Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a chromatography column adaptor for forming a fluidic connection between a chromatography column and a GC component. The present disclosure also relates to fluidic connections for a gas chromatography system.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyether polyol includes reacting a low molecular weight initiator with one or more monomers in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, and the low molecular weight initiator has a nominal hydroxyl functionality of at least 2. The one or more monomers includes at least one selected from propylene oxide and butylene oxide. The polymerization catalyst is a Lewis acid catalyst having the general formula M(R1)1(R2)1(R3)1(R4)0 or 1, whereas M is boron, aluminum, indium, bismuth or erbium, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independent, R1 includes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group, R2 incudes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group or a fluoro/chloro-substituted phenyl group, R3 includes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group or a fluoro/chloro-substituted phenyl group, and optional R4 includes a functional group or functional polymer group, R1 being different from at least one of R2 and R3.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyether polyol includes reacting a low molecular weight initiator with ethylene oxide in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, and the low molecular weight initiator has a nominal hydroxyl functionality at least 2. The polymerization catalyst is a Lewis acid catalyst having the general formula M(R1)1(R2)1(R3)1(R4)0 or 1, whereas M is boron, aluminum, indium, bismuth or erbium, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independent, R1 includes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group, R2 incudes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group or a fluoro/chloro-substituted phenyl group, R3 includes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group or a fluoro/chloro-substituted phenyl group, and optional R4 includes a functional group or functional polymer group, R1 being different from at least one of R2 and R3.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for a gas chromatography column is described. The GC column heating apparatus includes a conical heater assembly comprising a heating element between an inner layer and an outer layer. The apparatus can also include optionally an outer cowl and/or an inner cowl surrounding the conical heater assembly. The conical heater assembly rapidly increases the temperature of the column by conductive heating. The selection of shape (in particular, the cone angle of a conical heater) and materials allows the GC column to adapt to expansion that occurs upon heating. A gas chromatography (GC) column heating and cooling apparatus is also described, in which the heater and outer cowl define a flowpath through which a cooling fluid can pass and cool the GC column.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first column heating apparatus, which includes: a first substrate; a second substrate including silicon; and a first heating element disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The apparatus also includes a second column heating apparatus, which includes: a third substrate; a fourth substrate including silicon; and a second heating element disposed between the third substrate and the fourth substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a GC column is described. The apparatus includes first and second temperature sensors. Temperature data are used to set power provided to a heating element of the apparatus.

Abstract: A gas chromatography (GC) column heating apparatus is described. The GC column heating apparatus includes a first substrate; a heating element disposed over the first substrate; and a second substrate. A gas chromatography (GC) column heating and cooling apparatus is also described. The GC column cooling and heating apparatus includes a housing configured to receive a heating apparatus, the heating apparatus comprising a first side and a second side; a first thermal insulation layer disposed over the first side; a second thermal insulation layer disposed over the second side; and an actuator connected to the housing and configured to move the first and second thermal insulation layers in contact with the first and second sides, respectively, during a heating sequence, and to move the first and second layers of insulation out of contact with the first and second sides, respectively, during a cooling sequence.

Abstract: A representative embodiment is directed to a fitting for fluidically coupling a GC column to another structure. The fitting comprises: a first end configured to receive a ferrule having a tubular element disposed therein, the tubular element being oriented in a first direction; and a second end fluidically connected to the first end and having an opening to provide a fluid from the tubular element in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The second end comprises a substantially planar portion, and the planar portion is configured to make a substantially gas impermeable seal with another element of a GC system.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for a gas chromatography column is described. The GC column heating apparatus includes a conical heater assembly comprising a heating element between an inner layer and an outer layer. The apparatus can also include optionally an outer cowl and/or an inner cowl surrounding the conical heater assembly. The conical heater assembly rapidly increases the temperature of the column by conductive heating. The selection of shape (in particular, the cone angle of a conical heater) and materials allows the GC column to adapt to expansion that occurs upon heating. A gas chromatography (GC) column heating and cooling apparatus is also described, in which the heater and outer cowl define a flowpath through which a cooling fluid can pass and cool the GC column.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for controlling depressurization of a vial containing a gas sample. The disclosed systems and methods are employed during sampling and/or analysis of the gas sample. One exemplary method for controlling depressurization of a vial containing a gas sample includes establishing fluid communication between a sample loop of a head space sampling device and the head space of the vial. A sample gas pressure is established within the head space of the vial. The sample loop is connected in fluid communication with a lower pressure environment through a ventilation pathway. A ventilation valve within the ventilation pathway is used to vent gas from the vial through the sample loop to the lower pressure environment at a predetermined rate. Devices and systems for depressurizing a vial containing a gas sample at a predetermined rate are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first column heating apparatus, which includes: a first substrate; a second substrate including silicon; and a first heating element disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The apparatus also includes a second column heating apparatus, which includes: a third substrate; a fourth substrate including silicon; and a second heating element disposed between the third substrate and the fourth substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a GC column is described. The apparatus includes first and second temperature sensors. Temperature data are used to set power provided to a heating element of the apparatus.

