Chromatography Forum

Hi, I am new to GC can anyone please tell me what headspace analysis is
Many thanks
Liv

Headspace is the gas phase in a container above a liquid or solid. Headspace analysis is just analysis of the headspace - this is sometimes used to find out the composition of the headspace itself - as in gas analysis in modified atmosphere packaging but is far more commonly used as a way of determining the composition of a solid or liquid phase in the container. The sample is put into a vial, a cap is crimped onto it, it is incubated at a fixed temperature for a fixed time and then a sample of the headspace is withdrawn and analysed. The composition of the headspace reflects the composition of the sample. Headspace analysis is especially powerful for volatile analytes in aqueous samples, solids or non-volatile liquids.

Try a search on Google or in the forum archives.

Peter

Head space analysis is of two types depending upon the kinetics of the sample-
1. static mode- sample vial is incubated in oven without motion then injected.
2. In motion- sample vial is centrifuges simulteneously with incubation then injected.