Patent Publication Number: US-2023152281-A1

Title: Gas chromatograph device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-188010 filed on Nov. 18, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a gas chromatograph device. 
     Description of the Related Application 
     For example, in a gas chromatograph device as described in Patent Document 1 listed below, it is possible to perform a temperature-rising analysis by introducing a sample from a sample vaporization chamber into a column and detecting the sample components separated by the column while increasing the temperature of the column within a column oven. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-009459 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     In the above-described gas chromatograph device, it is also possible to repeatedly perform a temperature-rising analysis. In this case, after the temperature-rising analysis, a heating target in the column oven is cooled to a target temperature, and then the following temperature-rising analysis is performed while heating the heating target in the column oven again after the equilibration time has elapsed. One exemplary heating target includes, for example, a column and a sample introduction unit. The equilibration time denotes a wait time until the temperature is equilibrated and can be set as a parameter in advance by a user. 
     In a case where the equilibration time is set to be shorter than an appropriate time, a good analysis result may not be obtained because the next temperature-rising analysis is started prior to the temperature of the entire heating target has stabilized. 
     Further, in a case where the equilibration time is set to be longer than an appropriate time, the time to complete the repeated temperature-rising analyses will be wastefully long. 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas chromatograph device capable of appropriately determining that a temperature of an entire heating target has stabilized after cooling the heating target in a column oven to a target temperature after a temperature-rising analysis. 
     Means for Solving the Problem 
     One aspect of the present invention relates to a gas chromatograph device capable of performing a temperature-rising analysis in which a sample is introduced from a sample introduction unit to a column to detect sample components separated by the column while raising a temperature of the column in a column oven. The gas chromatograph device is provided with a heater, a cooling mechanism, a temperature sensor, a temperature control unit, and a determination processing unit. The heater is configured to heat a heating target in the column oven. The cooling mechanism is configured to cool the inside of the column oven. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the heating target. The temperature control unit is configured to cool an inside of the column oven using the cooling mechanism upon completion of the temperature-rising analysis and heat the heating target using the heater upon reaching of a detection temperature of the temperature sensor to a target temperature. The determination processing unit is configured to determine whether or not a temperature of an entirety of the heating target has stabilized based on power consumption of the heater upon reaching of the detection temperature of the temperature sensor to the target temperature. 
     Effects of the Invention 
     According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately determine that the temperature of the entire heating target has stabilized after cooling the heating target in the column oven to a target temperature after a temperature-rising analysis. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of example, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures. 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of a configuration of a gas chromatograph device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram illustrating one example of an electric configuration of the gas chromatograph device according to the embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is one example of a graph for explaining heating processing and cooling processing according to the embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is one example of a graph for explaining heating processing according to the embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a block diagram specifically illustrating an electric configuration of the gas chromatograph device according to the embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a flowchart showing one example of the stabilization processing performed by a CPU according to the embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a flowchart showing one example of the instruction outputting processing performed by a CPU according to the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     In the following paragraphs, some preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example and not limitation. It should be understood based on this disclosure that various other modifications can be made by those in the art based on these illustrated embodiments. 
     1. Configuration of Gas Chromatograph Device 
       FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of the configuration of a gas chromatograph device  10  according to this embodiment. The gas chromatograph device  10  includes a pretreatment unit  12  and a gas chromatograph unit  14 . The pretreatment unit  12  and the gas chromatograph unit  14  are communicatively connected. 
     For example, the pretreatment unit  12  and the gas chromatograph unit  14  may be communicatively connected to each other in a wired manner, such as, e.g., by a cable, or may be communicatively connected by a short-range wireless communication, such as, e.g., an infrared communication or Bluetooth (registered mark). 
     The pretreatment unit  12  includes an automated sample injector (not shown) for automatically injecting a liquid sample in a sample container into the gas chromatograph unit  14  while holding a plurality of sample containers. In addition, in the pretreatment unit  12 , a plurality of reagent containers can be held. The pretreatment unit  12  is capable of pretreating a liquid sample using a liquid reagent in a reagent container and then injecting the pretreated liquid sample into the gas chromatograph unit  14 . 
