Field portable or transferable GC for CH4 monitoring

[GeoffreyMilne]

I'm looking for a GC I can take to a remote corner of Africa to do some wetland CH4 monitoring. I'll set up a remote lab with generator so don't have to have battery powered unit though that would be nice. Seems like I'll need something with a FID detector and H2 generator for the FID and carrier gas.

I've found such an instrument through SRI, but the price seems remarkably low (~$10k for everything). Is SRI equipment reliable? Doesn't anyone else make such an instrument? Seems like most portables have TCD or PID detectors that don't give very good results for CH4.

Thanks for your help!

[Rafael Chust]

Dear Geoff:

I never used myslef any SRI instrument, but I know some people that used and are quite satisfied.

I would go for it!

[chromatographer1]

Be sure to carry a lot of spare parts. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, especially when you are a million kilometers from everywhere.

Good luck.

[philippem]

you can contact Varian in Middelburg the Netherlands. They supply portable GC's which are especially designed for such type of analysis

greetz

Philippe

[GeoffreyMilne]

FYI I found a very good instrument for my needs, the hnu Model 312 portable GC. Completely portable, 12-13 lbs, built in PC board/memory 6x12x9 inches. With FID and right configuration has a detectable limit of 0.1 ppm for CH4. I was quoted ~$14.5k for complete package.

The SRI would work as well (and less expensive), but with lower precision (detectable limit of 1 ppm), and much less mobility (larger, heavier, no battery pack).

We have a portable varian already (TCD detectors), but it costs ~ $40k, is moderately large and heavy (i.e. too big for airline carry on) and hasn't been all that robust in the field.

[gcguy]

Agilent do a portable GC system which is highly modular in construction, might make it easier to carry spares. I have no idea of the price.

GCguy