|
 FAQ about Pyrolysis with OPTIC
| Q: |
Is the OPTIC maximum temperature of 600°C high enough for performing pyrolysis GC-MS? |
| A: |
Yes, most of the (co-)polymers degrade at temperatures lower than 600°C. |
| Q: |
Is the OPTIC temperature ramp rate of 30°C/sec fast enough to perform pyrolysis GC-MS? |
| A: |
Pyrolysis GC-MS requires high temperatures, but fast ramp rate is needed for good peak shapes . The OPTIC 3 ramp rate of 30°C/sec delivers excellent peak shapes that can easily be detected by GC/MS. |
| Q: |
Is it possible to introduce a liquid sample into OPTIC pyrolyzer? |
| A: |
Yes, it is possible and even recommended. When the polymer solution is injected into the PTV-pyrolyzer, the results are quantitative. |
| Q: |
Can I introduce a solid sample into the OPTIC pyrolyzer? |
| A: |
Solid sample can be introduced into the pyrolyzer. It can be done manually or automated using an ATAS GL's LINEX system. |
| Q: |
Will my column be damaged because it is in the pyrolysis chamber? |
| A: |
The top of the column is indeed installed inside the chamber which is heated normally above the maximum temperature limit of the GC-column. However, this is not a problem. When the column is installed , one blank run should be performed first anyway. |
| Q: |
Do I need to use quartz liners with the OPTIC pyrolyzer? |
| A: |
No, borosilicate glass liners can normally be used up to 600°C. |
| Q: |
Why should I buy a pyrolyzer? |
| A: |
The PTV pyrolyzer delivers you much more detailed information about the composition of your polymer samples especially if they are very complex. |
| Q: |
Why should I buy an OPTIC pyrolyzer and not a conventional pyrolyser? |
| A: |
First, with the OPTIC pyrolyzer , analysis automation is very simple.
Second, only with OPTIC and liquid injections, quantitative pyrolysis is possible.
The whole set-up is simple and no modification to your GC is needed. |
| Q: |
What type of sample can be pyrolyzed? |
| A: |
Any type of materials for example liquid, solid, powder, samples with filler can be introduced into the pyrolyzer.
Depending on the sample type, different liners should be used.
Also a micro-cup can be used for solid and liquid samples to avoid contamination of the liner. |
| Q: |
What sample size is recommended? |
| A: |
As small as possible but big enough to ensure the detection of the components of interest.
In general, the size of the sample is limited by the liner internal diameter.
One of the OPTIC's advantages is its big liner size with ID of 3.4 mm. |
| Q: |
Is it easy to maintain the OPTIC pyrolyzer? |
| A: |
Yes, the pyrolysis chamber can be maintained easily, even by yourselves. |
| Q: |
Which GC or GC-MS can be used together with the OPTIC pyrolyzer? |
| A: |
All types/brands GC instruments. |
| Q: |
Is there a carry-over effect? |
| A: |
No, especially when liquid injection is used to introduce the polymer sample, no carry-over effect is expected.
PTV pyrolysis is much more efficient than conventional pyrolysis and therefore the whole polymer sample
is completely fragmented and transferred into the column. |
| Q: |
Do I need to replace my liners very often? |
| A: |
No, for solid samples you can use a micro-cup to avoid residues in the liner.
For liquid injections, the recovery of the pyrolysis is 100%, so no residues are expected. |
| Q: |
Do I need a cryo-trap? |
| A: |
Only when very volatile fragments are formed, a cryo-trap can be used to improve the peak shapes. |
| Q: |
Is it possible to use the OPTIC pyrolysis in a double-shot mode? |
| A: |
Yes, the OPTIC pyrolyzer can handle double shot and even up to 9 shot steps if you want. |
| Q: |
Is Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) possible with the OPTIC pyrolyser? |
| A: |
Yes, this is easy to program in the software. |
|
|
Dutch market
print