real-world challenges</li><li>Collaborate, ask questions, and build your skills</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Cal_State_LA_The_LECO_Pegasus_BTX_system_in_Cal_State_LA_s_LECO_Complex_Chemical_Compositional_Analysis_Lab_enhances_research_and_student_training_in_advanced_chemical_analysis_cover_b739e727ca.jpg" alt="Cal State LA: The LECO Pegasus BTX system in Cal State LA’s LECO Complex Chemical Compositional Analysis Lab enhances research and student training in advanced chemical analysis" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Cal_State_LA_The_LECO_Pegasus_BTX_system_in_Cal_State_LA_s_LECO_Complex_Chemical_Compositional_Analysis_Lab_enhances_research_and_student_training_in_advanced_chemical_analysis_cover_b739e727ca.jpg 227w," sizes="100vw" width="1252" height="863"></p><p>The first day will focus on the <strong>fundamentals and theory</strong> of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (<strong>GC×GC</strong>), with an emphasis on understanding how GC×GC can enhance your research, solve complex analytical challenges, and support your laboratory or company goals.&nbsp;</p><p>The second day will be dedicated to <strong>hands-on activities</strong>, giving participants the opportunity to work directly with <strong>LECO instrumentation</strong>, learn <strong>practical analytical workflows</strong>, and <strong>analyze their own samples</strong> with guidance from LECO application scientists.&nbsp;</p><p>Whether you are new to GC×GC or looking to expand its use in your research or organization, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn, explore, and apply the technology in a practical setting. Space is limited, so register early!</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Cal_State_LA_LECO_QUADJET_G_Cx_GC_coupled_to_Pegasus_BT_4_D_TOM_MS_in_the_Complex_Chemical_Composition_Analysis_Lab_C_AL_077a14ae34/Cal-State-LA-LECO-QUADJET-GCxGC-coupled-to-Pegasus-BT-4D-TOM-MS-in-the-Complex-Chemical-Composition-Analysis-Lab-(CAL).jpg" alt="Cal State LA: LECO QUADJET GCxGC coupled to Pegasus BT 4D TOM MS in the Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab (C³AL)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Cal_State_LA_LECO_QUADJET_G_Cx_GC_coupled_to_Pegasus_BT_4_D_TOM_MS_in_the_Complex_Chemical_Composition_Analysis_Lab_C_AL_077a14ae34/thumbnail_Cal-State-LA-LECO-QUADJET-GCxGC-coupled-to-Pegasus-BT-4D-TOM-MS-in-the-Complex-Chemical-Composition-Analysis-Lab-(CAL).jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1949" height="1299"></p>

LECO Separation Science Workshop

<p><strong>Injecting water into a gas chromatography (GC) system has always raised concerns for analysts. Many wonder if water will damage their </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products?category=7&amp;manufacturerItems=50"><strong>GC column</strong></a><strong> or instrument. In fact, one of the most common questions in gas chromatography water analysis is whether aqueous samples can be safely introduced without compromising results.</strong></p><p>Selecting the right GC column for water analysis and following proper injection techniques can minimize the risk of column damage and maintain reliable analytical results.</p><h3><strong>Why Water Injections Are Risky in GC</strong></h3><p>Water injections in gas chromatography columns are risky due to the following reasons:</p><h4><strong>Backflash Issues</strong></h4><p>Water expands significantly when vaporized at high inlet temperatures (e.g., 250–300 °C). If the expansion volume exceeds the inlet liner capacity, backflash can occur. This contaminates injector parts, leaving residues that cause ghost peaks, carryover, sample loss, and elevated baselines, ultimately reducing reproducibility and accuracy.</p><h4><strong>Stationary Phase Degradation</strong></h4><p>As a highly polar solvent, water can hydrogen bond with stationary phase polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or wax phases. Repeated exposure alters selectivity, shifts retention times, and may increase bleed in non-crosslinked phases. While older immobilized PEG phases are especially vulnerable, modern chemically bonded and crosslinked stationary phases offer improved resistance, making them more suitable to inject up to 100% water samples.</p><h4><strong>Incomplete Vaporization</strong></h4><p>Water’s high boiling point and poor wetting of non-polar stationary phases can result in incomplete vaporization. This may lead to peak splitting, band broadening, or reduced sensitivity. For this reason, injection settings need to be finely adjusted to avoid these effects.</p><h4><strong>Detector Issue</strong></h4><p>Standard GC detectors do not directly detect water. Excess water injected into a flame ionization detector (FID) can quench or even extinguish the flame, while moisture in an electron capture detector (ECD) can interfere with electron capture efficiency, suppressing signals or causing false responses.</p><h3><strong>Choosing the Right GC Columns for Water-Containing Samples</strong></h3><p>Here are some strategies that can help you increase the life of GC columns when analyzing water-containing samples.</p><ul><li><strong>Use of cross-linked phases:</strong> Modern stationary phase design has greatly improved tolerance to water injections in GC. Cross-linking chemically bonds the stationary phase to the silica surface, making it far more resistant to leaching or washout from polar solvents. Traditionally immobilized but not cross-linked phases were much more vulnerable to degradation. For example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) phases are inherently hydrophilic and prone to water damage unless cross-linked. With technologies such as engineered self-crosslinking (ESC), used in Phenomenex <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/1571"><strong>Zebron ZB-WAXplus GC columns</strong></a>, PEG phases can withstand repeated water injections without significant loss of efficiency.</li><li><strong>Use of non-polar columns:</strong> Non-polar bonded and cross-linked columns (e.g., PDMS phases) are inherently resistant to water damage, though incomplete vaporization may still affect peak quality.</li></ul><h3><strong>Tips to Protect Your GC System from Water Damage</strong></h3><p>Implementing a few key tips can help protect your GC system from water damage. Here are some of the important recommendations:</p><ul><li><strong>Keep injections small:</strong> Limit water injections to ≤0.2 µL to minimize backflash and protect the stationary phase.</li><li><strong>Select the right liner:</strong> Use an appropriately sized inlet liner (e.g., 4.0 mm ID tapered or with a double gooseneck) to reduce backflash. A deactivated glass wool plug can promote rapid vaporization, though it may not be suitable for all analytes.</li><li><strong>Reduce syringe carryover:</strong> Rinse syringes with a 50:50 methanol–water mixture between injections. In some methods, preparing samples with a small percentage of methanol can improve reproducibility and syringe performance.</li><li>Optimize solvent and injector conditions: Limit water injections to ≤0.2 µL to minimize backflash and protect the stationary phase.</li><li><strong>Adjust carrier gas conditions:</strong> Ensure your <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/article/5538"><strong>gas chromatography injector setup</strong></a> is correct to prevent water buildup. Combining water with a lower-expansion solvent (e.g., methanol) and maintaining an optimized injector temperature helps improve vaporization while limiting expansion.</li><li><strong>Maintain a clean carrier gas supply:</strong> Replace gas cylinders before they are nearly empty to avoid backflow or moisture intrusion into the system<br>While injecting water into a GC system is not simple and ideal, it can be managed safely with the right precautions. By choosing the appropriate stationary phase, following proper GC injector setup, and maintaining your instrument, you can conduct gas chromatography water analysis with confidence. For more information on GC hardware and maintenance, explore the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.phenomenex.com/resources/knowledge-center/gc-knowledge-center/understanding-the-essential-components-of-gas-chromatography"><strong>key parts of a GC instrument</strong></a>.</li></ul>

Water Injections in GC: Is it Safe?