Abstract: A gas chromatography (GC) column heating apparatus is described. The GC column heating apparatus includes a first substrate; a heating element disposed over the first substrate; and a second substrate. A gas chromatography (GC) column heating and cooling apparatus is also described. The GC column cooling and heating apparatus includes a housing configured to receive a heating apparatus, the heating apparatus comprising a first side and a second side; a first thermal insulation layer disposed over the first side; a second thermal insulation layer disposed over the second side; and an actuator connected to the housing and configured to move the first and second thermal insulation layers in contact with the first and second sides, respectively, during a heating sequence, and to move the first and second layers of insulation out of contact with the first and second sides, respectively, during a cooling sequence.

Abstract: A method for semi-automatically generating configuration information for a gas chromatograph uses an identification device reader of the gas chromatograph to 1) determine a presence and location of sample flow component identification devices in or on identification device holders that hold the sample flow component identification devices; 2) read information from sample flow component identification devices held in the identification device holders; and 3) output configuration information for the gas chromatograph. The configuration information is based on the presence and location of particular sample flow component identification devices in or on particular identification device holders, and on associations of particular identification device holders with particular sample flow component connections to the gas chromatograph. The configuration information indicates if and how sample flow components are connected to the gas chromatograph.

Abstract: A representative embodiment is directed to a fitting for fluidically coupling a GC column to another structure. The fitting comprises: a first end configured to receive a ferrule having a tubular element disposed therein, the tubular element being oriented in a first direction; and a second end fluidically connected to the first end and having an opening to provide a fluid from the tubular element in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The second end comprises a substantially planar portion, and the planar portion is configured to make a substantially gas impermeable seal with another element of a GC system.

Abstract: An inlet liner is provided for use in an inlet assembly of a chromatograph system. The inlet liner has an elongate tube that extends along a longitudinal axis and defines a bore that extends along the longitudinal axis and has an inner bore surface. At least one projection extends from the inner bore surface into the bore. Chromatograph systems are provided including the exemplary inlet liner(s). Methods are also provided for analyzing a sample containing a matrix in a chromatograph system having an inlet assembly connected to a chromatograph column. The method includes positioning an exemplary inlet liner in the inlet assembly, flowing the sample through the inlet liner, and adhering a portion of the matrix to a projection surface of at least one projection of the inlet liner.

Abstract: A method for semi-automatically generating configuration information for a gas chromatograph uses an identification device reader of the gas chromatograph to 1) determine a presence and location of sample flow component identification devices in or on identification device holders that hold the sample flow component identification devices; 2) read information from sample flow component identification devices held in the identification device holders; and 3) output configuration information for the gas chromatograph. The configuration information is based on the presence and location of particular sample flow component identification devices in or on particular identification device holders, and on associations of particular identification device holders with particular sample flow component connections to the gas chromatograph. The configuration information indicates if and how sample flow components are connected to the gas chromatograph.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to facilitate the transfer of baggage on conveyor systems at the junction between a sort conveyor and a take-away conveyor. The transfer apparatus includes a sweeper arm that rotates across the sort conveyor to sweep a baggage article thereon toward the take-away conveyor. The sweeper arm translates linearly relative to the sort conveyor so that the baggage remains in continuous contact with the sweeper arm. The rotation of the arm is coordinated with the translation so that the baggage will be fully diverted from the sort conveyor by the time the sweeper arm reaches the end of its translation.

Abstract: A luggage conveyor system includes a frame, a plurality of pallets movably supported by the frame each having a load carrying surface configured to convey luggage thereon, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a chain formed by a plurality of chain links connected to each other. At least one chain link of the plurality of chain links is coupled to one of the plurality of pallets. The drive assembly further includes a motor-driven drive wheel, and a plurality of driven wheels coupled to and driven by the drive wheel. The plurality of driven wheels are arranged such that at least two of the driven wheels simultaneously contact the same one of the plurality of chain links to frictionally drive the chain.

Abstract: An inlet liner is provided for use in an inlet assembly of a chromatograph system. The inlet liner has an elongate tube that extends along a longitudinal axis and defines a bore that extends along the longitudinal axis and has an inner bore surface. At least one projection extends from the inner bore surface into the bore. Chromatograph systems are provided including the exemplary inlet liner(s). Methods are also provided for analyzing a sample containing a matrix in a chromatograph system having an inlet assembly connected to a chromatograph column. The method includes positioning an exemplary inlet liner in the inlet assembly, flowing the sample through the inlet liner, and adhering a portion of the matrix to a projection surface of at least one projection of the inlet liner.