Time-temperature superimposed module

The ability of a GC column to theoretically separate a multitude of components is normally defined by the capacity of the column. Component boiling point will be an initial property that determines relative component retention. Superimposed on this primary consideration is then the phase selectivity, which allows solutes of similar boiling point or volatility to be differentiated. In GC X GC, capacity is now defined in terms of the separation space available (11). As shown below, this space is an area determined by (a) the time of the modulation period (defined further below), which corresponds to an elution property on the second column, and (b) the elution time on the first column. In the normal experiment, the fast elution on the second column is conducted almost instantaneously, so will be essentially carried out under isothermal conditions, although the oven is temperature programmed. Thus, compounds will have an approximately constant peak width in the first dimension, but their widths in the second dimension will depend on how long they take to elute on the second column (isothermal conditions mean that later-eluting peaks on 2D are broader). In addition, peaks will have a variance (distribution) in each dimension depending on... 

Molecules rotate. As a consequence, the induced dipole p(t) as function of time is likely to show a modulation by the rotational frequencies which, when Fourier transformed, leads to the appearance of induced rotational lines or bands. These occur at low frequencies in the microwave and far infrared region and are in general superimposed with the translational line, especially at higher temperatures. Only molecules that have a large rotational constant, e.g., H2 (Bo 60 cm-1), reveal substantial parts of the translational spectra, see Figs. 3.10 and 3.12, pp. 82 and 85, as examples. 

Temperature may not always be raised in a linear fashion. In the case of CRT A (Controlled Rate Thermal Analysis), the heating rate is varied in such a manner as to produce a constant rate of mass loss. Alternatively a sinusoidal temperature rise is superimposed on the linear rise this is known as Modulated TG and allows the continuous calculation of activation energy and pre-exponential factor during a run. Sometimes a Temperature Jump (or stepwise isothermal) " is used, where temperature is held constant for a time, then jumped rapidly to a higher constant temperature (usually quite close in temperature). All of these procedures are supposed to help in the determination of kinetics of reaction. Another system accelerates the temperature rise when no mass loss is experienced, i.e. between reactions. The rate is slowed to a low value during mass loss. Some manufacturers call this High Resolution TG and an example follows. 

The term thermal analysis can be applied to any technique which involves the measurement of a physical quantity while the temperature is changed or maintained in a controlled and measured fashion as expressed in Fig. 2.4. Usually the temperature is, for simplicity, kept constant or increased linearly with time. Recently, it was found advantageous to superimpose a small modulation of the temperature to check for the reversibility of the measurement and to separate the calorimeter response from inadvertent gains or losses that do not occur with this modulation frequency (see Sect. 4.4). The professional organizations of thermal analysis are the International Confederation for Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, ICTAC, and the North American Thermal Analysis Society, NAT AS, described in some detail in Figs. 2.5 and 2.6, respectively. The most common journals dealing with thermal analysis techniques and results are ThermochimicaActa and the Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. 

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