Design and application of a gas chromatograph–gas chromatograph transfer line

A simple innovation is proposed in this work: to use interface (transfer line, TL), which allows quantitative mass transfer between two gas chromatographs. This approach assumes that one chromatograph serves as a conventional GC apparatus and the second one only as a thermostat with the appropriate detector(s) mounted. Two possible applications of the TL were tested: an “inlet–TL–detector” system and a system for dual-detection analysis, i.e. mass spectrometry and atomic emission detection. Results obtained for both of the systems show that the interface enables effective connection of two independent chromatographs. The transfer line is a manufacturer-independent innovation (with its own electronics), easy to set up and maintain.