Case Study #1

GC Upgrade for Ethylene Oxide (ETO) Testing

The Problem:
The laboratory was using packed column technology to determine ethylene oxide (ETO) in one injection, and two degradation products, epichlorohydrin (ECH) and ethylene glycol (EG) in a second injection under different conditions. The instrument was at capacity because two injections were required for each sample. In addition, peak shape and sensitivity were poor, and column lifetime was short.

The Solution:
Upgrade to a megabore capillary column. A temperature program was developed to allow separation of all three components in one injection.

The Results:
The overall analysis time was reduced by more than a factor of two, and only one injection was required. During validation, the new method was found to be equal to or better than the packed column method in terms of precision, selectivity, linearity, and sensitivity.

We started with this,

and this,

and finished with this!