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The Chemical Educator
ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)
Abstract Volume 14
Issue 4 (2008) pp 195-199
A Gas Chromatography Experiment Combining Technical and Cognitive Competence
Christine M. Peeters*,†,‡ and Rik Deliever†
†Teaching Support Unit, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering,
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21 B 2302, 3001
Heverlee, Belgium, christine.peeters@biw.kuleuven.be ‡ LESEC, Leuven
Engineering and Science Education Centre, K.U.Leuven Association
Received
July 17, 2008. Accepted September 27, 2009
Published online: 31 December 2009
Abstract. The gas chromatography experiment presented here is a combination of a quantitative analysis of fatty acids in edible oil with an analysis of a synthetic mixture to evaluate chromatography efficiency. This experiment can be done in 5–7 hours. The students start with the preparation of the oil samples and standard solutions of fatty acids. While the derivatization of the fatty acids is in progress, a synthetic sample is analyzed at different linear velocity of the carrier gas. The students use the chromatograms to determine the Van Deemter equation and to calculate the chromatography efficiency. The quantitative analysis of the oil samples can be done consecutively or the samples can be stored until the next laboratory session. This combination of two gas chromatography experiments is very attractive for the students because it deals with a real-world sample. In addition, the students acquire practical experience in the significance of parameters related to chromatography efficiency.
Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; quantitative analysis
(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: christine.peeters@biw.kuleuven.be)
Article in PDF format (115 KB) HTML format
Issue date: Dec,
31, 2009
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