DE202007006681U1 - Microtechnological separation column module for gas chromatographs - Google Patents

Abstract

A gas chromatographic analysis apparatus for analyzing substances, comprising a gas chromatographic separation column, an injector for supplying a substance to be analyzed to the separation column, and a detector for analyzing substance portions emerging from the separation column,
characterized in that the separation column is a microtechnological separation column (150) and is arranged on a microtechnological separation column module, the separation column module further comprising:
A support plate (350),
A supply capillary (130) which is connected at its outlet end to the inlet of the separation column and at its inlet end has a connection (131) designed to be coupled to a supply line,
- A discharge capillary (140) which is connected at its inlet end to the outlet of the separation column and at its outlet-side end for coupling with a discharge line formed connection (141) and
A heating and / or cooling device (330; 120-122) for heating or cooling the separation column, the supply capillary and the discharge capillary,
and that the microtechnological separation column module ...

Description

The The invention relates to a gas chromatographic analyzer for the analysis of substances, comprising a gas chromatographic separation column, an injector for supplying a substance to be analyzed to the separation column and a detector for analyzing Substances leaving the separation column. About that In addition, the invention also relates to a microtechnological separation column module for a gas chromatograph.

gas chromatograph are basically known and used in a variety used by analytical applications. Such gas chromatographs typically comprise a separation column, which in one temperature-controlled furnace space is arranged and that on its inlet side with an injector and on its outlet side with a detector is coupled. The separation column is typically multi-wound Glass tube formed and has a length, which is many times greater than its diameter. In the Separation column is arranged a stationary phase which individual components of a sample, starting from the injector is purged through the separation column, depending Molecular weight and optionally other properties of Components distinctively distinct and arrested with a time lag on the outlet side, resulting in a partitioning of the sample according to these constituents he follows. The detector detects the passage of partitions and In general, by assigning the periods between Injection into the injector and detection in the detector and / or the periods between each partition in the detector The partitions can be specific substances or compounds be assigned.

For Such an analysis of substances is regular required, certain temperatures of injector, separation column and detector, especially by heating these components be, but sometimes also by these components cooled become. Often it is necessary to use the components over to keep a certain period of time at a certain temperature or to drive a certain temperature curve. However, because the components have a significant heat capacity must For this purpose, a large amount of energy is expended, on the one hand for reasons of efficiency is disadvantageous and on the other hand a dynamic temperature control sets limits, thereby the measuring speed does not have a certain Limits can be increased. The invention is initially the object of providing a gas chromatograph, which overcomes these problems.

Furthermore, miniaturized gas chromatographs are known. For example, this is off DE 197 26 000 a microtechnological gas chromatograph is known, which comprises a microtechnological separation column and a related thereto microtechnological injector and detector. Out DE 103 01 601 is known a development of this miniaturized gas chromatograph. Out DE 103 03 107 is a further development of such a microtechnological gas chromatograph known.

miniaturized Gas chromatographs, which according to the above listed teachings allow trained a significant reduction in size, energy consumption and the manufacturing cost of gas chromatographs by doing this required components by microtechnological manufacturing technologies getting produced. In this way, such gas chromatographs used in many previously unimaginable applications and also conventional gas chromatographs in many previous ones Applications cost-effective with microtechnological gas chromatographs be replaced.

It However, it has been shown that miniaturized so constructed Gas chromatographs for some industrial applications do not have sufficient capacity to perform a to provide desired measurement accuracy and high detection sensitivity.

Farther It has been shown that by means of microtechnological gas chromatographs Although the analysis time can be significantly reduced, this time reduction but not sufficient for many applications is, especially if several analyzes within a possible short period of time. It is an object of the invention to provide a device which is another shortening of the analysis allows multiple samples time required.

One yet another problem in connection with microtechnological gas chromatographs This is because of the greatly reduced amounts of analysis a high sensitivity of the microtechnologically realized chromatographic Separation from temperature fluctuations exists. Especially then when several analyzes are performed with high cycle time consecutively the analysis result can be undesirable Fluctuations in the temperature of the substances to be analyzed significantly falsified or even fail analysis. The invention is the further task underlying this problem.

