GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
Methane concentrations are found in Alberta's groundwater with higher concentrations found in the southern part of the province, the concentration of methane ranges from 0 to 74.21 mg/l. The higher concentration of methane can be correlated to the high number of oil wells in southern Alberta, concentration of methane fluctuates with how deep and old the oil well is, and how the oil migrates in Alberta. Gas chromatography is the best method to measure the methane concentration in a sample of water.
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY PROCESS
STEP 1:
Calibrate all equipment prior to testing. The sample is injected in the injector port where it is vaporized, the vaporized sample is then carried to a capillary column by an inert gas such as argon or nitrogen (the mobile phase).
STEP 3:
The methane in the sample is then detected by a hydrocarbon detector, such as a thermal conductivity detector, and produces a chromatogram as a function of time. A thermal conductivity detector uses a heated metal filament to sense the thermal conductivity of the effluent leaving the column, the measured thermal conductivity is then compared against the conductivity of the carrier gas to determine the change in conductivity.
STEP 2:
The components in the sample are then separated by a microscopic layer of viscous liquid that coats the inside of the column (the stationary phase), they are separated by the differences between the components affinity to the stationary phase, and thus, exits the column at different times.
