Extra‐column effects in multi‐dimensional switching systems (MDSS) — GC

In order to permit valveless MDSS operation and easy column change, the hardware designed contains several connections. These can give rise to extra‐column band broadening effects. In order to quantitate such effects, the packed‐capillary column configuration (without trap) was used. The band broadening caused by the connections was found to be small: 120 ms2. A more practical approach was used to check the performance of the trap (re‐injection) in the capillary‐trap‐capillary column configuration. Here the results obtained with re‐injection from the trap were compared with results obtained in transfer and heart‐cutting modes while the trap was heated. Re‐injection was tested with n‐alkanes ranging from n‐C6 to n‐C28. A starting peak width of 1.6 s was found.