     In the pretreatment unit  12 , a liquid can be sucked and injected via a needle. In the pretreatment unit  12 , a pretreated liquid sample can be sucked through the needle, and the liquid sample thereof can be injected into a sample vaporization chamber  20  in a sample introduction unit  18  (which will be described later) of the gas chromatograph unit  14 . In other words, the pretreatment unit  12  can perform a pretreatment to a liquid sample and supply the pretreated liquid sample to the sample vaporization chamber  20  in the sample introduction unit  18 . 
     The gas chromatograph unit  14  is provided with a column oven  16 , a sample introduction unit  18 , a column  22 , a fan  24 , a detector  26 , and the like, which are accommodated in a housing. 
     In the temperature-controllable column oven  16 , the sample introduction unit  18 , the column  22 , the fan  24 , the detector  26 , and the like are provided. Specifically, as for the sample introduction unit  18  and the detector  26 , the part thereof is provided in the column oven  16 . 
     The sample introduction unit  18  is a sample introduction unit (SPL) for introducing a carrier gas and a sample gas into the column  22  and is provided with a septum (not shown). Further, a sample vaporization chamber  20  is formed inside the sample introduction unit  18 . As for the sample vaporization chamber  20 , it is provided in the column oven  16  in the same manner as in the sample introduction unit  18 . 
     Further, the sample introduction unit  18  is provided with the heater  42 . Specifically, a first heater  42   a  included in the heater  42  is provided in the sample introduction unit  18 . The first heater  42   a  heats the sample introduction unit  18 . Therefore, the liquid sample injected into the sample vaporization chamber  20  is vaporized by the heat from the first heater  42   a.    
     Further, the sample introduction unit  18  is provided with a temperature sensor  44 . Specifically, a first temperature sensor  44   a  included in the temperature sensor  44  is provided in the sample introduction unit  18 . The temperature of the sample introduction unit  18  is detected by the first temperature sensor  44   a.    
     The sample vaporization chamber  20  is in communication with a gas supply flow path  28  and a split flow path  30 . The gas supply flow path  28  is a flow path for supplying a carrier gas into the sample vaporization chamber  20  of the sample introduction unit  18 . 
     The split flow path  30  is a flow path for discharging a part of the gas (a mixed gas of a carrier gas and a sample gas) in the sample vaporization chamber  20  to the outside at a predetermined split rate when introducing the carrier gas and the vaporized liquid sample (sample gas) into the column  22  by a split introduction method. 
     With the above-described configuration, according to the sample introduction unit  18 , the sample gas is introduced into the column  22  together with the carrier gas. 
     Further, in the column oven  16 , the heater  42  is provided. Specifically, a second heater  42   b  included in the heater  42  is provided in the column oven  16 . The second heater  42   b  heats the column  22 . 
     Specifically, in accordance with the heat generation of the second heater  42   b,  the fan  24  is rotated. Therefore, the air heated by the second heater  42   b  circulates in the column oven  16 . With this, the column  22  is heated. 
     Further, a temperature sensor  44  is provided in the column oven  16 . Specifically, a second temperature sensor  44   b  included in the temperature sensor  44  is provided in the column oven  16 . The second temperature sensor  44   b  detects the temperature of the column  22 . 
     When the sample gas is introduced into the heated column  22 , the sample components contained in the sample gas are separated by components. Note that the column  22  is a general-purpose column, such as, e.g., a capillary column. 
     The detector  26  is provided for sequentially detecting various components separated by the column  22 . The detector  26  is configured by, for example, a hydrogen flame ionization detector (FID). 
     Further, the detector  26  is provided with a heater  42 . Specifically, a third heater  42   c  included in the heater  42  is provided on the detector  26 . The third heater  42   c  heats the detector  26 . 
     Further, the detector  26  is provided with a temperature sensor  44 . Specifically, a third temperature sensor  44   c  included in the temperature sensor  44  is provided on the detector  26 . The third temperature sensor  44   c  detects the temperature of the detector  26 . 