The aforementioned problems and objects are achieved by an analysis device of the type mentioned, in which the separation column is a microtechnological separation column and disposed on a microtechnological separation column module, the separation column module further comprising: a support plate, a supply capillary connected at its outlet end to the inlet of the separation column and having at its inlet end a connection adapted to be coupled to a supply conduit; Ableitungskapillare which is connected at its inlet-side end to the outlet of the separation column and having at its outlet end a formed for coupling to a discharge line connection, and a heating and / or cooling device for heating or cooling of the separation column, the Zuleitungskapillare and the And wherein the microtechnological separation column module is arranged so that the injector can inject into the inlet side end of the supply capillary of the separation column module a substance to be analyzed.

With the thus-constructed gas chromatographic analyzer will be a precise analysis of a high number of samples in a short period of time. This is achieved by miniaturizing the separation column is placed on a microsystem module, which is connected via connections to the injector and detector is so that injector and detector are not on the microsystem Module are arranged. In this way it is possible Injector and detector according to conventional design, whereby the measuring accuracy and measuring resolution considerably opposite total miniaturized gas chromatograph can be increased can. Due to the inventive design However, the separation column in microsystems technology, the heat capacity of Separation column significantly reduced, reducing energy consumption for heating / cooling the separation column can be reduced accordingly and a much more dynamic Temperature control of the separation column allows becomes. According to the invention also supply and discharge capillary heated or cooled, causing the spacing of separation column, injector and detector due to the modular design no Impairment of the measuring accuracy entails and In addition, the dynamics of the temperature control further improved can be. The connection between supply capillary and injector or derivation capillary and detector can via the for Coupling trained connections of the invention Separation column module take place and be designed so that it is solvable or permanently formed.

The The invention can be developed for the automated analysis of Substances by supplying a feeding device for feeding a substance to be analyzed to a gas chromatographic separation column and several separation column modules of the construction described above, which are arranged so that the feeding device in the inlet end of the delivery capillary of each separation column module a substance to be analyzed, are provided.

at This embodiment of the invention can be a fast Analysis of multiple substances or rapid multiple analysis a substance is made by this substance (s) by means of the feeding device the multiple separation column modules is / are supplied and a simultaneous measurement takes place. The feeder can be designed as a movable injector or memory, in particular as a movable carriage or pivotable robot arm.

there it is particularly preferred if the heating and / or cooling devices each of the column modules independent of each other are controllable. In this way, the analysis operations, which in each of the several separation column modules be carried out independently of each other, d. H. especially time-delayed and with different durations be executed.

Farther it is preferred if one or more thermal insulation layers, which thermally isolate / isolate the columns from each other, is / are provided. In this way, a thermal Influence between the several separation column modules can be prevented and the column modules can independently heated and cooled become.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the plurality of separating column modules have different measuring ranges, in particular measuring ranges with different measuring resolutions for matching substances or measuring ranges for different substances. This embodiment provides that the plurality of separation columns complement each other in such a way that a substance can be checked for different ingredients by carrying out a simultaneous analysis in separation columns which are designed for different ingredients. Furthermore, this embodiment can provide an analysis device which can be used universally by supplying substances which are to be checked for specific substance contents to a specific separation column of the plurality of separation columns, which is designed for these corresponding ingredients. Finally, with the analyzer provided in this way, it is possible to determine substance contents of an unknown substance in different measurement resolutions, for example if it is unknown whether the proportion of a substance substance sought is in the percentage range, the thousandth part or a fraction thereof. In particular, a Kopp tion of the plurality of separation column modules carried out in such a way that after separation of the substance to be analyzed in a first separation column module, the individual, separated partitions targeted a second or more further separation column is / are to analyze the separated partitions in these separation columns with increased measurement resolution , For this purpose, it is useful that the delivery device is simultaneously able to transport partitions of the substance to be analyzed from one separation column module to another separation column module, or that corresponding connections between the plurality of separation column modules for transferring separated partitions of the analyte from the Outlet of a separation column are provided to the inlet of another separation column.