<p><strong>Gas chromatography (GC) is a widely used analytical technique across industries for separating and analyzing complex mixtures. Even with premium equipment and optimized methods, analytical problems can emerge. Many laboratories encounter issues such as peak tailing, resolution loss, or signal degradation without a systematic approach for diagnosing them. These problems frequently originate from a critical component: the GC column.</strong></p><p>Proper column maintenance and troubleshooting skills are essential for ensuring accurate data and consistent analytical runs. GC troubleshooting guide provides actionable solutions to common gas chromatography problems, serving as a comprehensive resource to help minimize downtime and maintain analytical quality.</p><h3><strong>Common GC Column Issues and What They Mean?</strong></h3><p>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products?category=7&amp;manufacturerItems=50"><strong>GC column</strong></a> plays a central role in chromatographic separation. When the column issues arise, data integrity is often compromised. Understanding the common problems is the first step in effective troubleshooting in gas chromatography.</p><h4><strong>Peak Tailing</strong></h4><p>Peak tailing occurs when chromatographic peaks lose symmetry and gradually extend toward the baseline. This phenomenon typically arises due to:</p><ul><li>Active sites within the system (residual silanol groups)</li><li>Insufficiently deactivated inlet liners</li><li>Column overloading</li></ul><p>Tailing hinders quantitation accuracy and reduces separation efficiency between closely eluting analytes. Remedial steps include trimming the column inlet, replacing liners, or adjusting the sample load.</p><h4><strong>Loss of Resolution</strong></h4><p>Poor separation between adjacent peaks, often resulting in partial or complete peak overlap, indicates resolution loss. Common causes include:</p><ul><li>Column aging</li><li>Suboptimal temperature programming</li><li>Inadequate carrier gas flow rates</li></ul><p>When resolution decreases, reliable analyte identification becomes challenging. Adjustments to temperature gradient and carrier gas pressure may help restore performance; if improvements are not observed, trimming or replacing the column may be necessary.</p><h4><strong>Ghost Peaks</strong></h4><p>Ghost peaks are unexpected signals that appear even during blank injections. These anomalies typically result from system contamination, septum bleed, or sample carryover from previous analyses. They can compromise data integrity and mask true analyte peaks.</p><p>Effective mitigation includes replacing the septum, thoroughly cleaning or replacing inlet liners, and confirming solvent purity. A clean system should yield no peaks during a blank run.</p><h4><strong>Baseline Noise or Drift</strong></h4><p>Unstable baselines can obscure low-level signals and reduce signal-to-noise ratios.</p><ul><li>Potential causes include detector instability, leaks, or the use of impure carrier gases.</li></ul><p>Resolution involves leak detection, maintenance or replacement of detector components, and ensuring the use of ultra-high purity gases equipped with appropriate moisture and hydrocarbon traps.</p><h4><strong>Decreased Sensitivity</strong></h4><p>Diminished detector response, particularly for trace-level analytes, indicates sensitivity issues. This issue often stems from inlet contamination, detector fouling, or degradation of the column. Maintenance actions should include cleaning or replacing the inlet liner, inspecting the detector, and running a performance test mix.</p><h4><strong>Retention Time Shifts</strong></h4><p>Inconsistent elution times lead to unreliable analyte identification. Shifts can result from unstable oven temperatures, fluctuations in carrier gas flow, or pressure inconsistencies.</p><p>Troubleshooting involves verifying temperature program stability, inspecting leaks and confirming flow rates with a calibrated flow meter. These issues are widely recognized in chromatographic literature and underscore the importance of proactive monitoring and maintenance to uphold system performance and data quality.</p><h4><strong>A Step-by-Step GC Troubleshooting Guide</strong></h4><p>The following troubleshooting process can reduce both time and unnecessary expenses. The five-step guide below outlines a systematic approach to isolating and resolving common gas chromatography issues.</p><h4><strong>Step 1: Evaluate Recent Methods or Hardware Modifications</strong></h4><p>Operational issues frequently follow changes in method parameters or instrument configuration. Alterations such as switching columns, adjusting injection conditions, or modifying the temperature program can introduce new variables.</p><p>Recommended action: Review recent updates to the method or instrument setup. Reverting to a previous configuration may quickly resolve the problem.</p><h4><strong>Step 2: Examine the Inlet and Detector Conditions</strong></h4><p>Contamination is a leading cause of chromatographic anomalies. Accumulation of particles from degraded septa, residues in inlet liners, or buildup within the detector can negatively impact peak shape and baseline stability.</p><p>Recommended action: Inspect the septum, inlet liner, and detector for contamination or wear. Perform routine cleaning and replace parts as needed to maintain system integrity.</p><h4><strong>Step 3: Inspect Column Installation and Physical Condition</strong></h4><p>Incorrect column installation may result in leaks or dead volume, while non-volatile materials often accumulate at the inlet end over time.</p><p>Recommended action: Check both ends of the column for signs of discoloration or damage. Trim 10–30 cm from the inlet if residue is visible and confirm that the column is installed at the proper depth and without mechanical strain.</p><h4><strong>Step 4: Perform ank Run or Analyze a Standard Test Mix</strong></h4><p>Diagnostic runs are valuable for identifying contamination and assessing column performance. Blank injections can reveal ghost peaks, while standard test mixtures provide insight into resolution, retention time accuracy, and peak symmetry.</p><p>Recommended action: Compare test results to the column’s original quality control report to detect performance degradation.</p><h4><strong>Step 5: Replace Suspected Faulty Components</strong></h4><p>If previous steps do not resolve the issue, begin systematically replacing components, starting with consumables.</p><p>Recommended action: Replace low-cost parts such as septa, liners, or O-rings before considering column or detector replacement. A logical, stepwise replacement approach ensures efficiency and prevents the unnecessary disposal of functional components.</p><p>By following these GC troubleshooting guides, common sources of error in gas chromatography can be isolated more effectively, leading to quicker resolutions and sustained instrument performance.</p><h3><strong>Preventive Maintenance Tips for GC Columns</strong></h3><p>Implementing routine maintenance procedures is essential for preserving the performance of gas chromatography (GC) systems and extending the operational lifespan of GC columns. The following best practices serve as foundational elements in effective column care.</p><h4><strong>Ensure Proper Column Storage</strong></h4><p>Columns not in active use should be stored with both ends securely capped to prevent contamination. Storage conditions must be clean, dry, and temperature controlled. Exposure to ambient moisture or air can lead to degradation of the stationary phase and compromise column longevity.</p><h4><strong>Utilize Guard Columns and Inlet Liners</strong></h4><p>Guard columns act as protective barriers, intercepting contaminants before they reach the analytical column. Similarly, inlet liners help to trap particulates and prevent the buildup of non-volatile sample residues within the system.</p><p>Regular replacement of guard columns and liners is recommended, especially when analyzing complex or heavily matrix-laden samples.</p><h4><strong>Perform Periodic Trimming</strong></h4><p>The column’s inlet end is most prone to contamination from sample residues and non-volatile materials. Routine trimming of a few centimeters can significantly restore performance and improve peak quality.</p><h4><strong>Conduct Regular Leak Checks and Replace Septa</strong></h4><p>Leaks can introduce oxygen and moisture—both of which are detrimental to column health. Routine leak detection using appropriate tools is advised, along with scheduled septa replacement.</p><p>Signs such as discoloration, cracking, or deformation of the septum after repeated injections indicate that replacement is due.</p><h4><strong>Use Clean Carrier Gas</strong></h4><p>The purity of the carrier gas plays a crucial role in protecting both the column and detector. It is imperative to use ultra-high purity gases equipped with moisture and hydrocarbon traps to prevent contamination.</p><p>Research, including work by Grob and Barry (2004), has demonstrated that gas cleanliness is especially important in trace-level and GC-MS applications, where even minor impurities can lead to significant analytical errors.</p><p>By following these preventive maintenance strategies, GC users can maintain stable performance, reduce unplanned downtime, and ensure consistent data quality across analyses.</p><h3><strong>When to Replace your GC Column</strong></h3><p>Recognizing the end of a GC column’s life is essential for maintaining data quality and system reliability. Performance trends often indicate when a column is near failure. Common signs include persistent peak tailing or broadening - even after trimming - along with inconsistent or shifting retention times.</p><p>A noticeable increase in baseline noise or bleed, reduced resolution despite maintenance, and recurring ghost peaks or unstable baselines are all indicators that the column is no longer performing optimally.</p><p>Physically, discoloration or damage to the inlet end of the column suggests contamination buildup, often caused by dirty samples or reactive compounds. While trimming can temporarily restore performance, repeated issues signal that full replacement is likely needed.</p><p>When selecting a new column, it is important to match the specifications - stationary phase, length, internal diameter, and film thickness - to maintain consistency. High-quality options like Zebron GC columns from Phenomenex offer reliable durability and performance across a wide range of applications, supported by comprehensive <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.phenomenex.com/techniques/improved-performance">Zebron GC troubleshooting resources</a> to help users optimize their results and resolve issues quickly.</p>