     Further, the column oven  16  is provided with an air inlet flap  34  for opening and closing an air inlet port  32  and an air outlet flap  38  for opening and closing an air outlet port  36 . When heating the column  22 , the air inlet flap  34  and the air outlet flap  38  are closed. 
     On the other hand, when cooling the inside of the column oven  16 , the air inlet flap  34  and the air outlet flap  38  are opened from the closed state. The fan  24  is always rotating, and when cooling the inside of the column oven  16 , the air taken in from the air inlet port  32  deprives the heat in the column oven  16 . The heat-deprived air in the column oven  16  is discharged from the air outlet port  36 . 
     From these, it can be said that the fan  24 , the air inlet flap  34 , and the air outlet flap  38  serve as a cooling mechanism  40  for cooling the inside of the column oven  16 . 
     According to such a gas chromatograph device  10 , it is possible to perform a temperature-rising analysis which is an analysis in which a sample gas is introduced into the column  22  and the sample components separated by the column  22  are detected by the detector  26  while increasing the temperature of the column  22  in the column oven  16 . 
     Further, the heater  42  can heat the heating target  46  in the column oven  16 . Furthermore, the temperature sensors  44  can detect the temperature of the heating target  46  in the column oven  16 . 
     In this embodiment, the heating target  46  includes at least one of the sample introduction unit  18 , the column  22 , and the detector  26 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the sample introduction unit  18 , the column  22 , and the detector  26  are all included in the heating target  46 . However, it should be noted that the heating target  46  is not limited to the sample introduction unit  18 , the column  22 , or the detector  26 . 
     2. Electrical Configuration of Gas Chromatograph Device 
       FIG.  2    is a block diagram showing one example of an electrical configuration of the gas chromatograph device  10  of this embodiment. As shown in  FIG.  2   , the gas chromatograph device  10  is provided, in addition to the cooling mechanism  40  and the like, with a control unit  50 , a power control circuit  58 , and the like. 
     Further, the control unit  50 , the pretreatment unit  12 , the power control circuit  58 , the first temperature sensor  44   a,  the second temperature sensor  44   b,  the third temperature sensor  44   c,  and the cooling mechanism  40  are electrically connected to each other via a circuit  60 , such as, e.g., a bus. Further, the power control circuit  58  is connected to the first heater  42   a,  the second heater  42   b,  and the third heater  42   c.    
     The control unit  50  is responsible for the overall control of the gas chromatograph device  10 . The control unit  50  is provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  52 . The control unit  50  is provided with a RAM (Random Access Memory)  54  and a storage unit  56  to which the CPU  52  is directly accessible. 
     The CPU  52  controls each component of the gas chromatograph device  10 . The RAM  54  is used as a work area and a buffer area of the CPU  52 . The storage unit  56  is a non-volatile memory. For example, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) is used as the storage unit  56 . 
     The storage unit  56  stores control programs for controlling each component of the gas chromatograph device  10 , data (execution data) required for executing the control programs, and the like. Note that the storage unit  56  may be configured to include the RAM  54 . 
     The power control circuit  58  is a circuit for supplying power to each of the first heater  42   a,  the second heater  42   b,  and the third heater  42   c.  That is, the power control circuit  58  is a circuit for controlling each of the first heater  42   a,  the second heater  42   b,  and the third heater  42   c.    
     Although not shown, the gas chromatograph device  10  is provided with an operation accepting unit for accepting an operation from a user and a display unit that is a general-purpose display. 
     3. Temperature Control of Heating Target 
     In the gas chromatograph device  10  of this embodiment, the temperature of the heating target  46  is controlled upon completion of the temperature-rising analysis. Hereinafter, the thermal control of the heating target  46  will be described in detail. In this embodiment, cooling processing is executed upon completion of the temperature-rising analysis. In the cooling processing, the inside of the column oven  16  is cooled using the cooling mechanism  40 . 
     According to the cooling processing, the sample introduction unit  18 , the column  22 , the detector  26 , and the like in the column oven  16  are cooled. Further, as for the sample introduction unit  18  and the detector  26 , cooling is performed by the outside air of the column oven  16 , in addition to the cooling mechanism  40 . 
