Gas Chromatograph for Forum Members.

[dgs]

Does anyone think it would be a good idea for the forum members to purchase a communal Gas Chromatograph?

When I have seen these tests advertised commercially the cost per sample is very high. From memory between £300 and £750 per sample.

I have considered purchasing one myself, they are not expensive second hand, usually between £500 and £2000, but the problem is that they are not the sort of instrument that can just be switched on when a test is needed.
The oven needs to be on all the time, as does the carrier gas and the gas used for ionisation.

Probably most of you think this idea is a no-go, but your thoughts would be interesting.

[Tony]

I would be interested.  Purchase cost aside, what is the running cost?

If it must always be hot, that sounds like an electrical cost - and presumably there are consumables too (gas)?

Who would be the nominated mentor for such a machine?  It's the kind of thing I would love access to once in a rare while, but would gather dust 99.99% of the time.

[K.H]

I would be interested

[Julian]

I'd certainly be interested, but would echo Tony's reservations.

I know little about them but running costs from what you describe could be scary ... add to that maintenance, spares and repairs and calibration plus someone's time to run tests or the risk of any old Tom, Dick or KH using it, it could all get very involved.

Again based on very little knowledge, isn't there a watered down version available that uses infrared?  I'll consult my mate who understands things chemical when he returns from holiday in a couple of weeks.

[Jamesrl]

Years ago I worked for a company making Gas Chromatographs.

[julesandtash]

Were they blue?

[Manfred]

Were they blue?

  He said years ago. In them days it was black or black.  Your choice.

[dgs]

I know a chap that tests for bio producers and petrochemical companys, I wiil ask him this week re best type, running costs etc. I will see what information he is willing to give me.

When I worked in the labs at ICI Wilton many years ago I used the Perkin Elmer GC's all the time. They were not over reliable and when a column was inserted it took forever to factorise the things. Having said all that I'm sure they are are a lot more reliable nowadays.

[photoman290]

don't most of them need hydrogen? if so may be difficult to get unless you can convince BOC you are a commercial customer. the other thing you could use is FTIR if you interpret the results.