The Flame Ionization Detector (FID) is a commonly used detector in Gas Chromatography (GC) that detects organic compounds based on their ability to produce ions when burned in a hydrogen flame. The FID detector consists of three main components: a burner, a collector electrode, and an amplifier.
The FID detector works by introducing a sample into the GC column where it is separated into its individual components by the stationary phase of the column. The components then flow through the column and exit at the end. As the components exit the column, they enter a hydrogen flame produced by the burner, which results in the partial combustion of the organic compounds to produce ions.
The ions produced in the flame are then drawn towards the collector electrode, which is located downstream of the flame. The collector electrode generates an electrical current that is proportional to the number of ions that reach it. This current is then amplified and recorded by the GC system, and the resulting signal is used to generate a chromatogram that represents the concentration of each component in the sample.
The sensitivity of the FID detector depends on the number of ions produced in the flame, which in turn depends on the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. As a result, the FID detector is particularly sensitive to organic compounds containing carbon atoms, making it an ideal choice for the detection of hydrocarbons, alcohols, and other organic compounds.
One advantage of the FID detector is that it is highly selective for organic compounds and does not respond to inorganic species or non-carbon containing compounds. This makes it a popular choice for the analysis of complex mixtures containing a wide range of organic compounds.
In summary, the FID detector works by partially combusting organic compounds in a hydrogen flame, producing ions that are drawn towards a collector electrode and converted into an electrical signal. The sensitivity of the detector is proportional to the number of carbon atoms in the molecule, making it highly selective for organic compounds.
Abhishek Singh is the author of Pharma technical support. He is pharmaceutical professionals, having experience of more than 12 years in Quality.