GC Columns - Troubleshooting & Maintenance

<p><strong>TL;DR: Helium prices have roughly doubled since the Iran conflict began in early 2026, with global supply from Qatar — responsible for approximately one-third of world production — severely disrupted. For laboratories running gas chromatography and other helium-dependent instruments, the financial and operational impact is impossible to ignore.</strong></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Organomation_The_Helium_Crisis_Is_Here_Why_Laboratories_Should_Switch_to_Hydrogen_Now_695ff1ef1a.jpg" alt="Organomation: The Helium Crisis Is Here: Why Laboratories Should Switch to Hydrogen Now" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Organomation_The_Helium_Crisis_Is_Here_Why_Laboratories_Should_Switch_to_Hydrogen_Now_695ff1ef1a.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1000" height="608"></p><h3><strong>Part 1: The Helium Price Crisis — What Happened and Why It Matters to Your Lab</strong></h3><h4><strong>A Perfect Storm in the Helium Market</strong></h4><p>Helium has never been a cheap commodity, but what laboratories are facing in 2026 represents a genuine inflection point. The combination of escalating Middle East conflict, Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions, and structural supply constraints has created the most severe helium pricing environment in recent memory — one that shows no sign of rapid reversal.</p><p>To understand why laboratory budgets are under pressure, it helps to understand where helium actually comes from. Unlike most industrial gases, helium cannot be manufactured. It is a byproduct of radioactive decay deep within the Earth's crust, and it must be captured from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://businessanalytiq.com/procurementanalytics/index/helium-price-index/"><strong>natural gas deposits </strong></a>before it escapes into the atmosphere. The practical result is that the entire world's commercial helium supply flows from a small number of producing regions — most critically, the United States and Qatar.</p><h4><strong>Qatar: The World's Helium Chokepoint</strong></h4><p>Qatar is responsible for approximately <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/price-forecast/helium-price-trends"><strong>one-third of global helium production</strong></a>, channeled through QatarEnergy LNG's massive purification facility at Ras Laffan Industrial City, which draws from the North Field — the world's largest non-associated natural gas reservoir. When this facility operates normally, it is the single largest stabilizing force in the global helium market. When it is disrupted, the entire world feels it.</p><p>In early 2026, it stopped operating normally. Iranian missile strikes damaged key industrial infrastructure in Qatar, and the resulting disruption to Ras Laffan created an immediate supply shock. Compounding the damage, the Strait of Hormuz — the critical shipping corridor through which Qatari LNG and helium exports must pass — became subject to elevated war-risk premiums and logistical disruptions that pushed shipping costs sharply higher.</p><h4><strong>Beyond Price: The Supply Reliability Problem</strong></h4><p>For laboratory managers, the helium crisis is not merely a budget problem — it is an operational continuity problem. A laboratory that cannot obtain helium cannot run its gas chromatography (GC) instruments, cannot perform MRI maintenance or calibration, and cannot complete analytical work that clients and researchers depend upon.</p><p>Supply allocation tightening, spot market shortages, and delays at ports serving Middle Eastern shipping lanes have created a new reality: even laboratories with long-term supply contracts have experienced <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.procurementresource.com/resource-center/helium-price-trends"><strong>delivery disruptions</strong></a>. The gas that was once ordered and reliably delivered within a predictable lead time now arrives subject to geopolitical delays entirely outside the laboratory's control.</p><p>This represents a fundamental shift in risk exposure for laboratory operations. Helium's value to a laboratory was always its combination of technical performance and reliable availability. The second pillar of that value proposition has been significantly eroded.</p><h4><strong>Who Is Most Affected in the Laboratory Setting?</strong></h4><p>While the helium price surge affects any organization that uses the gas, laboratories face a particularly acute version of the problem for several reasons:</p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products?category=98&amp;manufacturerItems=540"><strong>GC carrier gas</strong></a><strong> consumption: </strong>Gas chromatography is one of the largest industrial uses of high-purity helium. Analytical laboratories running continuous GC workflows — environmental testing, pharmaceutical QC, food safety, petrochemical analysis — consume helium at a high, predictable rate. When the price of that gas doubles, it represents a direct and substantial increase in the variable cost of every single analytical run.</li><li><strong>No short-term substitution:</strong> Unlike some industrial uses where helium can be temporarily swapped for another gas, GC methods are validated for specific carrier gases. Switching requires revalidation — a time-consuming, resource-intensive process that cannot be completed in response to an acute supply disruption.</li><li><strong>Contractual and regulatory obligations: </strong>Laboratories operating under accreditation, client contracts, or regulatory frameworks face potential non-compliance consequences if supply disruptions prevent them from completing required analyses. The cost of a helium shortage extends far beyond the gas itself.</li></ul><h3><strong>Part 2: The Strategic Case for Switching to Hydrogen — and Installing a Generator</strong></h3><h4><strong>Hydrogen as a Carrier Gas: The Science Is Already Settled</strong></h4><p>The argument for<strong> </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/hydrogen-generators-for-chromatography"><strong>hydrogen as a GC carrier gas</strong></a><strong> </strong>is not new, and it is not driven solely by economics. For many applications, hydrogen is technically superior to helium. Its higher diffusivity in the column results in faster analyte movement, enabling shorter run times and higher throughput without loss of resolution. The van Deemter curve for hydrogen is flatter over a wider range of flow rates, giving analysts more operating flexibility.</p><p>The US EPA, the European pharmacopoeias, and numerous international standards bodies have long recognized hydrogen as an acceptable — and in some cases preferred — carrier gas for GC methods. Chromatography column and instrument manufacturers including Agilent, Shimadzu, PerkinElmer, and Thermo Fisher have published detailed application notes and validated methods for hydrogen carrier gas, often demonstrating equivalent or improved performance relative to helium.</p><p><strong>In short:</strong> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/transitioning-from-helium-to-hydrogen-what-you-need-to-know"><strong>switching from helium to hydrogen</strong></a><strong> </strong>for GC is not an experimental or unproven step. It is a well-established, widely validated practice that thousands of laboratories around the world have already completed. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/helium-prices-surge-400-to-record-highs-as-global-supply-shortage-persist-in-the-rise-of-ai"><strong>current pricing environment</strong></a><strong> </strong>simply makes the decision more urgent — and the financial case more compelling — than it has ever been before.</p><h4><strong>Why Cylinders Are Not the Answer</strong></h4><p>It might be tempting to view the hydrogen transition simply as swapping one gas cylinder supplier for another. This approach misunderstands both the nature of the problem and the opportunity. Hydrogen delivered in cylinders carries its own logistical challenges: cylinder handling and storage requirements, regular delivery schedules, the same kind of supply chain dependencies that have proven so costly with helium, and — critically — safety considerations around the storage of high-pressure hydrogen in laboratory spaces.</p><p>The correct solution, adopted by the most forward-thinking laboratory managers, is to install an on-site hydrogen generator. This single decision transforms the laboratory's gas supply from a variable, externally-dependent cost into a stable, internally-controlled utility — analogous to the difference between buying bottled water and installing a purified water system.</p><h4><strong>The Hydrogen Generator Advantage: Six Reasons to Make the Switch</strong></h4><h5><strong>1. Complete Supply Independence</strong></h5><p>A hydrogen generator produces gas on demand from deionized water using electrolysis. There is no supply chain to be disrupted by conflict in the Middle East. There is no shipping container to be delayed at a port. There is no cylinder to run out mid-run. The laboratory's hydrogen supply is as reliable as its electricity supply — and in most facilities, that is extremely reliable.</p><p>For laboratory managers who have spent the past year managing helium allocation anxiety, explaining supply disruptions to clients, and rescheduling analytical work around delivery delays, this represents a profound operational upgrade.</p><h5><strong>2. Long-Term Cost Predictability and Savings</strong></h5><p>Hydrogen generators produce gas at a cost primarily determined by electricity consumption. Electricity prices, while subject to some variation, are dramatically more stable than helium spot markets and are not subject to geopolitical disruptions of the kind that have driven helium prices to double in a matter of months.</p><p>The total cost of ownership analysis for hydrogen generation versus helium cylinder purchase — factoring in current helium pricing, cylinder rental fees, delivery charges, and handling costs — now firmly favors hydrogen generation for any laboratory running one or more GC instruments full-time. With helium prices having doubled since the onset of the Iran conflict, the payback period for a generator investment has shortened significantly.</p><h5><strong>3. Superior Gas Purity and Consistency</strong></h5><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products?category=98&amp;manufacturerItems=540"><strong>Modern hydrogen generators </strong></a>produce gas at <strong>purities of 99.9999% or higher </strong>— exceeding the purity specifications required for the most demanding analytical GC applications. Critically, this purity is consistent from the first milliliter of gas produced to the last. There is no batch-to-batch variation, no risk of receiving a cylinder with a contamination issue, and no requirement to test incoming gas quality.</p><p>For laboratories operating under strict quality systems — ISO 17025, GMP, EPA method compliance — the shift to a generator can actually improve data quality and simplify the supplier qualification burden associated with managing a rotating roster of gas cylinder suppliers.</p><h5><strong>4. Improved Laboratory Safety Profile</strong></h5><p>Hydrogen requires appropriate safety management — adequate ventilation, hydrogen-compatible fittings, and basic leak detection protocols. These requirements are straightforward and well-understood, and are entirely manageable in a standard analytical laboratory environment. Modern hydrogen generators include integrated safety systems including automatic shutdown on leak detection, pressure limiting, and fail-safe electronics.</p><p>What is often overlooked is that a hydrogen generator improves overall laboratory safety relative to the cylinder-based alternative by eliminating the need to store and handle high-pressure compressed gas cylinders. The generator contains only a small volume of hydrogen at any given time — far less than a standard gas cylinder — and delivers it directly to the instrument through short, fixed lines.</p><h5><strong>5. Environmental and Sustainability Benefits</strong></h5><p>Helium extraction is an energy-intensive industrial process. The gas must be separated from natural gas streams, compressed, liquefied, and transported globally — often by sea freight from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://businessanalytiq.com/procurementanalytics/index/helium-price-index/"><strong>Qatar or the United States</strong></a>. Each step in that chain carries an environmental cost.</p><p>Hydrogen generation from water electrolysis has a fundamentally different environmental profile, particularly for laboratories that operate in facilities with access to renewable electricity. As laboratory sustainability programs become an increasing priority — driven by institutional ESG commitments, client expectations, and regulatory trends — the ability to point to an on-site, low-carbon gas supply is a meaningful differentiator.</p><h5><strong>6. Future-Proofing Against Ongoing Helium Market Instability</strong></h5><p>The current price spike is not an anomaly that will self-correct quickly. The structural conditions driving helium price increases — concentrated supply in geopolitically exposed regions, growing demand from semiconductor manufacturing and MRI imaging, the irreversibility of atmospheric helium loss once released — are not going away. New supply projects in South Africa, Canada, and elsewhere will add capacity over the medium term,but forecasters broadly expect helium pricing to remain elevated relative to historical norms.</p><p>A laboratory that installs a hydrogen generator today is not just solving the 2026 problem. It is making a strategic decision that positions the organization to be independent of whatever the next helium supply shock looks like.</p><p><strong>At a Glance: Helium Cylinder vs. On-Site Hydrogen Generation</strong></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Organomation_The_Helium_Crisis_Is_Here_Why_Laboratories_Should_Switch_to_Hydrogen_Now_2_77969fd7aa.jpg" alt="Organomation: The Helium Crisis Is Here: Why Laboratories Should Switch to Hydrogen Now" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Organomation_The_Helium_Crisis_Is_Here_Why_Laboratories_Should_Switch_to_Hydrogen_Now_2_77969fd7aa.jpg 209w," sizes="100vw" width="1007" height="750"></p><h4><strong>How Organomation Supports Your Transition to Hydrogen</strong></h4><p>At Organomation, we have been supporting analytical laboratories with precision gas handling and concentration equipment for over six decades. We understand that the decision to transition carrier gases is not made lightly — it involves instrument requalification, method validation, staff training, and procurement changes that require planning and support.</p><p>Our team, in combination with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://claind.it/"><strong>Claind srl</strong></a>, can assist laboratories at every stage of the hydrogen transition: from initial feasibility assessment and instrument compatibility review, through gas flow optimization and generator sizing, to ongoing technical support after installation. We work with the leading hydrogen generator manufacturers and can help you specify the right system for your instrument fleet and throughput requirements.</p><p>The current helium pricing environment has created a narrow window in which laboratories that act decisively will establish a structural cost and reliability advantage over those that continue to absorb rising helium costs. We invite you to start that conversation with us today.</p><p>Contact the Organomation team to schedule a complimentary laboratory gas assessment and begin your transition to on-site hydrogen generation. Visit organomation.com or call us to speak with an applications specialist.</p><h4><strong>The Moment to Act Is Now</strong></h4><p>The helium crisis of 2026 is not a temporary inconvenience — it is a structural realignment of the global gas supply market, accelerated by a geopolitical conflict whose resolution timeline remains uncertain. Laboratories that approach this as a passing disruption to be absorbed through budget adjustments are likely to find themselves absorbing those costs indefinitely.</p><p>The case for switching to hydrogen carrier gas and installing an on-site hydrogen generator has never been more compelling. The technology is proven, the performance is validated, the safety is manageable, and the economics — already favorable before the current price surge — are now overwhelmingly advantageous.</p><p>The laboratories that will emerge from this crisis in the strongest position are those that use it as the catalyst to make a change they should have made years ago. The question is no longer whether to make the switch — it is how quickly you can do it.</p>

