Lesson 10 - Detectors in GC

Flame Ionisation Detector (FID)

A type of GC detector that measures current produced by ions formed during combustion of organic compounds.

Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD)

A universal GC detector that measures thermal conductivity differences between the analyte and carrier gas.

Electron Capture Detector (ECD)

A type of GC detector that detects analytes by measuring a decrease in ionization due to the presence of electronegative substances.

Nitrogen Phosphorus Detector (NPD)

A GC detector specifically sensitive to nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, utilizing thermionic emission.

Mass Flow Rate

The amount of mass passing through a given surface per unit time, significant in the context of GC detector performance.

Carrier Gas

In gas chromatography, the gas that transports the analyte through the column.

MDQ (Minimum Detectable Quantity)

The smallest amount of analyte that can be reliably detected by a specific detector.

Selectivity

The ability of a detector to respond to a specific analyte while ignoring other compounds.

Destructive Detection

When a detector destroys the analyte while measuring, as seen with FID.

Non-destructive Detection

Detection method where the analyte is not destroyed or altered, as in TCD and ECD.

Thermal Conductivity

The property that determines how easily heat is conducted through a substance, crucial for TCD functionality.