Gas chromatography system

A gas chromatography (GC) system for separating analytes from a matrix, the GC system comprising:

• a GC system entrance;
• a first column fluidically connected to the GC system entrance through a first valve, wherein the first column is capable of separating one or more of Ar, O2, N2, CH4, and CO from a gas matrix and from CO2;
• a second column fluidically connected to the first column through a second valve, wherein the second column is capable of separating CO2 from the gas matrix;
• a third column fluidically connected to the first column through the second valve, wherein the third column is capable of separating one or more analytes selected from the group consisting of Ar, O2, N2, CH4, and CO from the gas matrix and from another analyte of said one or more analytes;
• a fourth column fluidically connected to the third column through a third valve, wherein the fourth column is capable of further separating one or more of Ar, O2, N2, CH4, and CO from the gas matrix;
• and
• a GC system exit fluidically connected to both the fourth column and the second column through a fourth valve;
• wherein the first valve comprises 10 or more ports and has two or more positions, and in one position, the first valve provides a flowpath between a sample inlet and a sample loop, and in another position, the first valve provides a flowpath between the sample loop and the first column;
• wherein the second valve is a multi-port valve having two or more positions, and in one position, the second valve makes a fluidic connection between the first column and the second column, and in another position, the second valve makes a fluidic connection between the first column and the third column;
• wherein the third valve is a multi-port valve having two or more positions, where in one position, the third valve makes a fluidic connection between the third column and the fourth column, and in another position, the third valve makes a fluidic connection between the third column and a vent;
• wherein the fourth valve is a multi-port valve having two or more positions, and in one position, the fourth valve makes a fluidic connection between the second column and the GC system exit, and in another position, the fourth valve makes a fluid connection between the fourth column and the GC system exit.