Multi-channel multi-dimensional comprehensive gas chromatography

A method of comprehensive chromatography analysis comprising:

• separating a sample in a primary chromatographic column;
• directing a primary stream exiting the primary chromatographic column toward a non-modulator switching system, wherein the non-modulator switching system comprises at least one micro-switch and at least one valve;
• and
• continuously operating the non-modulator switching system to selectively direct the primary stream to a plurality of thermal injectors and a plurality of secondary chromatographic columns, wherein each of the plurality of thermal injectors is provided in parallel with one another and is in fluid communication with a respective secondary chromatographic column of the plurality, wherein the continuously operating includes:
• (a) selectively directing a portion of the primary stream to one of the plurality of thermal injectors and accumulating the portion of the primary stream for a predetermined amount of time;
• (b) injecting the portion of the primary stream into one of the plurality of secondary chromatographic columns in fluid communication with the one of the plurality of thermal injectors;
• (c) detecting one or more target analytes in a secondary stream exiting the one of the plurality of secondary chromatographic columns;
• and
• repeating (a)-(c) to selectively direct other portions of the primary stream to other thermal injectors of the plurality of thermal injectors and the plurality of secondary chromatographic columns in fluid communication therewith until substantially all of the target analytes in the sample are detected after exiting the plurality of secondary chromatographic columns to provide a comprehensive analysis of the sample, wherein:
• the plurality of secondary chromatographic columns comprises four secondary chromatographic columns;
• and
• the at least one micro-switch comprises a first micro-Deans switch, a second micro-Deans switch, and a third micro-Deans switch, and the at least one valve comprises a first three-port valve and a second three-port valve, wherein a first inlet of the first micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with the primary stream, a second inlet and a third inlet of the first micro-Deans switch are in fluid communication with the first three-port valve, a first inlet of the second micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with a first outlet of the first micro-Deans switch, a first inlet of the third micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with a second outlet of the first micro-Deans switch, a second inlet and a third inlet of the second micro-Deans switch are in fluid communication with the second three-port valve, a second inlet and a third inlet of the third micro-Deans switch are in fluid communication with the second three-port valve, a first outlet of the second micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with a first secondary chromatographic column, a second outlet of the second micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with a second secondary chromatographic column, a first outlet of the third micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with a third secondary chromatographic column, and a second outlet of the third micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with a fourth secondary chromatographic column.

A method of comprehensive chromatography analysis comprising:

• receiving a primary stream of a sample at a non-modulator switching system, wherein the non-modulator switching system comprises at least one micro-switch and at least one valve;
• and
• continuously operating the non-modulator switching system to selectively direct the primary stream to a plurality of thermal injectors and a plurality of chromatographic columns, wherein each of the plurality of thermal injectors is provided in parallel with one another and is in fluid communication with a respective chromatographic column of the plurality, wherein the continuously operating includes:
• (a) selectively directing a portion of the primary stream to one of the plurality of thermal injectors and accumulating the portion of the primary stream for a predetermined amount of time;
• (b) injecting the portion of the primary stream into one of the plurality of chromatographic columns in fluid communication with the one of the plurality of thermal injectors;
• (c) detecting one or more target analytes in a secondary stream exiting the one of the plurality of chromatographic columns;
• and
• repeating (a)-(c) to selectively direct other portions of the primary stream to other thermal injectors of the plurality of thermal injectors and the plurality of chromatographic columns in fluid communication therewith until substantially all of the target analytes in the sample are detected after exiting the plurality of chromatographic columns to provide a comprehensive analysis of the sample, wherein:
• the at least one micro-switch of the non-modulator switching system comprises a micro-Deans switch;
• and
• the at least one micro-switch comprises a first micro-Deans switch, a second micro-Deans switch, and a third micro-Deans switch, and the at least one valve comprises a first three-port valve and a second three-port valve, wherein a first inlet of the first micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with the primary stream, a second inlet and a third inlet of the first micro-Deans switch are in fluid communication with the first three-port valve, a first inlet of the second micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with a first outlet of the first micro-Deans switch, a first inlet of the third micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with a second outlet of the first micro-Deans switch, a second inlet and a third inlet of the second micro-Deans switch are in fluid communication with the second three-port valve, a second inlet and a third inlet of the third micro-Deans switch are in fluid communication with the second three-port valve, a first outlet of the second micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with a first chromatographic column, a second outlet of the second micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with a second chromatographic column, a first outlet of the third micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with a third chromatographic column, and a second outlet of the third micro-Deans switch is in fluid communication with a fourth chromatographic column.