Evaluation of a rotary valve/cold trap/reinjection system for capillary columns

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes a cold trap/reinjection system for capillary columns which utilizes a flow switching rotary valve. Sample enrichment is performed in a liquid nitrogen‐cooled glass trap attached to the valve. Evaporation of enriched compounds is carried out with the aid of an electric heating coil. Parameters such as cryogenic trapping efficiency, reinjection rates, transference of sample, and adsorption, as well as overall performance, are examined. In addition, a comparison is made between the cold trap/reinjection technique and injection with a gas‐tight syringe.