The Helium Crisis Is Here: Why Laboratories Should Switch to Hydrogen Now

Separation Sciences in the Czech Republic: From Historical Foundations to Recent Advances

<p><strong>This study presents a robust GC-MS method for direct detection and quantification of hydrogen in complex gas mixtures using electron ionization without dopants, reagent gases, or ion–molecule reactions. A modified EI source combined with a cryogenically cooled single capillary column achieved baseline separation of hydrogen from permanent gases and hydrocarbons in refinery gas while using helium as the carrier gas.</strong></p><p>The method demonstrated high sensitivity, linearity, and reproducibility across trace- and percent-level hydrogen concentrations. By simultaneously profiling other gas components in a single run, the approach simplifies conventional multi-column workflows and extends GC-MS capabilities for hydrogen analysis in complex industrial gas mixtures.</p><blockquote><h4><strong>The original article</strong></h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/ancham/article/98/26/19493/5200102/Hydrogen-Analysis-by-Gas-Chromatography-Mass#247324328"><strong>Hydrogen Analysis by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry&nbsp;</strong></a></h4><p>Vladislav V. Lobodin* ; Yensil Park; Charles E. A. Finney</p><p>Anal. Chem. (2026) 98 (26): 19493–19499.</p><div><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.6c00257">https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.6c00257</a></div><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"><strong>CC-BY 4.0</strong></a></h6></blockquote><p><strong>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.</strong></p><div><div><div><div><p>Hydrogen analysis in complex gas mixtures, including permanent gases, and volatile and semivolatile organic and inorganic compounds, is crucial for optimizing hydrogen production, storage and use, and ensuring reliability across diverse applications. Accurate hydrogen analysis underpins production and distribution processes such as steam methane reforming, gasification, and electrolysis, helping maintain purity and quality throughout the supply chain. (<a href="javascript:;">1</a>) Reliable hydrogen measurements are also critical for fuel cell power generation, where automotive manufacturers and fueling stations must meet strict fuel quality standards to ensure safety and performance. (<a href="javascript:;">2, 3</a>) Hydrogen is a flammable, colorless, and odorless gas that poses significant hazards in air at levels between 4 and 74%. (<a href="javascript:;">4, 5</a>)</p></div><div><p>Many industrial processes, including chemicals and petrochemicals, steel manufacturing, glass production, and electronics, depend on precise hydrogen measurements for process control, quality assurance, and energy efficiency. (<a href="javascript:;">6−9</a>) Beyond these established uses, hydrogen analysis plays a vital role in energy storage, power generation, and utilization as a fuel for transportation and grid applications (e.g., power-to-gas and sustainable integration), with monitoring required to maintain the integrity and safety of stored and injected hydrogen. (<a href="javascript:;">10, 11</a>) It is also essential for environmental monitoring, including leak detection, emissions control, (<a href="javascript:;">5, 12</a>) and geological exploration of natural hydrogen sources. (<a href="javascript:;">13−15</a>) In the aerospace industry, hydrogen analysis ensures its safe handling and optimal performance of hydrogen as a fuel or propellant. (<a href="javascript:;">16−18</a>) In addition, forensic studies also rely on hydrogen measurements to provide critical evidence in criminal investigations and legal cases. (<a href="javascript:;">19, 20</a>)</p></div><div><p>A GC coupled to thermal conductivity detector (TCD) continues to be a common method of choice for hydrogen analysis despite the detector limitations. (<a href="javascript:;">21, 22</a>) However, the use of helium as a carrier gas, despite being the most popular choice, results in complications with a TCD because the thermal conductivity for hydrogen and helium is very close and hydrogen produces a relatively low and nonlinear response. To avoid the hydrogen–helium interference, argon or nitrogen is used as the carrier gas with a TCD. However, the use of those gases compromises chromatographic resolution, significantly reduces sensitivity for the other compounds by a factor of ∼10, and can interfere with the detection of other analytes.</p></div><div><p>Besides a TCD, a helium ionization detector (HID) and an atomic emission detector (AED) are utilized by coupling to a GC to analyze hydrogen. (<a href="javascript:;">23, 24</a>) As in the case of a TCD, these detectors suffer from limitations and more importantly are not informative enough for identification of unknown chromatographic peaks during the hydrogen production development. Raman spectroscopy can detect low hydrogen concentrations but suffers from low sensitivity, complex setups, and long measurement times. Commercial systems have high detection limits and reduced precision over time, limiting practicality for dynamic or in-line applications. (<a href="javascript:;">25, 26</a>)</p></div><div><p>In contrast, GC coupled to MS serves as a powerful tool for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of various compound mixtures. (<a href="javascript:;">27</a>) Nonetheless, it has been reported that GC–MS faces challenges due to the difficulties of detecting lighter gases relative to the carrier gas (<a href="javascript:;">28, 29</a>) and direct EI in the absence of a dopant and ion–molecule reactions has been considered an impossible task. (<a href="javascript:;">29</a>)</p></div><div><p>Chromatographic analysis of hydrogen typically involved a dual-column setup to effectively separate it from other gases like O<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>, CO, CO<sub>2</sub>, CH<sub>4</sub>, and various volatile hydrocarbons. These setups often used packed columns or molecular sieves PLOT columns, which additionally necessitated a particle trap on the detector side to block sorbent particles from entering the mass spectrometer’s ion source. (<a href="javascript:;">30, 31</a>)</p></div><div><p>In the present study, we report the development of a novel method for hydrogen analysis that employs direct EI of hydrogen and a simplified column configuration with a single capillary column. This approach is capable of detecting hydrogen across a broad concentration range, including trace levels in complex matrices. Importantly, our method also delivers compositional information for other gases in a single run, which can provide valuable context for many applications, thereby providing a significant advancement in hydrogen analysis methodology.</p><h4><strong>Experimental Part</strong></h4><p>The development of the method for hydrogen analysis was conducted with a GC–MS instrument employing an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7890B"><strong>Agilent 7890B GC</strong></a> system and an <strong>Agilent </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=5977B"><strong>5977B mass spectrometer</strong></a> (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA). The GC system was modified with a <strong>liquid N<sub>2</sub> cryogenic valve kit (Agilent G3466A) </strong>to enable operation at low temperatures and liquid N<sub>2</sub> (supplied from a Dewar) was used to cool the GC oven. Chromatography-grade helium with a purity of 99.9999% from Airgas (Radnor, PA) additionally passed through a helium purifier trap (model RMSH-2) from Agilent Technologies at a flow rate of 2.0 mL·min<sup>–1</sup> was used as a carrier gas. The gas chromatograph inlet temperature was set to 200 <span>°</span>C. The GC oven temperature was programmed to hold at −80 <span>°</span>C for 2 min, subsequently ramped to 260 <span>°</span>C at 20 <span>°</span>C·min<sup>–1</sup>, and then held for 17 min. The transfer line was kept at 260 <span>°</span>C. A GS-GASPRO GC column (60 m long, 320 μm ID) from Agilent Technologies was used for chromatographic separation. The ion source was held at 230 <span>°</span>C. The EI ion source was modified by replacing a standard (350 G) magnet with a low-gauss magnet (220 G) assembly (Agilent part: G3163-60560). The hydrogen tune macros were procured from Diablo Analytical (Antioch, CA) and are described elsewhere. (<a href="javascript:;">32</a>) Both selected ion monitoring (SIM) and scan modes (recorded as a total ion chromatogram [TIC]) were utilized for detection of hydrogen and other gases. In particular, hydrogen detection was performed using SIM mode at a mass-to-charge ratio (<i>m</i>/<i>z</i>) of 2.</p><h4><strong>Results and Discussion</strong></h4><div><p>Here, we describe the development of a new hydrogen analysis approach that utilizes direct EI and selective detection at <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 2. Because the conventional EI source magnetic field is optimized to confine and focus electrons for ionization of species with <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> ≥ 10, this configuration is suboptimal for hydrogen, resulting in limited ionization efficiency and inefficient extraction of low-mass ions. The modification of the EI ion source with a low-gauss magnet is necessary to improve the formation and detection of H<sub>2</sub><sup>+</sup> ions. Reduction of the magnetic field strength decreases confinement of ionizing electrons emitted by the filament, thereby increasing the effective interaction volume and residence time of electrons with hydrogen molecules and enhancing ionization probability. In addition, the reduced magnetic field mitigates discrimination against low-mass ions during extraction and transmission into the mass analyzer. Collectively, these effects enhance sensitivity for H<sub>2</sub> detection under EI conditions, eliminating the need for chemical ionization or indirect detection strategies.