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
TROUBLESHOOTING

Common problems, causes and fixes

Low or variable peak areas
Likely causes
  • • Vial not sealed properly or septum punctured
  • • Equilibration time too short
  • • Inconsistent fill volume or sample weight
What to do
  • • Recrimp with a new cap and check the crimper setting
  • • Extend equilibration time to the plateau
  • • Use calibrated pipettes and weigh accurately
Carry-over in blank
Likely causes
  • • Loop or transfer line too cold so analytes condense
  • • Contaminated needle
  • • High-concentration sample run just before
What to do
  • • Keep loop and line hotter than the vial oven
  • • Purge or clean the needle
  • • Add blank vials after high samples
Solvent peaks in blank
Likely causes
  • • Contaminated vials, septa or diluent
  • • Laboratory air contaminated with solvent
What to do
  • • Use fresh headspace-grade diluent and baked vials
  • • Prepare vials away from solvent-handling areas
Pressure or leak error
Likely causes
  • • Worn needle seal
  • • Loose transfer-line fitting
  • • Bent needle
What to do
  • • Replace the seal
  • • Tighten the fitting and leak-check
  • • Replace the needle
Broad early peaks
Likely causes
  • • Split ratio too low for 1 mL gas injection
  • • Transfer line dead volume
  • • Inlet liner unsuitable
What to do
  • • Increase split ratio within method allowance
  • • Check connections and use a narrow-bore liner
  • • Use the liner type the method specifies
Response falls over the sequence
Likely causes
  • • Vials waiting too long in a heated oven
  • • Gas supply pressure dropping
What to do
  • • Use timed overlap so each vial gets the same heating time
  • • Check the cylinder and regulator
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management

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

See how