flammenionisationsdetektor

Flammenionisationsdetektor, also known as a Flame Ionization Detector (FID), is a highly sensitive and selective analytical instrument used primarily in gas chromatography (GC) to detect organic compounds. The FID operates by combusting the eluted compounds from the GC column in a hydrogen-rich flame, which ionizes the organic molecules. The resulting ions are then detected by a collector electrode, generating a current proportional to the concentration of the analyte.

The FID is renowned for its high sensitivity, capable of detecting compounds at picogram levels, and its broad selectivity, which allows for the detection of a wide range of organic compounds, including hydrocarbons, halocarbons, and some inorganic compounds. This makes it an invaluable tool in various fields, including environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical analysis, and petrochemical industry.

The FID's operation is based on the principle that organic compounds can be ionized in a flame, and the resulting ions can be collected and measured. The detector consists of a flame ionization chamber, where the eluted compounds are combusted, and a collector electrode, which measures the resulting current. The FID's response is linear over a wide range of concentrations, making it suitable for quantitative analysis.

However, the FID has some limitations. It is not suitable for the detection of polar or non-volatile compounds, as these compounds do not ionize efficiently in the flame. Additionally, the FID is not specific to certain compounds, and it may produce false positives if the sample contains interfering compounds. Despite these limitations, the FID remains a widely used and essential tool in analytical chemistry.