Create Your Own Gas Chromatograph - Instant Instrumentation Demonstration Kit

Assemble an inexpensive operating gas chromatograph in less than one hour! Simply fill the glass column with our special packing material and connect the column to a laboratory gas jet. When a chlorinated hydrocarbon vapor is injected into the column, the gas molecules move through the column and are separated based on their relative size and polarity. The detector consists of a copper coil that is placed over a small burner flame—a green-blue flame color provides a positive test for chlorine. Teaching the principles of this workhorse instrument has never been faster or easier. Teacher Demonstration Notes, overhead transparencies, and reproducible student handouts are included.

Concepts: Gas chromatography, retention time, detectors.
Time Required: One full class period
Materials Provided: Dichloromethane, trichloromethane, chromatographic packing material, latex tubing, glass tubing, copper wire, Pasteur pipets, syringes, plastic funnel, corks.
Note: A natural gas (methane) fuel source is required. Perform this demonstration in a fume hood or well-ventilated lab.