GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE INCORPORATING INTEGRATED THERMAL MANAGEMENT

摘要

A self-contained micro-scale gas chromatography system that includes a plurality of gas chromatography components arranged on a micro-fluidic platform with nearly zero dead volume "tubeless" fluidic connections for the gas chromatography components. The micro-fluidic platform includes a plurality of flow channels that provide fluid flow paths for a sample, carrier gas and waste gas through and among the micro-fluidic platform and the plurality of gas chromatography components. The gas chromatography components may include a micro-scale gas chromatography column that is implemented as a MEMS device and includes embedded heating and cooling elements. The system may also include an on-board supply of carrier gas and on-board waste management, as well as a thermal management scheme making the system suitable for use in oil and gas wells and also other remote environments.