| Abstract [eng] |
In this PhD thesis, the application of cryo-enrichment in gas chromatography is explored. It is a technique designed to enhance the separation and detection of volatile compounds in complex mixtures. By lowering the temperature of the chromatographic column to extremely low levels, this method reduces the volatility of compounds, leading to their efficient condensation onto the column's stationary phase. The primary focus of the thesis is the development of a custom cryo-enrichment module to improve system efficiency and sensitivity. Multiple prototypes were constructed and evaluated, yielding significant improvements for gas chromatography. Notably, peak resolution increased up to 2.2 times, and the most optimal outcomes were achieved when cooling 95 cm of the column length, resulting in a 20-fold sensitivity boost. However, limitations were observed, particularly related to the analyte working range, where some compounds were not retained adequately due to insufficient cooling while others were retained excessively due to inadequate heating. The module was tested in various applications, such as method calibration, impurities analysis, fungicide analysis, and measuring terpenes in Cannabis Sativa biomass. This research shows that cryo-enrichment in gas chromatography holds potential for improving analysis, but it also recognizes the necessity for more refinement and practical application. |