It is furthermore preferred if in each case an individually controllable cooling device for each of the several separation column modules, in particular a fan is provided. This way, an individual can Cooling of the individual separation column modules done and consequently an independent control of the cooling process the individual separation column modules are made.

Farther it is preferred if the separation column modules as plug-in cards designed for insertion into the analysis device. This training on the one hand enables the rapid exchange of separation column modules in case of occurring defects. On the other hand, through this Training allows the analyzer by equipping with appropriately trained Trennsäu lenmodulen for to equip certain analytical tasks and, consequently, To create a modular analysis device, according to the respective application adapted to the substances to be analyzed can be.

Especially it is preferred if the analysis device has a central detector, with the outlet end of the drainage capillary of all separation column modules is connected. Alternatively, it may be provided in that the analysis device has one detector for each separation column module includes, with the outlet end of the Abführungskapillare is connected to the respective separation column module. These construction methods allow on the one hand in the case of a central detector a cost-effective design of the analysis device. on the other hand is characterized by multiple detectors, each one of a separation column module is assigned, the analysis speed increases and at the same time opened the possibility, also the detectors a respective analysis task and the trained accordingly Adapt separation column.

After all it is preferred that the analysis device according to the invention by a second feeding device for feeding the substances to be analyzed to the separation column modules. By This device will handle the substances to be analyzed simplified and can run faster, since the column modules through two feeders are fed. In continuation This approach also allows more than two delivery devices be provided. Basically, in embodiments with more than one feeder, the feeders be designed so that they each have all separation column modules can be fed or designed so that certain Feeding devices only for certain separation column modules are provided for loading and the multiple feeders thus supplement such that all separation column modules can be charged.

The The aforementioned problems also occur according to the invention by a microtechnological separation column module for Dissolved gas chromatograph, comprising: a support plate, a microtechnological separation column, a supply capillary, at its outlet end with the inlet of the separation column is connected and at its inlet end one for coupling Having a connection formed with a supply line, and a drainage capillary, which at its inlet end with connected to the outlet of the separation column and the at its outlet end one for coupling with a discharge line trained connection, and a heating and / or cooling device for Heating or cooling the separation column, the Zuleitungskapillare and the drain capillary.

By means of such a microtechnological separation column module according to the invention, on the one hand, it is possible to utilize the advantages of microtechnological separation columns without having to make recourse to microtechnological injectors and detectors. For this purpose, the separation column module according to the invention is characterized by couplings to supply capillaries and discharge capillaries, which make it possible to couple the separation column module in a simple and reliable manner with existing gas chromatographic components at a correspondingly designed interface. In this way, it is possible to couple the separation column module with conventional injectors and detectors and thus exploit the advantages of microtechnological separation columns in connection with the technique of conventional injectors and detectors. On the other hand, the separation column module according to the invention makes it possible to use microtechnological separation columns in conjunction with a multiplicity of connection variants, injectors and detectors, without the additional connections and connection paths being used by them Measurement accuracy is impaired. It is advantageous that not only the microtechnological separation column, but also the Zuleitungskapillare and the Ableitungskapillare are heatable or coolable, thereby allowing a microtechnological separation column is used and this thermal conditions can be produced, which are comparable to those of conventional gas chromatographs. Accordingly, with the separation column module according to the invention analysis results with a measurement accuracy and detection sensitivity can be achieved, which could be achieved so far only in conventional technology, but at a much lower energy consumption than when using conventional technology. For the purpose of tempering, a heating and / or cooling device is provided which heats or cools both the separation column and the capillaries which supply the substance to be analyzed to the separation column or remove it from it in a disassembled form.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention Separation column module is the heating and / or cooling device between a first insulating layer and one with the carrier plate connected and between the carrier plate and the first insulating layer arranged second insulating layer arranged, and the microtechnological separation column and / or the Zuleitungskapillare and / or the Ableitungskapillare are / is adjacent to the heating and / or cooling device arranged. Thereby, that the heating and / or cooling device is surrounded by capillaries of insulating layers, the Energy expenditure for temperature control of the separation column module or its components further reduced. The insulation layers can directly on the heating and / or cooling device or abut the capillaries and consist of a solid insulating material. Alternatively, in certain applications, an air insulating layer may also be used be provided. Finally, a carrier plate provided, which serves the mechanical structure and load capacity of the separation column module. This carrier layer For example, it can also take over the function of an insulating layer or implemented in a uniform construction with one of the insulating layers be.

