Amended RFQ Attachment - Essential Characteristics of GC (002).docx

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS / OPERATION CONDITIONS

Gas Chromatograph Background:

A gas chromatograph separates volatile gaseous compounds carried by an inert gas such as helium, nitrogen, argon or hydrogen across a solid stationary phase. Different chemicals will pass through the stationary phase at different speeds. The time a sample takes to pass through the stationary phase determines the chemical. Gas chromatography is a powerful standalone application used in many industries, especially environmental testing. Fast run times, robust data acquisition, and analysis software are important features in a gas chromatograph.

Components in a gas chromatograph include a sample injector, flow controller, GC column, column oven, a detector, and a computer for data acquisition and analysis. A combination of electronic sensors and pumps maintain either a constant or variable mobile phase flow rate from 0.001 to 100 mL per minute. GC instruments typically have a maximum temperature of 350C to 450C.

Gas Chromatographs can be equipped with several types of detectors. Different detectors analyze different chemicals. The common environmental samples 18AMDS/TPMF analyzes requires a flame ionization detector (FID) and an electron capture detector (ECD).

Essential Characteristics:

1. Gas Chromatograph

2. Temperature set point resolution of 0.5C or less

3. Pneumatic control of 0.1 psi or less

4. Flame ionization detector (FID) with minimum detection limit of 2 pg C/s or lower

5. Electron Capture detectors (ECD) with minimum detection limit of 10 fg/mL or lower

6. Split/Splitless injectors

7. Auto sampler

8. Computer and controlling/analyzing software

9. Any required databases

10. Materials (gases) purification

11. Exhaust Kits

12. Installation Operation Conditions:

The requested Gas Chromatograph will be used to analyze environmental and HAZWASTE samples. 18AMDS/SGPN is the only environmental compliance laboratory in PACAF. 18AMDS/SGPN performs compliance testing for all PACAF bases (to exclude the HI AND AL locations).