LimsPulse
Chromatography

GC Headspace Sampler

Heats a sealed vial containing the sample so volatile compounds move into the gas above it, then injects a portion of that gas into the GC. The standard way to test residual solvents without putting the sample matrix into the GC.

  • Pharmaceutical
  • Packaging
  • Food & beverage
  • Environmental
  • Forensic
Illustration of GC Headspace Sampler
Follow your site SOP
This is a typical operating sequence for learning. Your instrument model and approved SOP take precedence.
STAGE 1

Before you start

  1. 1Confirm both the headspace sampler and GC are qualified and within calibration due date.
  2. 2Use clean vials; if blanks show solvent peaks, bake vials and septa as your SOP allows.
  3. 3Prepare standards and samples in the same diluent and volume, in the same type of vial.
  4. 4Crimp each vial immediately after adding diluent, and check the cap cannot be turned by hand.
  • Residual solvent standards are volatile; keep stock solutions capped and cold, and prepare dilutions quickly.
STAGE 2

Set-up

  1. 1Set oven, loop and transfer-line temperatures from the method (e.g. 80, 85 and 90 °C, the loop and line slightly hotter than the oven).
  2. 2Set equilibration time, shaking, pressurisation time and pressure, loop fill and injection times.
  3. 3Match the GC inlet split ratio and oven programme to the method.
  4. 4Run a blank vial (diluent only) to check the system is clean.
  • Do not set the vial temperature near the diluent boiling point; vial pressure rises and septa can fail.
STAGE 3

Running samples

  1. 1Load the sequence: blank, sensitivity or Class 1 solution if required, system suitability standards, then samples with bracketing standards.
  2. 2Use overlapping (prep-ahead) mode if available so the next vial equilibrates while the previous one is running.
  3. 3Check system suitability before reporting results.
  • Never open a hot vial: the contents are under pressure and may spray hot solvent.
STAGE 4

Shutdown

  1. 1Remove vials and let them cool before decapping and disposal as solvent waste.
  2. 2Set the sampler to standby temperatures and keep a carrier purge through the loop as the manufacturer recommends.
  3. 3Complete the usage log.
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management

Keep every Headspace in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.

See how