The Automation of High Capacity, High Throughput, Static Headspace ? GC-MS

Headspace sampling is an established technique for quantitation of volatile organic compounds in various types of samples. Since only gas phase material is injected into the GC-MS, static headspace sampling methods tend to be robust and reliable ? this makes static headspace methods well suited to high throughput applications where large numbers of samples need to be analysed routinely. Careful optimisation of both chromatographic and mass spectrometer parameters enables very short cycle-times to be achieved, even with complex samples. For a laboratory to best exploit this capability, a high degree of automation is needed. This article details the development of an automated system for fast, high capacity, static headspace analysis that is capable of 24 hour unattended operation.