     Further, in the gas chromatograph device  10  of this embodiment, heating processing is performed after the cooling processing. In the heating processing, upon reaching of the detection temperature of the temperature sensor  44  to a target temperature after the cooling processing, the heating target  46  in the column oven  16  is heated. 
     Further, upon starting the heating processing, the cooling processing is terminated. That is, the time (cooling time) during which the cooling processing is performed is the time from the completion of the temperature-rising analysis to reaching of the detection temperature of the temperature sensor  44  to the target temperature. In the heating processing, the heater  42  is controlled such that the detection temperature of the temperature sensor  44  is maintained at the target temperature. 
     In the heating processing, for example, upon reaching of the detection temperature of the first temperature sensor  44   a  to the target temperature, the sample introduction unit  18  in the column oven  16  is heated. The control of the second temperature sensor  44   b  based on the detection temperature of the second heater  42   b  and the control of the third heater  42   c  based on the detection temperature of the third temperature sensor  44   c  are the same as in the case of the first heater  42   a,  and therefore, the following description will be directed only to the control of the first heater  42   a.    
     Further, in this embodiment, determination processing is executed along with the thermal control of the heating target  46 . In the determination processing, after the initiation of the heating processing, i.e., upon reaching of the detection temperature of the temperature sensor  44  to the target temperature, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the heating target  46  has stabilized based on the power consumption of the heater  42 . 
     In the determination processing, for example, after the initiation of heating the sample introduction unit  18  by the heating processing, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the entire sample introduction unit  18  has stabilized, based on the power consumption of the first heater  42   a.  Note that the entire sample introduction unit  18  denotes a concept including not only the periphery of the first temperature sensor  44   a  but also a position farthest from the first temperature sensor  44   a  in the sample introduction unit  18 . This is also applied to the column  22  and the detector  26 . 
       FIG.  3    is one example of a graph for explaining the heating processing and the cooling processing according to this embodiment.  FIG.  4    is one example of a diagram for explaining the heating processing according to this embodiment.  FIG.  4    is a partially enlarged view of  FIG.  3   .  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4    show graphs corresponding to the sample introduction unit  18 . 
     In  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the broken line shows the detection temperature of the first temperature sensor  44   a.  The dashed-dotted line shows the reference temperature. The reference temperature is the temperature of the portion away from the first temperature sensor  44   a  of the sample introduction unit  18 . The reference temperature was detected by providing an experimental temperature sensor in addition to the first temperature sensor  44   a.  The solid line shows the duty ratio of the power consumption of the first heater  42   a.    
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , after completion of the temperature-rising analysis, cooling processing and heating processing are performed in this order. The heating processing is started upon reaching of the detection temperature of the first temperature sensor  44   a  to the target temperature. Therefore, immediately after the initiation of the heating processing, the detection temperature of the first temperature sensor  44   a  is the same as the target temperature. 
     Further, in the heating processing, the first heater  42   a  is controlled such that the detection temperature of the first temperature sensor  44   a  is maintained at the target temperature. Therefore, the temperature (detection temperature) in the vicinity of the first temperature sensor  44   a  of the sample introduction unit  18  is stable. 
     On the other hand, a large number of metallic members are used in the sample introduction unit  18 , and therefore, the temperature of the portion away from the first temperature sensor  44   a  of the sample introduction unit  18  gradually decreases by the outside air or the like of the column oven  16 . Therefore, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , although the detection temperature is maintained at the target temperature, the reference temperature decreases slightly. 
     Further, in the heating processing, the detection temperature is tried to be maintained to the target temperature while the heat of the sample introduction unit  18  is deprived. Therefore, the duty ratio of the power consumption of the first heater  42   a  increases. 
     Furthermore, the duty ratio of the power consumption of the first heater  42   a  gradually stabilizes while increasing. This is because the sample introduction unit  18  is heated to such an extent that the entire temperature is stable even when the sample introduction unit  18  is influenced by the outside air outside the column oven  16 . Therefore, in the example shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , as the duty ratio of the power consumption of the first heater  42   a  stabilizes, the reference temperature also stabilizes. 
