What is the difference between conventional and ultra-fast mode on the 500 Series GC?

The 500 Series GC runs in two modes: conventional and ultra-fast. The difference is in how the column is heated.

Conventional mode

In conventional mode, the 500 Series GC works like any standard GC. The flow-through oven heats air that circulates around the column. Temperature ramp rates depend on the range: up to 50°C/min between 35 and 150°C, up to 30°C/min between 120 and 240°C, and up to 20°C/min between 240 and 300°C. Standard capillary columns from most manufacturers can be used. Typical analysis times are 20 to 90 minutes depending on the method.

Ultra-fast mode

In ultra-fast mode, the oven is bypassed entirely. An electrical current passes directly through a deactivated stainless steel column, heating the column resistively. Because only the column is heated rather than an entire oven chamber, temperature ramp rates are much higher and cool-down times are much shorter. Analysis times in ultra-fast mode can be as low as 5 minutes.

Ultra-fast mode requires metal columns rather than standard fused silica. Deactivated stainless steel columns are now available for most common GC applications.

Why it matters

In conventional mode, cool-down time between runs adds up across a full day of samples. In ultra-fast mode, the column cools in seconds rather than minutes because the oven was never heated. Sample throughput increases five to ten times compared to conventional GC.

The 500 Series GC lets you choose the mode that suits the method. Run conventional when the application requires it. Switch to ultra-fast when throughput is the priority. One instrument covers both.