Agilent Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD) Parts

The Agilent Thermal Conductivity Detector is a ‘universal’ detector that responds to all compounds, excluding carrier gas. The TCD compares the thermal conductivities of two gas flows – pure carrier gas (also called the reference gas) and carrier gas plus sample components (also called column effluent), using a single-filament, single-column design.

The primary maintenance for a TCD involves the filament. Most procedures involve improving filament life or keeping the filament from becoming damaged or contaminated.

Cell contamination is a problem when a lower detector temperature is used to improve sensitivity. If the cell becomes contaminated, a solvent flush of the detector may help to remove the condensed material.