AUTOMATED STATIC HEADSPACE SAMPLER FOR GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY

A new automated static headspace thermal desorption system is describe d. This system allows for total control of the autosampler-gas chromat ographic system, analog to digital conversion and data storage, prepur ge functions to eliminate cross sample contamination and multiple mode s of sample delivery. The system's ease of gas flow valve control and timing allows for optimal manipulation of carrier and headspace improv ing resolution. Larger-scale data acquisition and digital-to-analog co ntrol of the autosampler functions are discussed. System performance i s illustrated using biological and environmental samples. The system's qualitative and quantitative performance was examined using statistic al measures of retention time data and standard error for analyte resp onses.