     Therefore, in the example shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , when the variation of the duty ratio of the power consumption of the first heater  42   a,  specifically, the variation of the duty ratio in a predetermined time, has become equal to or less than a threshold, it can be determined that the temperature of the entire sample introduction unit  18  has stabilized. 
     Further, these can also be applied to the case of heating the column  22  by the second heater  42   b  or the case of heating the detector  26  by the third heater  42   c,  in the heating processing. 
     In the above-described example, when the variation of the duty ratio of the power consumption of the heater  42  has become equal to or less than the threshold, it is determined that the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has stabilized. However, when the duty ratio of the power consumption of the heater  42  has become equal to or greater than the threshold, it may be determined that the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has stabilized. Note that the duty ratio of the power consumption of the heater  42  is, for example, a duty ratio of the voltage applied to the heater  42 . 
     Further, for example, in a case where the duty ratio of the power consumption of the heater  42  has become equal to or higher than a first threshold and that the variation of the duty ratio has become equal to or lower than a second threshold, it may be determined that the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has stabilized. 
     Furthermore, it may be determined that the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has stabilized simply based on the power consumption of the heater  42  instead of the duty ratio of the power consumption of the heater  42 . 
     The time after the initiation of the heating processing until it is determined that the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has stabilized is the equilibration time in this embodiment. Since it can be determined that the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has stabilized after the temperature-rising analysis as described above, the following temperature-rising analysis can be performed after the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has stabilized. In other words, in the repeated temperature-rising analyses, it is possible to suppress the time required for the repeated temperature-rising analyses from becoming unnecessarily longer while obtaining good analytical results. 
     In addition, since it is possible to determine whether or note the the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has stabilized, in the case of repeatedly performing the temperature-rising analysis, it is unnecessary to set a parameter, such as, e.g., a equilibration time, in advance, and therefore, unnecessary efforts can be saved. 
     Further, in a case where there is a plurality of heating targets  46 , after the temperature of each of the entire heating targets  46  has stabilized, the following temperature-rising analysis can be performed. For example, in a case where the heating target  46  includes the sample introduction unit  18 , the column  22 , and the detector  26 , particularly good analytical results can be obtained. 
     Further, in this embodiment, in a case where the temperature-rising analysis is repeatedly performed, the information (stabilization period information) on the stabilization period immediately after the first temperature-rising analysis may be stored in the storage unit  56 . The stabilization period denotes a period from the start of the cooling processing, i.e., the start of cooling by the cooling mechanism  40 , until it is determined that the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has stabilized. It should be noted that the stabilization period can be said to be the time from the completion of the temperature-rising analysis until it is determined that the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has stabilized. 
     For example, in a case where the heating target  46  includes the sample introduction unit  18 , the column  22 , and the detector  26 , the stabilization period is the time from when the cooling processing is started until it is determined that the temperatures of the entire sample introduction unit  18 , column  22 , and detector  26  have stabilized. Compared with the column  22  (capillary column) having a small heat capacity, the sample introduction unit  18  and the detector  26  have a large heat capacity and tend to have a long stabilization period. 
     In this embodiment, in a case where stabilization period information is stored in the storage unit  56 , the start of the pretreatment to the sample for the following temperature-rising analysis is instructed to the pretreatment unit  12  so that the pretreatment to the sample for the following temperature-rising analysis is completed at the timing corresponding to the end timing of the stabilization period. Specifically, the waiting time is calculated by subtracting the time (pretreatment time) required for the pretreatment from the stabilization period (cooling time+equilibration time) stored in the storage unit  56 , and the start of the pretreatment to the sample for the next temperature-rising analysis is instructed to the pretreatment unit  12  at a timing at which the waiting time elapses after the start of the cooling processing. With this, at the same time as the timing of the completion of the stabilization period, the following temperature-rising analysis can be started. Note that in a case where the stabilization period information is not stored in the storage unit  56 , an instruction to start the pretreatment to the sample for the following temperature-rising analysis is given to the pretreatment unit  12  in the same manner as in a conventional art. 
