There are many different types of gas chromatographs available, and while they all have certain features that are different, the primary operation and design is similar. They will all have an easy to use control panel and readout. Some of the models are portable and easy to take into the field. The controls tend to be even simpler, and the results tend to come relatively quickly.

This is a complex piece of machinery, but some models have relatively simple inputs and readouts. The user will inject their sample solution into the device. At that point, the sample will enter a gas stream, which brings it into the separation tube, called a column. The carrier gas in the unit will generally be either nitrogen or helium. The components of the sample will then separate in the column. A detector measures the quantity of the components that go out of the column.

A gas chromatograph is capable of separating and analyzing compounds that are capable of being vaporized without decompression. They are then able to separate those compounds based on their specific boiling points. Some of the other common terms in use for this machine is gas-liquid partition chromatograph and vapor phase chromatograph. They are in use in many labs and have a variety of uses. They are quite common in high tech forensic labs.

A device that sorts and analyzes to test purity of and identify compounds.

• Forensic science
• Solid drug dose identification
• Arson investigation
• Paint chip analysis
• Toxicology
• Analytical chemistry

• Agilent
• APIX
• Bruker
• Buck Scientific
• GenTech
• Inrag
• LECO
• JEOL
• Parker Balston
• Simadzu
• Waters