According to one another preferred embodiment, the separation column, the supply capillary and the drainage capillary between the Heating and / or cooling device and the second insulation layer arranged. Alternatively, the separation column, the supply capillary and the drainage capillary between the Heating and / or cooling device and the first insulation layer be arranged. These two training forms of the invention Separation column modules are suitable depending on of certain ambient conditions, of insulation measures and the nature of the support material for a possible energy-saving and in more precise Way to be controlled heating or cooling of the separation column and the supply and discharge capillaries.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention Separation column module is that the heating and / or Cooling device associated with the separation column Separation column heating and / or cooling section and a or several of the inlet and outlet capillary associated / assigned Heating and / or cooling section / e whose heating or Cooling temperatures are controlled separately from each other. On In this way, the heating and / or cooling device is in different heating and / or cooling sections divided, which can be controlled individually are independent, so at least the separation column from the inlet and outlet capillary to heat or cool to be able to, preferably the separation column, the Zuleitungskapillare and heat the drainage capillary separately from each other or to be able to cool. In this way can be a targeted temperature control in these individual areas be achieved. It is particularly advantageous if the different heating and / or cooling sections and the tempered areas by thermal insulation elements, for example in the form of an air gap, are separated from each other, so that a thermal influence of a heating and / or cooling section avoided a neighboring heating and / or cooling section or at least can be reduced. The heating and / or cooling sections In turn, you can choose between simple, double or be divided several times to a differentiated temperature control to enable. In this context, it is particular preferred when the carrier material or one of the insulating materials is designed as a printed circuit board, in such a way for the control and power supply of the heating elements required Cables and supply and discharge capillary on this circuit board to be able to train. In this case, the circuit board is preferably in the area of the couplings of the supply and discharge capillary are provided with a corresponding electrical contact.

there it is particularly preferred if the heating and / or cooling device one of the Zuleitungskapillare associated supply heating and / or Cooling section and one of the drainage capillary associated Deriving heating and / or cooling section comprises, whose Temperatures are controlled separately from each other. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when Zuleitungskapillare and Derivative capillary separated and independent of each other to be heated or cooled or an arrangement of these two capillaries is provided in such a way that they separated and widely spaced from each other.

When Heating and / or cooling devices adjacent to the Zuleitungs- and / or the Ableitungskapillare are arranged preferably uses electrical heating or cooling elements, such as As electric heating wires and Peltier elements that are characterized by a fast response time.

In a further preferred embodiment of the separation column module be used as a heating and cooling device gas and / or liquid-flow lines used, surrounding the supply and / or Ableitungskapillare or directly are arranged adjacent to them, wherein the gas or the liquid the tempered and heat transferring or represents the receiving medium.

When Heating and / or cooling devices that are not on immediate Proximity to the supply and / or Ableitungskapillare instructed are preferred, such heaters are used, the inductive work or based on ultrasound, infrared radiation or Microwave radiation based.

The Contour of the carrier plate is generally made the requirement that the separation column module according to the invention with its supply capillary and its drainage capillary one Make connection between the input-side injector and the output side detector of the gas chromatograph, wherein the microtechnological separation column in a preferred Configuration is disposed near the detector, so that the Ableitungskapillare is kept as short as possible to an output-side mixing the chroma separated tographisch substance components. Depending on the design constraints of the gas chromatograph, in which the separation column module is to be used, can z. B. an L, U, V or T-shaped contour of the support plate be preferred.