     However, the start timing of the following temperature-rising analysis is not limited to the end timing of the stabilization period, and may be performed before or after the end timing. That is, the timing corresponding to the end timing of the stabilization period includes the timing before and after the end timing. Therefore, the timing at which the pretreatment to the sample for the following temperature-rising analysis is completed may be before and after the end timing of the stabilization period. 
     In the pretreatment unit  12 , when the liquid sample is subjected to the pretreatment, as described above, a pretreatment is performed on the liquid sample using a liquid reagent. In a case where the timing at which the temperature-rising analysis to the sample for the following pretreatment is completed is prior to the stabilization period of the end timing, the pretreated liquid sample becomes a state of waiting for the temperature-rising analysis as it is. Thus, the analysis result may be adversely affected. 
     On the other hand, in a case where the timing of the completion of the pretreatment to the sample for the next pretreatment is after the end timing of the stabilization period, between the temperature-rising analyses, a standby time until the next temperature-rising analysis is started after the end of the stabilization period is required. For this reason, the time required for the following temperature-rising analysis to be repeatedly performed becomes wastefully long. 
     Therefore, it is preferable that the timing at which the pretreatment to the sample for the following temperature-rising analysis is completed be synchronized with the end timing of the stabilization period. 
     As described above, by storing the stabilization period information in the storage unit  56 , it is possible to complete the pretreatment to the sample for the following temperature-rising analysis at the timing corresponding to the end timing of the stabilization period. 
     3. Specific Electrical Configuration of Gas Chromatograph Device 
       FIG.  5    is a block diagram specifically showing the electrical configuration of the gas chromatograph device  10  of this embodiment. Note that in  FIG.  5   , the illustration of the storage unit  56  is omitted. 
     The RAM  54  stores executable data previously read out from the storage unit  56 . When storing the acquired data acquired by using a device, a sensor, or the like in the storage unit  56 , the acquired data is temporarily stored in the RAM  54 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG.  5   , the stabilization period data  62  and the instruction data  64  are stored in the RAM  54 . Although not shown, the RAM  54  stores the data, etc., required for the control of various components. 
     The stabilization period data  62  is data corresponding to the stabilization period information. The instruction data  64  is data corresponding to an instruction to be outputted to the pretreatment unit  12 . 
     The RAM  54  stores a control program (not shown) read out in advance from the storage unit  56 , and when the CPU  52  executes the control program, the control unit  50  functions as the temperature control unit  66 , the determination processing unit  70 , the storage processing unit  72 , and the instruction processing unit  74 . 
     The temperature control unit  66  cools the inside of the column oven  16  using the cooling mechanism  40  upon completion of the temperature-rising analysis, and heats the heating target  46  using the heater  42  upon reaching of the detection temperature of the temperature sensor  44  to the target temperature. The temperature control by the temperature control unit  66  is performed by a PID (Proportional Integral Differential) control. 
     Upon reaching of the detection temperature of the temperature sensor  44  to the target temperature, the determination processing unit  70  determines whether or not the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has stabilized based on the power consumption of the heater  42 . 
     In a case where the temperature-rising analysis is repeatedly performed, the storage processing unit  72  stores the stabilization period information on the first temperature-rising analysis as stabilization period data  62 . 
     The instruction processing unit  74  instructs the pretreatment unit  12  to initiate the pretreatment to the sample for the following temperature-rising analysis so that the pretreatment to the sample for the following temperature-rising analysis is completed at the timing corresponding to the end timing of the stabilization period. 
     4. Flow 
       FIG.  6    is a flowchart showing one example of temperature-rising analysis processing of the CPU  52  of this embodiment. The temperature-rising analysis processing is initiated, for example, in response to the fact that the gas chromatograph device  10  has accepted an operation for initiating the temperature-rising analysis. 
     In Step S 1 , the temperature-rising analysis is performed, and in Step S 2 , the inside of the column oven  16  is cooled. 