</p></div><div><p>In addition to the specialized hardware, custom low-mass optimization tune macros are required to achieve reliable sensitivity. We used tune macros from a hydrogen detection kit developed for Agilent MSD instruments that had been converted into standalone RGA-type mass analyzers. (<a href="javascript:;">32</a>) The tuning and mass-calibration procedure began with a low-mass autotune (lomass.u), followed by a helium optimization tune that used the helium carrier gas flowing through the column into the ion source as the tuning mixture. The optimization tune adjusts key ion–optics parameters, including repeller voltage, ion focus, electron energy, emission current, and entrance lens offset to maximize the response at <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 4. Additionally, ions at <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 69, 131, and 219 from the instrument’s calibration compound (PFTBA) were used to calibrate the mass axis, adjust the electron multiplier voltage, and set appropriate peak widths.</p><div><p>The mass spectrometry detection method involved simultaneous acquisition in SIM mode at <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 2 for hydrogen detection, and scan mode (at 2.4 scans s<sup>–1</sup>) within the range of <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 10–160 for other gases. Attempts to scan from <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 1.6 to 160 and subsequently extract the ion chromatogram at <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 2 resulted in a significantly lower signal response for hydrogen detection. Detection of hydrogen in SIM mode at <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 2 significantly improves the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and detection limit. The dwell time (the time during which the quadrupole is set at <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 2) was adjusted to 100 ms to enhance sensitivity. The high-resolution quadrupole settings (with peak width of 0.5 <i>m</i>/<i>z</i>) further improved S/N ratio by a factor of 2.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Anal_Chem_2026_98_26_19493_19499_Figure_1_GC_MS_analysis_of_hydrogen_standard_gas_mixtures_9439c835f2.jpg" alt="Anal. Chem. (2026) 98 (26): 19493–19499: Figure 1. GC–MS analysis of hydrogen standard gas mixtures. Upper figures show scans from m/z = 10–160, and lower figures show detection at m/z = 2. Left: 5% (50000 ppm) H2. Right: 5000 ppm of H2. Nitrogen is a balance gas." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Anal_Chem_2026_98_26_19493_19499_Figure_1_GC_MS_analysis_of_hydrogen_standard_gas_mixtures_9439c835f2.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1022"></p></div><div><p>Standalone mass spectrometers (without GC) are often employed as RGAs, including for hydrogen detection. However, the absence of chromatographic separation limits reliable hydrogen quantification and comprehensive characterization of other species in a mixture. Furthermore, quadrupole mass spectrometers, commonly used both as RGAs and in GC–MS configurations, are subject to the “zero-blast” effect. (<a href="javascript:;">35</a>) This occurs when low DC voltage and RF amplitudes at low <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> are insufficient to prevent heavier ions from reaching the detector, leading to false signals in the low <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> range up to <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 4, even in the absence of corresponding low molecular weight analytes such as H<sub>2</sub> or He. (<a href="javascript:;">36</a>) The “zero-blast” effect is particularly noticeable when measuring low levels of hydrogen amidst significantly higher concentrations of heavier gases, e.g., N<sub>2</sub>, O<sub>2</sub>, CO, Ar, CO<sub>2</sub>, H<sub>2</sub>O, hydrocarbons. This interference, which fluctuates constantly, makes the detection and resolution of hydrogen peaks at <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 2 highly challenging. <a href="javascript:;">Figure 1</a> shows the GC–MS analysis of two standard gas mixtures containing 50000 and 5000 ppm hydrogen with nitrogen as the balance gas. The injected sample volume was 250 μL, and the split ratio was 20:1. The upper plots display total ion chromatograms for the mass range <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 10–160, where the peak at 4.1 min corresponds to N<sub>2</sub>. The lower plots show extracted ion chromatograms at <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 2, where the peak at 3.4 min represents H<sub>2</sub>, while the peak at 4.1 min, matching the nitrogen elution time, is a false signal caused by the “zero-blast” effect. This interference is especially pronounced at lower hydrogen concentrations and would significantly affect quantitation in the absence of chromatographic resolution. By separating hydrogen into a distinct chromatographic peak with GC–MS, the “zero-blast” interference can be minimized. Therefore, efficient chromatographic separation of hydrogen from other gases is essential for reliable detection and quantification.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Anal_Chem_2026_98_26_19493_19499_Figure_4_GC_MS_analysis_of_refinery_gas_mixture_2977041c4b.jpg" alt="Anal. Chem. (2026) 98 (26): 19493–19499: Figure 4. GC–MS analysis of refinery gas mixture. Top. TIC for m/z = 10–160. Bottom. SIM at m/z = 2." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Anal_Chem_2026_98_26_19493_19499_Figure_4_GC_MS_analysis_of_refinery_gas_mixture_2977041c4b.jpg 226w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1104"></p><p><a href="javascript:;">Figure 4</a> presents the gas chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric detection of a refinery gas test mixture using a combined scan (<i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 10–160) and SIM (<i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 2) acquisition mode. The total ion chromatogram (top panel) demonstrates excellent baseline separation of all major permanent gases and hydrocarbons, including O<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>, CO, CH<sub>4</sub>, CO<sub>2</sub>, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>, propane, propylene, <i>n</i>-butane, iso-butane, and various C<sub>5</sub> isomers. Notably, even isobaric species such as N<sub>2</sub>, CO, and C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>, each with nominal mass of 28 Da, are fully resolved chromatographically, enabling accurate identification and quantitation despite their identical molecular weights.</p><p>The SIM trace at <i>m</i>/<i>z</i> = 2 (bottom panel) highlights the selective detection of hydrogen. One of the most critical regions for hydrogen separation is between 2 and 7 min, where H<sub>2</sub> elutes well before O<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>, CO, and CH<sub>4</sub>. This complete chromatographic resolution effectively eliminates interference from the quadrupole “zero-blast” effect and suppresses false low-mass signals that typically arise from high concentrations of heavier gases, thereby ensuring reliable and interference-free quantitation of hydrogen. The combination of efficient separation and SIM-based detection provides a robust analytical platform for accurate measurement of hydrogen in complex gas mixtures.</p></div></div><h4><strong>Conclusions</strong></h4><p>We successfully developed and validated a robust GC–MS method capable of directly detecting and quantifying hydrogen using EI without the need for dopants, reagent gases, or ion–molecule reaction schemes traditionally required for low-mass. By integrating specialized low-mass tuning procedures, a modified EI source, and a cryogenically cooled single-capillary column, we achieved efficient baseline chromatographic separation of hydrogen from other permanent gases, hydrocarbons, and isobaric species in complex gas mixtures. This separation was essential to eliminate false low-mass signals originating from the quadrupole “zero-blast” effect, and provided accurate, interference-free hydrogen quantitation. The method demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity across more than 3 orders of magnitude concentration ranges from 5 to 5000 ppm, with excellent linearity (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.9999). The combination of adjustable sample-loop volumes and tunable split ratios allowed optimization of peak shape and signal-to-noise performance for both trace-level and percent-level hydrogen concentrations. Triplicate analyses showed exceptional reproducibility, with variability below 1%, confirming suitability of the sampling approach for reliable quantitative analysis. Importantly, this approach provides simultaneous compositional information for a wide range of gases in a single analytical run, enabling comprehensive characterization of complex mixtures. This capability is particularly valuable for hydrogen production, storage, fuel-quality monitoring, geologic hydrogen exploration, industrial process control, safety and forensic applications, and environmental assessments where hydrogen must be measured alongside a panel of other gases.</p></div></div></div></div>

Hydrogen Analysis by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

<p><strong>In the week of August 24, the following webinars await you in the field of gas / solid phase and especially Raman, FTIR, GC and GC/MS.</strong></p><blockquote><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/webinars"><strong>👉 DETAILS AND REGISTRATION IN THE WEBINARS SECTION</strong></a></h4><p><strong>👉 Search and filter in the largest global database</strong> with over <strong>5 500 GC, LC, MS and spectroscopy webinars</strong>.</p></blockquote><h5><strong>1. Thermo Fisher Scientific: From legacy to leading edge: unlock more uptime, throughput, and confidence with modern GC-MS technology</strong></h5><ul><li>Tu, 25.8.2026 11:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6457">Registration</a></li></ul><p>Discover how upgrading legacy GC-MS systems to the Thermo Scientific ISQ 7610 GC-MS and TSQ 9610 GC-MS/MS can improve performance, simplify maintenance, and reduce operating costs.</p><h5><strong>2. Waters Corporation: Foundations of a Sustainable, High-Performing QA Program</strong></h5><ul><li>We, 26.8.2026 17:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6448">Registration</a></li></ul><p>Build a sustainable, high-performing QA program in your lab. Learn the four pillars of data quality: method validation, analyst competency, control charting, and certified reference materials.</p>

