Planar microfluidic devices in flow modulated comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography for challenging petrochemical applications

Two three-port planar microfluidic devices are successfully configured for use as a modulator to carry out flow modulated comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. A low thermal mass column module is employed to provide independent temperature control for each separation dimension in the analytical system in some of the applications described. The utility of the analytical system is demonstrated with a number of difficult petrochemical applications comprising analytes that possess a wide range of boiling points; from natural gas to crude oil. A variety of columns with different selectivities and separation mechanisms in the categories of porous layer open tubular and wall-coated open tubular are employed for the applications described. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.