Injector Liners
The purpose of an inlet liner in a GC system is to allow a sample injected in the liquid phase to pass into the gaseous phase and onto the GC column. The elevated temperature used in the GC inlet vaporizes the liquid sample into a gaseous sample for transfer to the GC column. During the transition from a liquid to a gas, there is change in the volume and the liner must be able to contain this volume. If the volume is too large, sample is lost, impacting reproducibility and sensitivity.
Filter OptionsImportant considerations when selecting inlet liners:
• Must ensure complete vaporization of the sample before it reaches the column entrance.
• Must not react with the sample.
• The liner volume must be larger than the volume of vaporized sample.
• The liner should minimize discrimination not promote it.
• Adding quartz wool increases the surface area and promotes mixing.
• Inlet liners should be deactivated, especially for analysis of polar solutes and for splitless injections.
• Wool should be placed in the optimum position.