Especially it is preferred that the carrier plate is a T-shaped Contour has, the separation column at the end of the longitudinal leg is arranged and the Zuleitungskapillare and Ableitungskapillare from the opposite ends of the transverse leg to Center out and from there to a change of direction parallel along the longitudinal leg to the separation column extend. In this embodiment, a stable and compact structure of the separation column module according to the invention realized. The coupling points of the inlet and outlet capillary can at the two ends of the transverse leg of the T-shaped contour can be arranged and parallel to each other be aligned, for example, they can be formed be that a coupling in the direction of the extension of the longitudinal leg can take place.

alternative this may be advantageous in certain applications when the support plate a V or U-shaped contour has, the separation column in the angular or curvature area of the V and U is arranged and the Zuleitungskapillare and Ableitungskapillare extending from the ends of each leg to the separation column extend. This embodiment allows a spatially completely separate leadership of inlet and outlet capillary between coupling point and separation column.

One Another aspect of the invention is a use of a microtechnological Separation column module of the aforementioned type for connection an injector and detector of a gas chromatography device conventional design.

One Yet another aspect of the invention is the use of a microtechnological Separation column module according to the previous construction for Connection to an autosampler with one or more feeders for supplying analytes to a plurality of separation column modules.

The The above use can be trained to analyze a substance to be analyzed in different measurement resolutions, by delivering the substance to separation column modules in the autosampler which have different measurement resolutions.

The The aforementioned use can alternatively be developed to parallelize Analysis of several substances to be analyzed by adding each substance supplied to one of several separation column modules in the autosampler becomes.

After all can the above use in a further alternative trained be used for the parallel analysis of different substance areas substance to be analyzed by adding the substance to several separation column modules is supplied in the autosampler, which are formed to analyze different substance areas.

Under An autosampler is a device in the context of these uses to understand what an automated delivery of provides substances to be analyzed to separation columns, For example, by a feeding device of the previously described Manner is provided.

preferred Embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the attached Figures described. Show it:

1 FIG. 2: a schematic top view of a first embodiment of a separation column module according to the invention in T-shape, FIG.

2 FIG. 2: a schematic plan view of a second embodiment of a separation column module according to the invention in the form of a V, FIG.

3 FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a third embodiment of a separation column module according to the invention in a U-shape, FIG.

4 : a schematic, along the line AA in 1 cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the layer arrangement of the separation column module according to the invention,

5 : a schematic, along the line AA in 1 cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the layer arrangement of the separation column module according to the invention,

6 : a schematic, along the line AA in 1 cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the layer arrangement of the separation column module according to the invention, and

7 : A perspective view obliquely from the top front of an analysis device according to the invention.

Referring first to the 1 a first embodiment of the separation column module according to the invention comprises a in the contour of a T executed support plate 10 on which a first insulating layer is arranged (not shown). On this first insulating layer is a heater 20 . 21 arranged. The heater 20 . 21 includes a T-shaped heating section 20 on which a supply capillary 30 and a drainage capillary 40 runs. Furthermore, the heating device comprises 20 . 21 a square heating section 21 on which a microtechnologically formed separation column 50 is arranged.

The supply capillary is on the inlet side with a coupling plug 31 connected, which protrudes in the direction of the longitudinal leg of the T-shaped support plate from one end of the transverse leg of the T-shaped support plate. Starting from this coupling plug 31 The Zuleitungskapillare runs along the transverse leg and bends approximately in the middle of the transverse leg, in the direction of the longitudinal leg to the separation column 50 to get lost. The supply capillary is there with the inlet opening of the separation column 50 coupled.

The drainage capillary 40 runs starting from the outlet opening of the separation column 50 along and in the direction of the longitudinal leg of the T-shaped carrier plate 10 to about the middle of the transverse leg of the T-shaped support plate 10 , bends here and runs to the other end of the transverse leg. There is the derivation capillary with a coupling plug 41 connected, which is parallel to the coupling plug 31 extends.

