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Aim:
-
Experimental Method:
Please refer to page 119 of the CHEM20019 Practical Chemistry Laboratory Manual.
Equipment:
Detection
Column (Stationary Phase)
Carrier Gas (Mobile Phase)
Split
Linear Flow
Tinjector
Toven
Tdetector
Injection Volume
Sample
1
2
3
Acetone
Peak No.
1
1
1
Mean
4
5
6
Toluene
1
1
1
Mean
7
8
9
P-xylene
1
1
1
Mean
10
Sample C
11
Sample C
12
Sample C
Mean
Compound
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
Peak Area
75625920
84266621
85127113
81673218
204734783
197007939
198057593
199933438
227548249
215274962
220372353
221065188
35160858
113827500
33419945
108945737
34846918
113191615
34475907
111988284
From the tabulated data above, we can compare the retention times of the peaks in sample C
with the pure compounds and identify the two unknown compounds in the sample. Table 2
below shows that the two compounds in the sample are toluene and acetone.
Acetone
1.86
Using the statistical calculations from Table 3, the relative standard deviation (RSD) shows
that the precision of the measurements performed is quite accurate. An RSD of 2.8% and
2.3% means that the sample measurements do not deviate too much from the calculated
means. Potential sources of any errors or inaccuracy comes down human errors when timing
the insertion of the sample and running the GC. Since it is a fairly sensitive equipment, any
slight changes in the timing can result in lower or higher peak areas.
Acetone
Toluene
Standard
C.I. (at 95%)
Deviation
1.17%
422%
1.31%
562%
RSD
2.8%
2.3%
Conclusion:
The two compounds identified in sample C are toluene and acetone, with peak 1in the sample
identified as acetone and peak 2 as toluene. Acetone was found to have an average of 42.2%
composition while Toluene had an average of 56% composition.