A system for automatically performing liquid chromatography analysis of low volume
liquid chemical samples at nanosecond flow rates using an analysis column that
integrates a pre-concentration trapping column and a chromatography separation
column terminating at an electrospray nozzle of an online mass spectrometer. The
analysis column consists of a capillary having an inside diameter of between 75
and 125 microns packed throughout with a porous bed of micron particles. A branch
outlet positioned 10 to 16 centimeters upstream from the nozzle divides the analysis
column into an upstream pre-concentration trap and a downstream separation column.
An autosampler delivers low volume liquid samples to the upstream inlet via a two-position
valve. Feed connections couple the autosampler to upstream inlet when the valve
is open to inject a liquid sample into the pre-concentration trap at a maximum
loading flow rate in the range from 0.5 to 50 microliters/minute. Thereafter, when
the valve closes, it terminates the further injection the sample, and a concentrated
portion of the sample then passes though the chromatography separation column at
a much slower flow rate between 10 and 1,000 nanoliters per minute. Throughput
can be doubled by coupling two such analysis columns to a single autosampler using
a ten-port, two position valve. A single column can be supplied through a six port
two-position valve.