Webinars LabRulezGCMS Week 35/2026

<h3><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.isc2026.org/"><strong>ISC 2026</strong></a></h3><p><strong>The </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/314"><strong>International Symposium on Chromatography (ISC)</strong></a><strong> represents the oldest conference series on separation science. ISC symposia have been organised since 1956 in each even year. ISC is one of the premier meetings series for discussion of all modes of chromatography and separation science with a broad coverage of techniques and applications.</strong></p><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/events/644"><strong>35th International Symposium on Chromatography</strong></a></h4><p>📆<strong>6. - 10. September 2026</strong></p><p>📍<strong>Prague, Czech Republic</strong></p><h3><strong>Registration</strong></h3><blockquote><p class="cke-user_style-important"><strong>👉</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.czech-in.org/cmPortalV15/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2FcmPortalV15%2FPortal%2FISC26%2Fnormal"><strong>Register HERE for the ISC 2026</strong></a></p><p><strong>Late Registration until 25 August 2026!</strong></p><p><strong>From 26 August 2026 only Onsite Registration.</strong></p></blockquote><h4><strong>Publishing Workshop</strong></h4><ul><li>Wednesday, 9 September 2026&nbsp;</li><li>12:30–14:00&nbsp;</li></ul><p>This interactive workshop will provide practical guidance on scientific publishing in the field of separation science. Participants will have the opportunity to hear directly from journal editors about key aspects of the publication process and how to improve their chances of successful publication.</p><p>Topics will include <strong>manuscript preparation, peer review</strong>, <strong>editorial decision-making, open access publishing</strong>, and the responsible <strong>use of artificial intelligence in scientific publishing</strong>. Editors will share insights into what they look for in submissions, common reasons for rejection, and strategies for preparing strong manuscripts. The workshop will also cover selected Wiley-specific topics, including the publisher’s submission platform and current guidelines on the use of AI in scientific publications.</p><p>The session will include opportunities for questions and discussion, allowing participants to interact directly with editors and gain valuable advice for their future publishing activities.</p><h5><strong>Attending Editors-in-Chief:</strong></h5><ul><li><strong>Michael Lämmerhofer</strong> — Journal of Separation Science and Separation Science Plus&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Sebastiaan Eeltink</strong> — Analytical Science Advances&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Mario Thevis</strong> — Drug Testing &amp; Analysis&nbsp;</li></ul>

Publishing Workshop at ISC 2026

<p><strong>We are excited to announce that the 18th MDCW will take place from January 25-27, 2027, in Liège, Belgium. This in-person event will feature:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Keynote presentations</strong> from leading researchers</li><li><strong>Flash talks and poster sessions</strong> highlighting the latest innovations</li><li><strong>Focus group discussions</strong> addressing current challenges and future developments</li><li>💸<strong>FREE registration </strong>ensures that this event remains accessible to all researchers, students, and industry professionals interested in multidimensional chromatography. ​​We hope to see you there!</li></ul><h3><strong>Registration</strong></h3><blockquote><p class="cke-user_style-important"><strong>👉</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/auth?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fapp.oxfordabstracts.com%2Fregister%2Fevent%2F77272%3Fpreview%3Dfalse"><strong>Register HERE</strong></a></p><p><strong>Registration deadline: December 1, 2026</strong></p></blockquote><h3><strong>Abstract Submission</strong></h3><p>Abstracts for <strong>oral presentations</strong> must be submitted by <strong>September 15, 2026</strong>, to be considered.</p><p><strong>​Poster abstracts</strong> submitted by <strong>September 15, 2026</strong>, will be included in the <strong>preliminary program</strong>. Additional <strong>last-minute poster submissions </strong>will be accepted until <strong>November 30, 2026</strong>, for inclusion in the final program.</p><blockquote><p class="cke-user_style-important">👉<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/auth?redirect=/stages/81780/submitter"><strong>Submit your abstract HERE</strong></a></p><p><strong>&nbsp;Deadline for abstract submission: September 15, 2026</strong></p></blockquote><h4><strong>Presentation guidelines</strong></h4><h5><strong>Poster Presentations</strong></h5><ul><li><strong>Presenters must print and bring their own posters</strong>—onsite printing services and mailed submissions are not available.</li><li>Posters should be in <strong>landscape format: 36" tall × 48" wide</strong>.</li><li>Set up your poster <strong>during registration</strong> on the day of your assigned session and remove it at the <strong>end of the same day</strong>.</li><li>Poster presenters <strong>must</strong> be present at their posters during the designated poster session.</li><li>Posters will also be available for viewing <strong>during coffee and lunch breaks</strong>.</li><li>Presenters may optionally stand by their posters during these times for further discussions.</li></ul><h5><strong>Oral Presentations</strong></h5><ul><li><strong>Keynote presentations: </strong>30 minutes (25–28 min + Q&amp;A)</li><li><strong>Full oral presentations: </strong>20 minutes (18 min + 2 min Q&amp;A)</li><li><strong>Flash presentations: </strong>10 minutes (8 min + 2 min Q&amp;A)</li></ul><p><strong>Presentation Format:</strong></p><ul><li>Submit your slides as a <strong>PowerPoint (PPT)</strong> file (.ppt or .pptx).</li><li>Name your file with program code and surname, e.g. "O-28 Smith.pptx".</li><li>For optimal display, use <strong>16:9 slide format </strong>(4:3 is also supported).</li></ul><p><strong>Technical &amp; Session Logistics:</strong></p><ul><li>A <strong>headset or portable microphone</strong> will be available.</li><li>A <strong>laser pointer with a slide change button</strong> will be provided.</li><li>Ensure your presentation allows time for <strong>questions</strong> within your allocated time.</li><li><strong>Before your session</strong>, check in and introduce yourself to the conference or session chairs.</li></ul><h3><strong>Program</strong></h3><h4><strong>Keynote Speakers</strong></h4><h5><strong>Finding Clarity in Challenging Samples: Multiple Heart-Cutting 2D-LC and the Technologies That Enable It &nbsp; &nbsp;</strong></h5><ul><li>Stephan Buckenmaier (Principal Scientist R&amp;D, Agilent Technologies)</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_Stephan_Buckenmaier_c84239ec30.jpg" alt="MDCW: Stephan Buckenmaier" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_Stephan_Buckenmaier_c84239ec30.jpg 151w," sizes="100vw" width="284" height="294"></p><p>Stephan Buckenmaier is a Principal Scientist in R&amp;D at Agilent Technologies, specializing in advanced separation science and the development of two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) solutions. Since joining Agilent in 2006, he has held a variety of scientific and technical roles, with a particular focus on innovative chromatographic technologies. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of the West of England (Bristol, UK) and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Tübingen. Stephan has authored numerous scientific publications, contributed a book chapter, and is listed as an inventor on numerous patents in the field of separation science. He regularly presents his work at international scientific conferences.</p><h4><strong>Short Course</strong></h4><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/18th_MDCW_short_course_41ecd3c6cf.jpg" alt="18th MDCW: Short course" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_18th_MDCW_short_course_41ecd3c6cf.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1100" height="619"></p><p>There will be <strong>20 spaces available</strong> in a short course related to multidimensional chromatography. If you want to register for the short course, indicate so during your registration. We will send a separate link to pay for the short course to reserve your seat (<strong>$50 USD</strong>).&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>A Beginner’s Guide to Multidimensional Chromatography short course</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Instructors:</strong> Pierre-Hugues Stefanuto, Katelynn Perrault Uptmor, Dwight Stoll, Petr Vozka</li></ul><h5><strong>Course Description&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>So...you want to do multidimensional chromatography? If you are getting started in the field using either liquid or gas chromatography, you’re in the right place. This course will cover a brief history and introduction to both multidimensional gas chromatography and multidimensional liquid chromatography. Discussion will also include basic system components and data handling strategies to apply after acquiring your data. A hands-on portion of the course will also include familiarization with common system components and consumables for both GC and LC, as well as the opportunity to use a commercial GC×GC instrument.</p><h5><strong>Target Participants&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>This course is intended to be an initial touchpoint for those who are looking to explore multidimensional chromatography as a new option/capability, or who might be using it for the first time. The course is intended for new users to obtain a background on the techniques as a primer to the workshop. &nbsp;Advanced topics will not be discussed.</p><h5><strong>Course Logistics&nbsp;</strong></h5><ul><li>Morning Session (8:30 AM – 12:00 PM)</li><li>Afternoon Session (1:00 PM – 4:30 PM)</li></ul><p><strong>Lunch and coffee will be provided.</strong></p><h5><strong>Cost&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>A <strong>$50 fee</strong> is required to reserve a spot in the course. <strong>20 seats are available</strong>. An expression of interest form will be available to indicate interest in a seat within the course. On November 10th, participants will be informed about seat availability and the payment process will be communicated.</p><h4><strong>Outline (Total Time ~ 4 hrs)&nbsp;</strong></h4><h5><strong>Part I (1 hr) – History, Terminology, Fundamental Concepts&nbsp;</strong></h5><ul><li>Brief history of the development of multidimensional separations&nbsp;</li><li>Terminology&nbsp;</li><li>Fundamental Concepts&nbsp;<ul><li>In what ways are multidimensional separations useful for analytical chemistry / measurement science?&nbsp;</li><li>First and second separations should be orthogonal / complementary&nbsp;</li><li>Fast second dimension separations are important to avoid undersampling&nbsp;</li><li>Structured chromatograms can provide chemical insight and facilitate data interpretation&nbsp;</li><li>Highlights of an example data processing workflow – from raw data to actionable information &nbsp;</li></ul></li><li>Break (30 min)&nbsp;</li></ul><h5><strong>Part II (1.5 hrs) Introduction to Multidimensional Gas Chromatography&nbsp;</strong></h5><ul><li>Method basics&nbsp;<ul><li>Column selection&nbsp;</li><li>Method parameters&nbsp;</li><li>Carrier gas choices&nbsp;</li><li>Detector considerations&nbsp;</li></ul></li><li>Modulator selection with a focus on current market options&nbsp;<ul><li>Thermal modulators&nbsp;</li><li>Flow modulators&nbsp;</li><li>Other commercial options&nbsp;</li></ul></li><li>Method development made simple&nbsp;</li><li>Data preprocessing and initial handling&nbsp;</li><li>Lunch (1 hr)&nbsp;</li></ul><h5><strong>Part III (1 hr) Introduction to Multidimensional Liquid Chromatography&nbsp;</strong></h5><ul><li>Modes of multidimensional separation commonly used with LC&nbsp;<ul><li>Heartcut&nbsp;</li><li>Multiple heartcut / selective comprehensive&nbsp;</li><li>Fully comprehensive&nbsp;</li></ul></li><li>Interfaces used for multidimensional LC (i.e., the hardware that does the transfer from first to second dimension)&nbsp;</li><li>Common use cases of multidimensional LC illustrated using examples from industry and academic research&nbsp;<ul><li>Evaluating peak purity&nbsp;</li><li>Unknown identification via multidimensional and MS or NMR detection&nbsp;</li><li>Multi-stage separation with analyte transformation between stages&nbsp;</li><li>Multi-attribute methods&nbsp;</li><li>Making complete analysis of moderately complex samples attainable in a reasonable analysis time&nbsp;</li><li>Digging deeper – comprehensive separations for comprehensive analysis&nbsp;<br>Introduction to method development strategies&nbsp;</li></ul></li></ul><h5><strong>Part IV (2 hrs) Laboratory Instrument Familiarization</strong></h5><h5><strong>Part V (30 min) Wrap-up and Q&amp;A &nbsp;</strong></h5><h4><strong>Venue</strong></h4><ul><li>University of Liege</li><li>Pl. du Vingt Août 7</li><li>4000 Liège</li><li>​Belgium</li><li><strong>​Main Room:</strong> Salle Academique</li></ul>

