Patent ID: 8613215

Claim:
An apparatus for two-dimensional gas chromatography, comprising: a valve including first and second positions, and first, second, third, and fourth flow paths, wherein the valve, while in the first position, is configured to: collect a first gas sample from a first dimension gas chromatography column via the first flow path; provide a connection between a first pressure source and a first, second dimension gas chromatography column via the second flow path; provide a connection between a second pressure source and a second, second dimension gas chromatography column via the third flow path; and maintain the fourth flow path in a disconnected state; and wherein the valve, while in the second position, is configured to: introduce the first collected gas sample in the first flow path to the second, second dimension gas chromatography column via the first flow path, with aid of the second pressure source; collect a second gas sample from the first dimension gas chromatography column via the second flow path; provide a connection between the first pressure source and the first, second dimension gas chromatography column via the fourth flow path; and maintain the third flow path in a disconnected state; an injector coupled to an inlet of the first dimension gas chromatography column for injecting a gas to be analyzed into the first dimension gas chromatography column; a first restrictor coupled to the valve for restricting the gas injected into the first dimension gas chromatography column by the injector to increase a compression ratio in the first dimension gas chromatography column; a first detector coupled to an outlet of the first, second dimension gas chromatography column for performing gas chromatography detection in the first, second dimension gas chromatography column; a second restrictor coupled to the first detector for restricting gas in the first, second dimension gas chromatography column to increase a compression ratio in the first, second dimension gas chromatography column; a second detector coupled to an outlet of the second, second dimension gas chromatography column for performing gas chromatography detection in the second, second dimension gas chromatography column; and a third restrictor coupled to the second detector for restricting gas in the second, second dimension gas chromatography column to increase a compression ratio in the second, second dimension gas chromatography column.