Specialist in "Micro-GC" applications, SRA Instruments uses AGILENT analytical modules to develop its own analyzers.

The "Micro-GC" technology was conceived to fulfill the NASA requirements. Direct heir to this design and this know-how, the AGILENT Company today proposes the Micro-GC 3000.

A GC 3000 may be simple (1 or 2 analysis modules) or more complete (3 or 4 modules) or portable and autonomous (1 or 2 modules, battery and gas bottle).
The Agilent GC 3000 microchromatograph is an apparatus sure, fast, precise, easy to use. Its modular design reduced the risks of breakdown while ensuring one of the most reduced downtime: each analytical module comprises an injector, a capillary column and a detector. Only a few minutes are needed to replace a module without requiring particular tool nor specific training.

The photograph shows a portable MicroGC3000. One distinguishes there 2 analytical modules and the carrier gas bottle.

The photograph below corresponds to a MicroGC3000 equipped with 4 analytical modules.

The Micro-GC technology offers many advantages:

• A short run-time, typically from 20 to 180 seconds.
• A low gas consumption and the use (quasi null) of carrier gas to actuate the valves.
• A short implementation time (very reduced volume to be heated) associated with a great stability.
• A nonselective detector with a very wide dynamics and an excellent reproducibility (measurement from ppm to 100 %).
• A small overall dimensions and the portability.

The MICROGC 3000 offers higher performances even under difficult conditions (measurement of natural gas compounds with less than 0,05% RSD for retention times and less than 0,3% RSD for concentrations). The extended dynamic range of the detector allows simultaneous analysis of traces and high concentrations. The pneumatic electronic regulation allows performances to be reproducible and independent of the operator.

The photograph gives an outline of the detector or 2 injectors sizes compared to a coin of one cent euro.

Applications:

MicroGC 3000 allows measurement of most compounds from C1 to C12, of petroleum liquefied gases PLG, permanent gases (H2, O2, N2, CO, CO2, He, Ar...).

Its use relates to many activity fields:

• Natural gas.
• Refining, petrochemical units.
• Gas manufactures (pure gases, calibration gases, ...).
• Fuel cells.
• Oil and gas prospecting.
• Nuclear thermal power stations
• Car industry, catalysis, ...
• Environment (COV emission, landfill biogas, stations of treatment, hygiene, ...
• Chemical specialities
• Food, agrochemical industry, ...

The SRA Instruments contribution:

Reliability, simplicity, universality and dynamics, as many reasons which justify the choice of the MicroGC 3000 analytical modules.

SRA Instruments develops with lower cost general or specific applications which meet the needs for demanding users:

• MicroTD and Mass spectrometer couplings with MicroGC 3000 (possibly on portable plate).
• On-line explosion-proof analyzers.
• Analyzers in 19" rack with or without PC inside.
• Analyzers in IP66 tight box (box alone or assembled on wheels, incorporating microcomputer, microTD, mass spectrometer, gas bottles... according to needs).
• Achievements on specifications (laboratory truck, ...)