The Fundamentals Of Pipeline Gas Chromatographs

摘要

While the gas chromatograph is the most widely used analytical device for determining physical properties of pipeline natural gas, it is also the most misunderstood. Understanding how the GC works will provide the basis for the design and operation of GC systems in the field. The first step is to ensure the sample delivered to the GC is clean, dry and representative of the flowing gas. The GC will then separate the components through the columns and analytical valves before passing each component separately over the detector. The GC controller uses the detector output to determine the concentration of each of the components and calculates the various physical properties such as energy content and density from this concentration. The ability to measure each of the components of the gas mixture is unique to the GC and ensures that we will continue to see them on gas pipelines for many years to come.