DIY Chromatograph

[marcusviniciusufsj]

Hello everybody.
I would love to use an Arduino module to build a chromatography system.
It could be liquid or gas chromatography, I just want to be able to use it in my university's laboratory.
I've been researching some basic systems and I can't decide if I use arduino sensors and assemble the whole system with arduino parts (I don't think it would be so accurate and reliable)
Or you could use old chromatography equipment modules and integrate them using arduino. the problem is that they are very expensive and unfortunately me and Brazilian science are not in excellent financial condition to purchase the modules.
I don't know if there are specific sites for old scientific equipment with better prices than ebay, do you know?
Can you help me with any tips?

[larkl]

Try here ...https://www.labx.com/

You could build a constant pressure chromatograph using good pressure regulators for the column flow. That way you do not need the EPC modules to run in constant flow mode. Commercial chromatographs were sold this way for years. With a decent pressure controller and a capillary column to provide pressure drop, it'll work.

What kind of detection technology? TCD is arguably the simplest. You'd need to find the detector and control board.

The next challenge are the temperature control zones (oven, inlet, detector).

Personally, I'd try to find a old HP 5890 that (hopefully) still powers up and has a TCD detector. Then decide how you want to use your arduino to replace as much of the electronics as you can.

Years ago, we called on a supplier and they were running GCs they built out of plywood with incandescent bulbs in the oven for heat. They were testing and shipping commercial quantities of product using these. They had purchased the control board for the TCD and were acquiring the data analog. (everything was analog back then)