Coupling capillary gas chromatography to traditional liquid chromatography detectors

A chromatographic apparatus for separating and detecting structurally distinct analytes in a sample comprising:

• a gas chromatography instrument for separating a sample into structurally distinct analytes in a gaseous effluent stream;
• means for entraining the gaseous effluent stream from the gas chromatography instrument in a stream of liquid solvent such that the analytes retain their structural distinctiveness and the losses of resolution and chromatographic efficiency achieved by the chromatography instrument are minimized;
• and
• a detector capable of analyzing liquids in fluid communication with the means for entraining the gaseous effluent stream in a stream of liquid solvent.

An interface for coupling an output end of a gas chromatograph to a detector designed for liquid applications, comprising:

• a low volume tee having two inlet ports and one outlet port;
• a heated transfer means for connecting the output of the gas chromatograph directly to a first inlet port of the low volume tee;
• a first conduit means for connecting a second inlet port of the low volume tee to a supply of solvent;
• a second conduit means for connecting the output port of the low volume tee to a liquid chromatography detector.