HANDS-ON OPERATING AND UNDERSTANDING GC-MS

Practical in-person training delivered by Crawford Scientific's highly experienced training team exclusively at the National Brownfield Institute, Wolverhampton.

Unlock the full potential of your GC-MS system with our hands-on Operating and Understanding GC-MS course. Designed for analytical chemists, laboratory technicians, and quality control professionals, this course provides practical skills to confidently operate, troubleshoot, and optimise gas chromatography–mass spectrometry systems.

Participants will learn to navigate the entire GC-MS workflow - from sample preparation and column installation to spectral data analysis and reporting. The course covers essential topics such as electron ionisation (EI), quadrupole theory, mass calibration and tuning, acquisition modes (Scan vs. SIM), and library matching using NIST/Wiley databases.

Through practical sessions, attendees will perform tuning, system diagnostics, method development, and quantitative analysis, gaining the expertise needed to ensure consistent, high-quality data. Emphasis is placed on system benchmarking, performance qualification, and preventative maintenance, helping users extend instrument lifespan and improve laboratory efficiency.

Whether you are new to GC-MS or seeking to enhance your analytical capabilities, this course equips you with the skills to interpret mass spectra, optimise methods, and deliver reliable results every time.

Date: 13th - 14th October

Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm

Duration: 2 days

Number of delegates: 8

Location: National Brownfield Institute, Wolverhampton, WV10 0JR

Price: £1,198 (+VAT) per person

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PRACTICAL OPERATING AND UNDERSTANDING GC-MS COURSE DETAILS

Operate a GC-MS system confidently from sample introduction to data reporting
Understand and apply key GC-MS principles, including ionisation, mass analysis, and spectral interpretation
Evaluate system performance and data quality using diagnostic tools and benchmarks
Develop and optimise GC-MS methods for both qualitative and quantitative analysis
Interpret mass spectra and perform compound identification using spectral libraries
Maintain system performance through tuning, calibration, and good operational practices

No previous knowledge of mass spectrometry is necessary, but an understanding of the fundamentals of gas chromatography is beneficial.

The Analytical Process

Introduction to GC-MS Operation
- Defining the Workflow: Establishing a robust path from sample preparation to spectral data reporting
- System Performance Evaluation: Using initial diagnostics (air/water check, tune reports) to ensure the system is fit for purpose
- Experimental Design: Selecting the correct acquisition mode (Scan vs. SIM) based on target compounds
- Data Quality Review: How to assess signal-to-noise, spectral purity, and retention time stability
Benchmarking and Performance Qualification
- Interpreting PFTBA Tune Reports: Understanding mass assignment, peak widths, and isotope ratios
- Establishing instrument sensitivity benchmarks using standard reference materials

The Ion Source and Vacuum System

Ionisation Principles
- Theory of Electron Ionisation (EI): Mechanisms of hard ionization and fragmentation patterns
- Optimising the Source: The impact of source temperature and electron energy on spectral consistency
The GC-MS Interface
- Column Installation: Critical insertion depths to avoid dead volume and background noise
- Vacuum Fundamentals: Understanding the role of turbomolecular pumps and the importance of a leak-free system
Mass Calibration and Tuning
- Reading PFTBA Tune Reports: What to look for in the mass profile (m/z 69, 219, 502)
- Autotune vs. Target Tune: When to use each to maintain NIST library compatibility

Analysers and Data Processing

Quadrupole Theory: The physics of ion filtration and scanning rates in GC-MS
Acquisition Modes: Full Scan for profiling unknowns and SIM for trace-level quantification
Library Matching: Understanding Match Factors (Probability/Reverse Match) and using the NIST/Wiley libraries
Spectral Interpretation: Identifying molecular ions, base peaks, and common fragment ions
Quantitative Analysis: Building calibration curves using extracted ion chromatograms (EIC)

Practical System Operation

Day 1 Afternoon: Tuning and Column Interface
- Source Orientation: Hands-on orientation with the EI source and filament assembly
- System Diagnostics: Performing Air/Water checks to verify vacuum integrity
- PFTBA Tuning: Running and evaluating autotunes; understanding the 69/219/502 ratio
Day 2 Afternoon: Method Development and Library Searching
- Full Scan Discovery: Running an aromatherapy oil sample to identify terpene profiles
- Data Processing: Performing peak deconvolution and NIST library matching on the oil constituents
- SIM Method Building: Creating a high-sensitivity SIM method for specific targets within the oil mixture
- Reporting: Generating a library search report with match probabilities