Patent ID: 7260978
Filing Date: 2007-08-28
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A gas chromatography/mass spectrometry system, comprising: first and second sample introduction parts for introducing sample gases, said first sample introduction part having a carrier gas supply for introducing a carrier gas, and said second sample introduction part having a carrier gas supply for introducing a carrier gas; a gas chromatography part comprising a first column for separating a sample component from said sample gas introduced from said first sample introduction part; a second column for separating a sample component from said sample gas introduced from said second sample introduction part; and a column oven capable of housing said first and second columns in a parallel configuration; an interface part comprising a temperature maintenance block, through which an outlet end of each of said first and second columns is inserted; and a mass spectrometry part, comprising an ionization chamber to which said outlet ends of said first and second columns inserted through said interface part are connected; a mass separation part for mass-separating ions produced inside said ionization chamber; a detector for detecting said mass-separated ions; and a vacuum chamber for housing under a vacuum said ionization chamber, said mass separation part, and said detector, said outlet ends of said first and second columns located in the ionization chamber being under the vacuum, wherein said carrier gas supply of the first sample introduction part is arranged to supply the carrier gas for protection of the first column when said second column is operated, and said carrier gas supply of the second sample introduction part is arranged to supply the carrier gas for protection of the second column when said first column is operated.