Method and apparatus for flame ionization detection for chromatography

An apparatus for detecting an analyte in a chromatography system using a flame-based detector comprising:

• a flame-based detector;
• a primary separation module;
• a secondary separation module having an outlet in communication with the flame-based detector;
• a modulator having an inlet in communication with the primary separation module and an outlet in communication with an inlet of the secondary separation module;
• and
• a controller in communication with the flame-based detector and the modulator, the controller configuring the modulator to provide a fluidic plug from a first effluent from the primary separation module that contains an analyte peak and an organic component to the secondary separation module, wherein the secondary separation module generates a second effluent having an organic component peak and the analyte peak, wherein the organic component peak and the analyte peak are temporally resolved and wherein the controller is configured to disable the flame-based detector during a time when the organic component peak is received at the flame-based detector and to enable the flame-based detector during a time when the analyte peak is received at the flame-based detector.

An apparatus for detecting an analyte in a chromatography system using a flame-based detector comprising:

• a flame-based detector;
• a first trap and a second trap;
• a first gas chromatography separation device and a second gas chromatography separation device each in fluidic communication with the flame-based detector;
• a modulator valve in fluidic communication with the first and second traps and the first and second gas chromatography separation devices, the modulator valve configured to receive a first effluent from a chromatographic column at a first port and to receive a gas chromatography carrier gas at a second port, the modulator valve switchable between a first state in which the first effluent is directed to flow into the first trap and the gas chromatography carrier gas is directed to flow through the second trap to the second gas chromatography separation device and a second state in which the first effluent is directed to flow into the second trap and the gas chromatography carrier gas is directed to flow through the first trap to the first gas chromatography separation device;
• and
• a controller in communication with the flame-based detector and the modulator valve, the controller configured to switch the modulator valve between the first state and the second state.