ALMSCO International recently announced an alternative solution for the characterisation of crude oils over traditional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) techniques. The BenchTOF-dx harnesses the power of comprehensive two-dimensional GC (GCxGC) combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) and is capable of producing classical electron impact ionization (EI) spectra. Crude oils are extremely complex mixtures and have traditionally been analysed by GC. However, one dimensional GC is limited in terms of separation and therefore understanding of the oil sample’s geochemistry, providing no insight into issues that might arise during extraction, transport or refining. The solution:
- Features extended range over which time of flight mass detectors for GC are able to record the molecular ion, making it ideal for analyzing challenging compounds such as crude oil.
- Produces compound spectra in the classical format as used in commercial spectral libraries, enabling analysts to retain the use of spectral libraries proprietary to petrochemical laboratories.
- Has a selectable spectral acquisition rate that exceeds 500 spectra per second.
- Accommodates all types of GC separations. The increased data rate also amplifies the efficiency of data mining software to facilitate rapid full scan screening of target compounds at trace levels.