     In Step S 3 , it is determined whether or not the detection temperature of the temperature sensor  44  has reached the target temperature. When “NO” in Step S 3 , that is, when the detection temperature of the temperature sensor  44  has not reached the target temperature, the process returns to Step S 2 . On the other hand, when “YES” in Step S 3 , that is, when the detection temperature of the temperature sensor  44  has reached the target temperature, the process proceeds to Step S 4 . 
     In Step S 4 , the heating target  46  in the column oven  16  is heated. In Step S 5 , based on the power consumption of the heater  42 , it is determined whether or not the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has stabilized. When “NO” in Step S 5 , that is, when the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has not stabilized, the process returns to Step S 4 . On the other hand, when “YES” in Step S 5 , that is, when the temperature of the entire heating target  46  has stabilized, the process proceeds to Step S 6 . 
     In Step S 6 , it is determined whether or not the stabilization period data  62  is stored. When “NO” in Step S 6 , that is, when the stabilization period data  62  is not stored, the stabilization period data  62  is stored in Step S 7 , and the process proceeds to Step S 8 . On the other hand, when “YES” in Step S 6 , that is, when the stabilization period data  62  is stored, the process proceeds to Step S 8 . 
     In Step S 8 , it is determined whether or not the temperature-rising analysis is the last one out of the repeated temperature-rising analyses. When “NO” in Step S 8 , that is, when it is not the last temperature-rising analysis, the process returns to Step S 1 . On the other hand, when “YES” in Step S 8 , that is, when it is the last temperature-rising analysis, the temperature-rising analysis process is terminated. 
       FIG.  7    is a flowchart showing one example of instruction outputting processing of the CPU  52  of this embodiment. The instruction output processing is initiated, for example, in response to the fact that the gas chromatograph device  10  has received an operation to initiate the temperature-rising analysis 
     In Step S 10 , it is determined whether or not stabilization period data  62  is stored. When “NO” in Step S 10 , that is, when stabilization period data  62  is not stored, the process proceeds to Step S 12 . On the other hand, when “YES” in Step S 10 , that is, when the stabilization period data  62  is stored, the process proceeds to Step S 11 . 
     In Step S 11 , the stabilization period data  62  is referred to. In Step S 12 , it is determined whether or not an instruction is issued to the pretreatment unit  12 . When “NO” in Step S 12 , that is, when it is not the timing for issuing an instruction to the pretreatment unit  12 , the process returns to Step S 12 . On the other hand, when “YES” in Step S 12 , that is, when the timing of issuing an instruction to pretreatment unit  12  is determined, in Step S 13 , an instruction to perform a pretreatment to the liquid sample is issued to the pretreatment unit  12 . 
     In Step S 14 , it is determined whether or not the immediately preceding instruction to the pretreatment unit  12  is the last instruction. When “NO” in Step S 14 , that is, when the immediately preceding instruction to the pretreatment unit  12  is not the last instruction, the process returns to Step S 10 . On the other hand, when “YES” in Step S 14 , that is, when the immediately preceding instruction to the pretreatment unit  12  is the last instruction, the instruction outputting processing is terminated. 
     Note that each Step of the flow diagram shown in the above-described embodiment can be appropriately changed in the order of being processed as long as the same result can be obtained. 
     In addition, the electric configuration and the like described in the above-described embodiment are merely exemplary and can be appropriately changed in actual products. For example, in this embodiment, a case in which a sample is used as a liquid sample is exemplified, but the form of the sample is not particularly limited as long as the sample can be introduced from the sample introduction unit  18 . For example, in a case where a gaseous sample is used as a sample, the pretreatment unit  12  is configured to perform a pretreatment to the gaseous sample and supply the pretreated gaseous sample to the sample introduction unit  18 . In addition, in such a case, as the sample introduction unit  18 , a sample introduction unit of a type suitable for the gas sample, specifically, a type in which the sample vaporization chamber  20  is not formed, is used. 
     5. Aspects 
     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the plurality of exemplary embodiments described above is illustrative of the following aspects. 
