GC for both FID and MS

[JMcK]

We are considering purchasing a used Agilent 5973N MSD to be used with our current 7890, which has FID detection. It seems to me that there will be issues switching between FID and MSD. I expect there to be plumbing issues as well. Can anyone advise regarding the use of a single GC for both FID and MSD? Thanks,
John

[MSCHemist]

Do you have two injectors? If so just hook one to the MSD and one to the FID. We need more info. Are you using the two simultaneously or do you have 1 inlet and 1 column you want to switch off. THere are capillary systems for either situation.

[JMcK]

MSCHemist, Thanks for your reply. The GC currently has standard configuration for 7890, two injection ports, two columns, two FIDs. It's driven by Agilent Chemstation OpenLab. I am not planning to run FID MS simultaneously. I could dedicate the front column to one detector, such as FID, and the back to the other, MS. Will this cause plumbing difficulties, or software issues? Thanks in advance for your help.

[MSCHemist]

Nope there is no issue having the MS on one inlet and the FID on the other. The EPC's, gas supply, split vents are separate. It is like having two GC's only sharing an oven.

Keep in mind that when you have 2 columns don't put a wax and a db-1 column or any two columns with vastly different temperature maximums and run the oven past the max temperature of one while performing a method with the other. Also make sure a method for one doesn't shut off the detector or gas flow for the other.

[JMcK]

Thanks for your help. This will help in the decision process.