18th MDCW - Registration and abstract submission opens

<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 24th August 2026? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezICPMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you application notes by <strong>Shimadzu, Thermo Fisher Scientific </strong>and <strong>Waters Corporation </strong>and poster by<strong> MDCW / GC Image!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. MDCW / GC Image: Alignment and Filtering Tools for Enhanced Differencing of Two-Dimensional Chromatograms</strong></h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/pdf/P_21_Wu_3838638ea4.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><section><div><div><div><div><div><div><h5><strong>Challenges&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>Chromatogram-like visual differencing is intuitive, yet simple pixel-to-pixel subtraction often produces noisy artifacts, fails to correct retention-time shifts, and can obscure low-intensity but meaningful differences.&nbsp;</p><p>Previously, we developed comparative visualization methods [1] based on classic image-comparison techniques, including:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Alignment with specialized color maps to visually highlight discrepancies between chromatograms&nbsp;</li><li>Interactive matching across two chromatograms [2], enabling both qualitative and quantitative side-by-side assessment at the individual-peak level&nbsp;</li></ul><p>We extend this work by presenting a more robust chromatogram differencing visualization method designed to overcome these limitations</p><h4><strong>Example 1: Alignment for Data Fusion (FID vs MS)&nbsp;</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Data Set:</strong> GCxGC data of a diesel fuel sample&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Instruments:</strong> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/gcms/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7890A"><strong>Agilent 7890A GC</strong></a>/InfoMass L10 thermal modulator/Hexin TOFMS<ul><li><strong>Detectors:</strong> FID (350 C, 200 Hz), MS (45-450 m/z, 50 Hz)&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Modulation:</strong> 6 seconds with programmable cold jet gas flow (15L/min to 6 L/min)</li></ul></li></ul><h4><strong>Example 2: Differencing (GC×GC-MS)&nbsp;</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Data Set: </strong>GCxGC-TOFMS data set of different dark chocolates [3].</li><li><strong>Instruments: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/gcms/library?mainauthorItems=23&amp;search=AccuTof"><strong>JEOL AccuTof GC mass spectrometer</strong></a> with an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/gcms/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7890"><strong>Agilent 7890 GC</strong></a></li></ul><h4><strong>Example 3: Differencing with BPC (LC×LC-MS)&nbsp;</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Data Set:</strong> LCxLC-MS data of different types of beer [4].&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Instruments: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/lcms/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=1290+infinity+2D-LC"><strong>Agilent 1290 Infinity 2D-LC</strong></a> solution coupled with an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/lcms/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=6530"><strong>Agilent 6530 Accurate-Mass Q-TOF LC/MS system</strong></a></li></ul><h3><strong>2. Shimadzu: Comprehensive and High-Sensitivity Analysis of Food Aroma by Simultaneous Scan/MRM Measurement Using Triple Quadrupole GC-MS/MS</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/pdf/an_01_01269_en_657ee319e0.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><h4><strong>User benefits</strong></h4><ul><li>Simultaneous scan/MRM measurement enables comprehensive search by scan measurement and high-sensitivity analysis of trace aroma compounds by MRM in a single measurement.&nbsp;</li><li>With LabSolutions Insight Explore GCMS, deconvolution analysis of scan data and target analysis of MRM data are possible in a single software program.&nbsp;</li><li>The Multi-Mode Injection Unit (MMI), which allows rapid heating, supports aroma analysis in the thermal desorption (TD) mode</li></ul><p>The “aroma” of food products and beverages is a key factor that largely determines product quality and consumer preferences, and thus is an extremely important element in product development and quality control. Since the gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS) provides excellent performance in qualitative analysis of volatile compounds, it is used to measure various aroma components that make up an odor. However, due to the diversity of aroma compounds and their wide concentration range, which extends from the ppm to the ppt order, an analytical method that allows efficient measurement of these substances is demanded.&nbsp;</p><p>Non-targeted analysis by scan measurement is an effective tool for comprehensive profiling, but in many cases, it is difficult to identify the trace components that make a significant contribution to aroma due to the limits of instrument sensitivity and matrix interference. On the other hand, although widetarget analysis by the MRM (Multiple Reaction Monitoring) mode using GC-MS/MS offers high sensitivity and selectivity for several hundred target components, MRM lacks a search capability for unknown components.</p><p>Therefore, this Application News article reports a technique that satisfies both comprehensive non-targeted search and highsensitivity detection of trace components in a single analysis by combining the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/gcms/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=8040+RX"><strong>GCMS-TQ 8040 RX</strong></a>, which supports simultaneous data acquisition in simultaneous multi-component analysis measurements by scan measurement and the MRM mode, and the Smart Aroma Database for use in aroma analysis. In addition, in this experiment, the thermal desorption (TD) mode of the Multi-Mode Injection Unit (MMI) was adopted for sample introduction. This enablesintroduction of componentstapped on the adsorbent without using a dedicated TD device, thereby achieving a simplified system configuration.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>This Application News article showed that it is possible to achieve both a comprehensive non-targeted analysis of food aroma and a high-sensitivity wide-target analysis of trace components in a single analysis, without carrying out complicated operations, by simultaneous scan/MRM measurement combining the GCMSTQ8040 RX and the Smart Aroma Database. This article also demonstrated that use of the Multi-Mode Injection Unit (MMI) enables measurements in the thermal desorption (TD) mode without using dedicated TD instrumentation, and also allows a flexible response in case of budgetary or installation space limitations. A comprehensive aroma evaluation based on this approach will facilitate the discovery of important aroma components that were easily overlooked in the past, and is expected to make important contributions to product development and quality control in the food and beverage industries.</p><h3><strong>3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Implementing EPA OTM-50 for PFAS destruction monitoring by TD-GC-MS/MS</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/pdf/an_004773_gc_td_gc_ms_epa_otm_50_pfas_an04773_na_en_99fd5fc528.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are used across a broad range of industrial and consumer applications. As PFAS-containing materials are treated or destroyed, incomplete decomposition can generate volatile fluorinated compounds, including short-chain and ultra-volatile species. These volatile compounds are important because they may provide evidence of incomplete mineralization once emitted from stationary sources.</p><p>EPA OTM-50 was developed to provide a consistent approach for collecting and quantitatively analyzing target VFCs from emissions originating from known industrial products with incomplete thermal destruction. The EPA method uses passivated stainlesssteel canisters followed by GC-MS analysis and is applicable to gas samples collected from industrial source ducts, vents, stacks, and related emission points.&nbsp;</p><p>The method is performance-based, allowing laboratories flexibility in GC column selection, GC conditions, and MS conditions, provided that GC-MS remains the basis for separation and quantitation and the required performance criteria are met. This flexibility is important because OTM-50 analytes span a challenging volatility range and may occur in complex matrices containing CO2 , water vapor, acid gases, and other volatile organic compounds.&nbsp;</p><p>Gas chromatography-based approaches are well suited to volatile and neutral fluorinated compounds. Thermal desorption enables preconcentration of trace-level analytes from air samples, improving sensitivity and enabling detection at relevant levels for environmental studies.&nbsp;</p><p>This application note describes implementation of EPA OTM-50 using cryogen-free thermal desorption coupled to triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS. The workflow addresses key analytical challenges: trapping ultra-volatile compounds such as CF4 , managing high levels of CO2 and humidity, achieving sub-ppbv sensitivity, and maintaining repeatable quantitative performance in support of PFAS destruction monitoring.</p><h4><strong>Experimental&nbsp;</strong></h4><h5><strong>Instrument configuration&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>The analytical system consisted of a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/gcms/library?mainauthorItems=6&amp;search=UNITY-Kori-CIA"><strong>Markes UNITY</strong></a><strong>-Kori-CIA Advantage HL-xr thermal desorption system</strong> coupled to a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/485"><strong>TSQ 9610 Triple Quadrupole GC-MS/MS</strong></a> equipped with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/gcms/library?mainauthorItems=3&amp;search=nevervent"><strong>Thermo Scientific™ NeverVent™ AEI Ion Source</strong></a> (Figure 1). The Markes thermal desorber configuration included cryogen-free focusing, controlled canister introduction, and water and CO2 management strategies.</p><h4><strong>Conclusions&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>This work demonstrates implementation of EPA OTM-50 using thermal desorption coupled to triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS for the analysis of volatile fluorinated compounds in air, with solutions helping to solve key analytical challenges for this type of analysis.