It is to be understood that the figures only schematically the flow guidance demonstrate. In the interpretation of these schematic representations it is clear to the person skilled in the art that the direction changes in Capillaries, the joints and the like streamlined, be formed in particular vortex-free and dead spaces should. In that regard, for example, pictured right-angled To interpret directional courses as merely symbolic.

2 shows a second embodiment of the separation column module according to the invention. On a V-shaped carrier plate 110 is a heater 120 - 122 arranged, which is divided into a Zuleitungsheizabschnitt 120 , a separation column heating section 121 and a drainage heating section 122 ,

A supply capillary 130 extends, starting from a arranged on a leg-side end of the V-shaped support plate coupling connector 131 to a separation column 150 on the separation column heating section 121 at the base of the V-shaped support plate 110 is arranged. The outlet side is the separation column 150 with a drainage capillary 140 connected, which starting from the separation column 150 to a arranged at the other leg end coupling connector 141 extends, which is parallel to the coupling plug 131 is aligned.

In the picture according to 2 In turn, the insulating layers are not shown for better representability.

3 shows a third embodiment in which the individual components on a U-shaped support plate 210 are constructed.

Starting from one at a leg-side end of the U-shaped support plate 210 trained coupling plug 231 extends a Zuleitungskapillare 230 along the leg, kinks at the transition between leg and base of the U-shaped support plate and then extends along the base up to a separation column 250 , The supply capillary 230 is on an L-shaped heating section 220 arranged.

The separation column 250 is on a square column heating section 221 arranged.

Starting from the separation column 250 extends a drainage capillary 240 along the base of the U-shaped support plate, kinks at the junction of the base and the other leg the U-shaped support plate 210 from and runs to a arranged at the end of the other leg coupling plug 241 , which is parallel to the coupling plug 231 is aligned.

The drainage capillary 240 is on an L-shaped lead-out heating section 222 arranged.

Between the L-shaped lead heating section 220 and the square column heating section 221 is an air gap 223 educated. Between the square column heating section 221 and the L-shaped lead-out heating section 222 is an air gap 224 educated. The air gaps 223 . 224 serve the heating sections 220 . 221 and 222 thermally decoupling from each other.

4 shows a first embodiment of the layer structure of the separation column module according to the invention. A cross-sectional representation in the region of a drainage capillary is shown. The picture according to 4 is, as well as the illustrations described below according to 5 and 6 , so to understand that instead of the drainage capillary as well as the supply capillary or the separation column can be arranged.

In the layer structure according to 4 is the derivative capillary 310a on a flat heating section 330a arranged, in turn, on a support plate 350a is attached flat. The carrier plate 350a is preferably formed in this embodiment of a material with low thermal conductivity to a low outflow of heat or cooling amounts from the heating section 330a in the carrier plate 350a to achieve.

5 shows a first variant of the layer structure of the separation column module according to the invention. A cross-sectional representation in the region of a drainage capillary is shown.

In the layer structure according to 5 is the derivative capillary 310 in a first insulating layer 320 embedded and thus shielded from the environment.

A flat heating section 330 is flush with an outer surface of the first insulating layer 320 starting from and starting from this outer surface so far into the first insulating layer 320 let in that the heating section 330 direct contact with the drainage capillary 310 Has. In this way, heat can be generated by direct contact between the heating section 330 and the drainage capillary onto the drainage capillary 310 be transmitted.

The heating section 330 is on the lead capillary 310 opposite side by a second insulating layer 340 covered, which at the through the flush outer surface of the heating section 330 and the first insulating layer 320 trained outside surface lies. The second insulating layer 340 Insulates the heating section 330 from a carrier plate 350 to which it is attached flat.

6 shows a second variant of the layer arrangement. Starting from a plate 450 on which a second insulating layer 440 is arranged, is a derivative capillary 410 in the second insulating layer 440 embedded such that they have an insulating distance to the support plate 450 having.

