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TCD Analysis of ppm levels of ammonia
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:22 pm
by bgrasmeder
I need to analyze a 500ppm ammonia in nitrogen balance gas. I saw that Restek makes a column for doing such an analysis (RTX Volitile ammine column) but I don't have the time to wait for the column to come in. I also saw that a packed column with a mix of PEG and NaOH or KOH may work, but again, that seems like a custom column and I don't have the time. We had some information that a PLOT column may work, but we experienced extreme tailing and any effort to sharpen the peak moved it too close to the nitrogen peak. Any other thoughts on how to do this analysis?
Re: TCD Analysis of ppm levels of ammonia
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:46 pm
by chromatographer1
Try a porous polymer packed column if you have any.
Or try any carbon based support packed column.
Use largest injection volume you can.
Stay away from all silicone based phases and polymers.
best wishes,
Rod
Re: TCD Analysis of ppm levels of ammonia
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 1:48 pm
by bgrasmeder
Thanks Rod. We have some pourous polymer columns and have a bunch of carboblack columns. Certainly worth a try.
Re: TCD Analysis of ppm levels of ammonia
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 5:22 pm
by AICMM
Try Chrom 103. Ammonia is pretty sticky on this column and may elute late enough from the nitrogen to get good quantitation.
Best regards,
AICMM
Re: TCD Analysis of ppm levels of ammonia
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 5:39 pm
by chromatographer1
Chromosorb 103 and Hayesep B are better for ammonia than most of the other polymers.
Rod
Re: TCD Analysis of ppm levels of ammonia
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 6:31 pm
by bgrasmeder
That's great stuff. I really appreciate the responses. We wound up doing the analysis on FTIR - couldn't wait to develop methods on the GC. But this will help in the future and give us flexibility for future analyses. Thank you again!
Bob.