     (Item 1) 
     A gas chromatograph device according to a first aspect of the present invention relates to a gas chromatograph device capable of performing a temperature-rising analysis in which a sample is introduced from a sample introduction unit to a column to detect sample components separated by the column while raising a temperature of the column in a column oven. The gas chromatograph device includes:
         a heater configured to heat a heating target in the column oven;   a cooling mechanism configured to cool an inside of the column oven;   a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the heating target;   a temperature control unit configured to cool the inside of the column oven using the cooling mechanism upon completion of the temperature-rising analysis and heat the heating target using the heater upon reaching of a detection temperature of the temperature sensor to a target temperature; and   a determination processing unit configured to determine whether or not temperature of an entirety of the heating target has stabilized based on power consumption of the heater upon reaching of the detection temperature of the temperature sensor to the target temperature.       

     According to the gas chromatograph device as recited in the above-described Item 1, after the heating target in the column oven is cooled to the target temperature after the temperature-rising analysis, it is possible to appropriately determine that the temperature of the entire heating target has stabilized based on the power consumption of the heater. As a result, the following temperature-rising analysis can be performed after the entire heating target has stabilized. Further, since the temperature-rising analysis can be performed after the temperature of the entire heating target has stabilized, it is possible to suppress the time required for the repeated temperature-rising analyses from becoming unnecessarily long while obtaining good analytical results in the repeated temperature-rising analyses. 
     (Item 2) 
     In the gas chromatograph device as recited in claim  1 , it may be further provided with:
         a storage processing unit configured to store information on a stabilization period that is a period from start of cooling by the cooling mechanism until the determination processing unit determines that the temperature of the entirety of the heating target has stabilized.       

     According to the gas chromatograph device described in the above-described Item 2, information on the stabilization period can be stored. Further, since the information on the stabilization period can be stored, the information can be used for the following temperature-rising analysis. 
     (Item 3) 
     In the gas chromatograph device as recited in the above-described Item 2, it may be further provided with:
         a pretreatment unit configured to perform a pretreatment to a sample and supply the pretreated sample to the sample introduction unit; and   an instruction processing unit configured to instruct start of the pretreatment to a sample for a following temperature-rising analysis to the pretreatment unit so that the pretreatment to the sample for the temperature-rising analysis is completed at an end timing of the stabilization period.       

     According to the gas chromatograph device as recited in the above-described Item 3, since the pretreatment to the sample for the next temperature-rising analysis is completed at the timing corresponding to the end timing of the stabilization period, it is possible to minimize the waiting time from when the pretreatment to sample is completed until the temperature-rising analysis to the sample is started. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the time required for the repeated temperature-rising analyses from becoming unnecessarily long. Further, since it is possible to suppress the pretreated sample from becoming in a state of waiting for the temperature-rising analysis as it is, a better analytical result can b obtained. 
     (Item 4) 
     In the gas chromatograph device as recited in any one of the above-described Items 1 to 3, the determination processing unit may determine that the temperature of the entirety of the heating target has stabilized when a variation of a duty ratio of the power consumption of the heater has become equal to or less than a threshold. 
     According to the gas chromatograph device as recited in the above-described Item 4, it is possible to appropriately determine that the temperature of the entire heating target has stabilized based on the fact that the variation of the duty ratio of the power consumption of the heater is less than or equal to the threshold. 
     (Item 5) 
     In the gas chromatograph device as recited in any one of the above-described Items 1 to 3, the determination processing unit may determine that the temperature of the entirety of the heating target has stabilized when a variation of a duty ratio of the power consumption of the heater has become equal to or larger than a threshold. 
     According to the gas chromatograph device described in the above-described Item 5, it is possible to appropriately determine that the temperature of the entire heating target has stabilized based on the fact that the duty ratio of the power consumption of heater is equal to or higher than the threshold. 
     (Item 6) 
     In the gas chromatograph device as recited in any one of claims  1  to  5 , the heating target may include at least one of the sample introduction unit, the column, and the detector 
     According to the gas chromatograph device as recited in the above-described Item 6, it is possible to appropriately determine that, after the temperature-rising analysis, at least one of the sample introduction unit, the column, and the detector has entirely stabilized in the temperature.