The Chromtech eTrap is located outside the GC oven and is only slightly affected by high GC temperatures. Analytes are focused in a deactivated 1/16" stainless steel capillary, which is filled with an adsorbent (e.g. Tenax TA 60/80) for very volatile components. The desorption of the trapped analytes takes place through resistive - and therefore very rapid - heating. This results in the extremely narrow peak shape, especially for the very volatile components. This also results in an enormous increase in detection sensitivity, comparable to the Purge & Trap technique. However, compared to this, the Headspace eTrap technique can be fully automated and is less complex in handling in routine operation.

The difference between eTrap and eTrap Plus is the type of heat dissipation of the built-in Peltier elements. The standard version of the eTrap is cooled using ambient air and therefore reaches temperatures of approx. 20K below the ambient temperature. The eTrap Plus, on the other hand, is operated in combination with the IceStar Universal Liquid Cooler. This combination enables temperatures of approx. 50K below ambient temperature.

eTrap and eTrap Plus are widely used, especially in the analysis of volatile compounds (VOC) using headspace, SPDE, SPME, P&T and thermal desorption. Due to the possibility of splitless sampling, as well as the refocusing, especially of the extremely volatile compounds (e.g. vinyl chloride, chloroethane, MTBE, etc.), there is a significant increase in sensitivity when detecting these substances.

Technical data of eTrap and eTrapPlus

Electrical Peltier driven, 2-stage cold trap.

Mounted outside of GC oven.

Temperature range: 50K below ambient temperature up to 320°C for eTrapPlus and 20K below ambient temperature up to 320°C for eTrap (standard version).

Optimized for splitless headspace and SPDE/SPME injection, as well as thermal desorption and purge & trap.

Mounted outside the GC oven.

Including e-Trap Control and IceStar universal liquid cooler (with eTrapPlus)

The eTrap controller is fully integrated into the Agilent GCMS MassHunter and is therefore part of the GCMS method. An independent control (“driver”) is also available for chromatography systems from other manufacturers.

The deactivated 1/16" eTrap capillary is filled with Tenax TA 60/80 as standard. Other adsorbents on request.

The Gc column is connected to the eTrap using standard 1/16'' ferrules.

Available for Agilent GC and select Thermo GC. Two versions available: eTrapPlus (including IceStar) and eTrap (standard version).