In the second insulating layer 440 is a heating section 430 let in so far that its surface on one side is flush with the support plate 450 opposite outer surface of the insulating layer 440 terminates and with the other outer surface in direct contact with the drainage capillary 410 is to heat such directly to the drain capillary 410 transferred to.

The through the second insulating layer 440 and the heating section 430 formed outer surface is covered by a first insulating layer 420 shielded from the environment abge to prevent such a transfer of heating power to the ambient air.

7 shows an autosampler according to the invention. The autosampler includes a thermal chamber shielded from the environment 510 , in which a total of five separation column modules 520a -E are inserted. The separation column modules 520a -E can from one side into the thermal chamber 510 be pushed in, as indicated by the arrow 521 is indicated by a semi-withdrawn separation column module.

Each separation column module 520a -E is on a rectangular support plate 522 arranged on which a Zuleitungsheizabschnitt 523 a separation column heating section 524 and a drainage heating section 525 is arranged. Via parallel aligned coupling plug 526 . 527 The supply capillary (not shown) and drain capillary (not shown) of the respective column modules can be connected.

A fan 530 serves to the thermo chamber 510 to aerate, thereby the separation column modules 520a -E to cool by convection. In the illustrated embodiment, the separation column modules become 520a -E by a single fan 530 cooled together. However, in alternative embodiments, it is also advantageous to use each separation column module 520a -E to arrange in a separate thermal chamber, for example by at the in 6 illustrated embodiment corresponding partitions between the individual separation column modules 520a -E are inserted, and each of these thermal chambers is provided with a separate fan to individual cooling of the column modules 520a -E to realize.

Above the thermal chamber 510 are five openings 540a -E arranged, which in each case one of the separation column modules 520a -E are assigned.

Above the openings 540a -E is a guide rail 550 arranged on the two independently movable feed arms 560 . 561 are movably guided. The feed arms 560 . 561 have at their lower end an injector section 570 . 571 on, which with appropriate positioning of the feed 560 respectively. 561 along the guide rail 550 above one of the openings 540a -E come and in this way the delivery of a substance to be analyzed in one of the openings 540a -E and then into one of the inlet-side coupling plug 526 the separation column modules 520a -E allows.

The outlet side coupling plug 527 the separation column modules 520a -E are in the back of the thermo chamber 510 connected to a line leading to a respective detector (not shown) for each of the columns of columns 520a -E leads and can detect the fractionated portions of the substance to be analyzed.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 19726000 [0004]
• - DE 10301601 [0004]
• - DE 10303107 [0004]

Claims (23)

