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This web page's content and links are no longer actively maintained. It is available for reference purposes only. NASA Official: Dr. Paul Mahaffy
 

Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer

Gas Chromatograph

The gas chromatograph is essentially a filter. It separates compounds present in the gas mixture. There are 3 basic components to a gas chromatograph:

  1. Carrier gas supply: a gas of specific type and pressure to seperate the components present in a gaseous mixture
  2. Sample introduction system: where sample is taken into the system
  3. Detection system: gives a signal that tells scientists what gases are present
Gas Chromatograph Schematic

Next: GC Carrier Gas

Explanation Index



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Gas Chromatograph image is courtesy of the University of Washington