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Alignment with EPA OTM-50 scope:</strong> supports canisterbased analysis of VFCs emitted from stationary sources, including compounds associated with incomplete PFAS destruction.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Cryogen-free preconcentration:</strong> enables practical trapping and transfer of volatile analytes without reliance on liquid cryogens, reducing operational complexity.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Improved selectivity through MS/MS: </strong>SRM acquisition on the TSQ 9610 Triple Quadrupole GC-MS/MS improves confidence in target identification and quantitation in complex emission matrices.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Dual-method strategy for broad volatility coverage:</strong> separate sample volumes for CF4 and the remaining VFCs enable analysis across the challenging OTM-50 volatility range.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>CO2 and humidity management:</strong> controlled dilution, selective trap purging, and Kori-xr water management address two of the most significant matrix challenges in stationary source emissions.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Robust quantitative performance: </strong>calibration across 0.1–100 ppbv (0.125–50 ppbv for CF4 ) showed R2 ≥ 0.998 for reported compounds or &lt; 20% RSD for Average Response Factor, with pptv MDLs and repeatability generally consistent with OTM-50 precision expectations.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Industrial relevance: </strong>the workflow supports chemical manufacturing, PFAS treatment, and waste management facilities seeking defensible data to evaluate destruction efficiency and identify products of incomplete destruction.&nbsp;</li></ul><p>Overall, the combination of Markes thermal desorption technology with the Thermo Scientific TSQ 9610 Triple Quadrupole GC-MS/MS provides a practical, selective, and robust analytical approach for laboratories implementing EPA OTM-50 for volatile PFAS and VFC monitoring in air.</p><h3><strong>4. Waters Corporation: Analysis of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Flame Retardants in Environmental Matrices Using Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization GC-MS/MS</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/pdf/720009524_en_58a948f96a.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><h4><strong>Benefits&nbsp;</strong></h4><ul><li>The performance of atmospheric pressure gas chromatography (APGC ™) on Xevo™ TQ Absolute Mass Spectrometer for the analysis of PBDEs is equal-to or better-than traditional analysis using electron impact magnetic sector making it well suited for use in the most challenging regulatory and standard methods.</li><li>The ability of APGC to tolerate high carrier gas flow helps improve method performance for the most challenging members of this class inlcuding BDE 209 which reduces the need for maintenance and reanalysis of samples.</li><li>Operator training is reduced to weeks from months through conversion of the method from a magnetic sector to tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer.</li><li>Use of a single, inexpensive, readily available gas for chromatographic separation, ionization and MS/MS fragmentation provides a simpler, more sustainable system.</li></ul><p>With the 2001 signing of the Stockholm Convention, the stage was set for global harmonization of efforts to monitor for POPs in the environment.1 By 2004, when countries began implementing the convention, measures aimed at reducing or eliminating intentional and unintentional release of POPs into the environment were supported by annexes that defined the different chemical classes of highest interest which included PBDEs. To date, 185 states plus the European Union have joined in this effort which includes requirements for monitoring for POPs in multiple environmental matrices. Because the implications of unintentional or intentional noncompliance may be subject to enforcement action, high confidence data is needed to support surveillance and reporting efforts. Furthermore, high sensitivity analysis is required due to the possibility of steadily increasing trace levels of PBDEs across years of time through transport in the environment that tends to increase concentrations of persistent organic pollutants such as these in cooler Arctic regions of the globe through the grasshopper effect.2 These requirements initially led to the development of gas chromatography electron ionization high resolution magnetic sector based analytical methods. The performance of EI GC-HRMS in the hands of a well-trained operator and a lab with rigorous quality control procedures has proven to provide the sensitivity and specificity required of the forensic data used in legal actions, for compliance reporting and for providing the greatest protection to populations and the environment.&nbsp;</p><p>However, GC-HRMS has several limitations, including extensive education and training requirements, slow acquisition speeds, and significant laboratory space demands. In contrast, more modern techniques such as tandem quadrupole (TQ) mass spectrometry (MS/MS) offer broad improvements in these areas. Additionally, limitations imposed by EI such as frequent source maintenance and shortcomings caused by carrier gases other than helium hamper this time-honored technique. The more recent combination of APCI with TQ has demonstrated promise in overcoming these limitations while providing data of equivalent confidence to EI GCHRMS.&nbsp;</p><p>After having been deployed in many labs, GC-APCI has continued to contribute to the study of PBDEs in multiple matrices and applications. An evaluation of the first generation of GC-APCI MS/MS, analyzing PBDEs in marine and food samples, reported higher response for higher brominated (Br8-10) congeners than GC-EI-HRMS.3 Later work reported GC-APCI MS/MS LODs comparable or better than EI MS/MS for plasma extracts.4 Recent work reported on the use of GC-APCI HRMS (QTof) as part of the continuation of a 20 year study analyzing aquatic organisms to evaluate environmental PBDE trends.5 In this work, 24 PBDEs plus hexabromobiphenyl were analyzed on a XevoTM TQ Absolute Tandem Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer using the APGC ionization source.</p><h4><strong>Experimental</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>GC system: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/gcms/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8890"><strong>8890 (Agilent Technologies, Inc.)&nbsp;</strong></a></li><li><strong>Column: </strong>Rtx®-1614, 15 m x 0.25 mm ID x 0.10 µm film (Restek Corporation)</li><li><strong>MS system: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/554"><strong>Xevo TQ Absolute Mass Spectrometer</strong></a></li><li><strong>Software: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/1544"><strong>waters_connect™</strong></a> for Quantitation Software</li></ul><h4><strong>Conclusions&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>An all-nitrogen configuration for APGC on Xevo TQ Absolute Mass Spectrometer was successfully applied to the analysis of PBDEs in environmental matrices by adapting a reference method previously used on magnetic sector EI GC-HRMS. All performance criteria were equal-to or better-than those typically achieved by magnetic sector which demonstrates feasibility of GC-APCI MS/MS as an alternative for the most challenging regulatory and standard analytical methods. Furthermore, the change from a vacuum source to the atmospheric ionization source makes the use of high nitrogen carrier gas flow practical which has advantages for operating cost versus helium while achieving similar chromatographic separation and sensitivity. The move to tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry from high resolution mass spectrometry updates the method for improved performance measures such as higher acquisition speeds and high specificity MS/MS while also requiring reduced training time and expertise as compared with magnetic sectors.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 35, 2026

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The Multidimensional Chromatography (MDC) Workshop draws experts in this exciting field to share and discuss their research.

The Multidimensional Chromatography Workshop

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Phenomenex is a global technology leader committed to developing novel analytical chemistry solutions that solve the separation and purification challenges of researchers in industrial, government and academic laboratories.

Phenomenex

The International Symposium on Chromatography (ISC) represents the oldest conference series focussing on separation science. ISC symposia have been organised since 1956 in each even year. ISC is internationally recognised as one of the premier meeting series for discussion of all modes of chromatography and separation science with a broad coverage of techniques and applications.

International Symposium on Chromatography - (ISC)

Organomation, founded in 1959, designs and manufactures high-quality nitrogen evaporators and extraction systems. Known for innovation and durability, their lab instruments are used globally for efficient sample preparation with strong customer support.

Organomation

In 1936, the Laboratory Equipment Company introduced the first rapid carbon determinator for the American iron and steel industry.  Today, almost 80 years later, LECO is recognized globally as a leader in the development of high-quality analytical instrumentation, mass spectrometers, comprehensive two-dimensional chromatography, metallography & optical equipment as well as consumables.

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News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 35, 2026

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18th MDCW - Registration and abstract submission opens

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Hydrogen Analysis by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Separation Sciences in the Czech Republic: From Historical Foundations to Recent Advances

Water Injections in GC: Is it Safe?

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Restek at IMSC 2026

Webinars

Modern Methods for Faster Microbial Analysis

From Legacy Workflows to Paperless Labs: Track Every Sample, Process, and Decision

Correlating Mechanical and Chemical Properties: Introduction to Rheo-Raman for Polymers