Gas chromatographic analyzer for analyzing substances, comprising a gas chromatographic separation column, an injector for supplying a substance to be analyzed to the separation column and a detector for analyzing substance components emerging from the separation column, characterized in that the separation column is a microtechnological separation column ( 150 ) and is arranged on a microtechnological separation column module, the separation column module further comprising: - a carrier plate ( 350 ), - a supply capillary ( 130 ) which is connected at its outlet end to the inlet of the separation column and at its inlet-side end a connection designed for coupling to a supply line ( 131 ), - a discharge capillary ( 140 ) which is connected at its inlet end to the outlet of the separation column and at its outlet end a connection designed for coupling to a discharge line ( 141 ) and - a heating and / or cooling device ( 330 ; 120 - 122 ) for heating or cooling the separation column, the supply capillary and the discharge capillary, and in that the microtechnological separation column module is arranged such that the injector can inject into the inlet end of the supply capillary of the separation column module a substance to be analyzed. Analysis device according to claim 1 for the automated analysis of substances, comprising a delivery device ( 560 for supplying a substance to be analyzed to a gas chromatographic separation column, characterized by a plurality of separation column modules ( 520a -E) arranged so that the delivery device can inject into the inlet side end of the supply capillary of each separation column module a substance to be analyzed. Analysis device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the heating and / or cooling devices each of the column modules independent of each other are controllable. Analysis device according to the preceding claim, characterized by one or more thermal insulation layers, which thermally isolate / isolate the columns from each other. Analysis device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the plurality of separation column modules have different measuring ranges, in particular measuring ranges with different measurement resolutions for matching Substances or measuring ranges for different substances. Analysis device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized by one individually controllable Cooling device for each of the plurality of separation column modules, especially a fan. Analysis device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the separation column modules designed as plug-in cards for insertion into the analysis device are. Analysis device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized by a central detector, with the outlet end of the drainage capillary of all separation column modules connected is. Analysis device according to one of the preceding Claims, each characterized by a detector for each column module with which the outlet side End of the drainage capillary of the respective separation column module connected is. Analysis device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a second delivery device ( 561 ) for supplying the analytes to the separation column modules. Microtechnological separation column module for gas chromatographs, comprising: - a carrier plate ( 350 ), - a microtechnological separation column ( 150 ), - a supply capillary ( 130 ) which is connected at its outlet end to the inlet of the separation column and at its inlet-side end a connection designed for coupling to a supply line ( 131 ), - a discharge capillary ( 140 ) which is connected at its inlet end to the outlet of the separation column, and which at its outlet end forms a connection for coupling to a discharge line ( 141 ) and - a heating and / or cooling device ( 330 ; 120 - 122 ) for heating or cooling the separation column, the Zuleitungskapillare and the Ableitungskapillare. Separation column module according to claim 11, characterized in that the heating and / or cooling device ( 330 ; 120 - 122 ) between a first insulation layer ( 320 ) and a second insulating layer connected to the carrier plate and arranged between the carrier plate and the first insulating layer (US Pat. 340 ), and that the mi Krotechnological separation column ( 150 ) and / or the supply capillary ( 130 ) and / or the drainage capillary ( 140 ) are arranged adjacent to the heating and / or cooling device / is. Separation column module according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the separation column, the Zuleitungskapillare and the Ableitungskapillare ( 410 ) between the heating and / or cooling device ( 430 ) and the second insulation layer ( 440 ) are arranged. Separation column module according to one of the preceding claims 11-13, characterized in that the separation column, the Zuleitungskapillare and the Ableitungskapillare ( 310 ) between the heating and / or cooling device ( 330 ) and the first insulation layer ( 320 ) are arranged. Separation column module according to one of the preceding claims 11-14, characterized in that the heating and / or cooling device assigned to the separation column separation column heating section ( 121 ) and one or more of the supply and Ableitungskapillare associated heating sections ( 120 . 122 ), whose heating temperature is controlled separately from each other. Separation column module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the heating and / or cooling device one of the Zuleitungskapillare associated lead heating section ( 120 ) and a discharge heating section associated with the drainage capillary ( 122 ), whose heating temperature is controlled separately from each other. Separation column module according to one of the preceding Claims 11-16, characterized in that the support plate has a T-shaped contour, the separation column is arranged at the end of the longitudinal leg and the Zuleitungskapillare and drain capillary from the opposite Ends of the transverse leg extend towards the center and from there after a change of direction parallel along the longitudinal leg extend to the separation column. Separation column module according to one of the preceding Claims 11-16, characterized in that the support plate has a V- or U-shaped contour, the separation column in the angle or curvature area of the V and U is arranged and the Zuleitungskapillare and Ableitungskapillare extending from the ends of the legs to the separation column. Use of a microtechnological separation column module according to one of the preceding claims 11-18 for connection to an injector and detector of a gas chromatography device conventional Design type. Use of a microtechnological separation column module according to one of the preceding claims 11-18 for connection to an autosampler with one or more feeders for supplying analytes to a plurality of separation column modules. Use according to claim 20 for the analysis of a analyzing substance in different measurement resolutions, by delivering the substance to separation column modules in the autosampler which have different measurement resolutions. Use according to claim 20 for parallel analysis several substances to be analyzed by each substance supplied by several separation column modules in the autosampler becomes. Use according to claim 20 for parallel analysis various substance areas of a substance to be analyzed, by the substance of several column modules in the autosampler is supplied, which are adapted to different Analyze substance areas.