Metal Packed GC Column (General Configuration)

In packed columns the carrier gas percolates through the porous bed and separation is achieved by moving the solutes apart. Packed columns are made up of two main materials; stainless steel and Pyrex glass. Metal packed columns are more suitable for long and high carrier gas flow rates to tolerate the elevated pressures. Porapak N are porous polymer beads which helps in providing significantly lower background at the carbon emission line. They are suitable for separating H₂, CH₄, and CO₂.

An economical metal column should be used for less demanding applications where the inertness of glass is not required. This column is of a general configuration, and can be carefully bent to fit most instruments.

Stainless steel coulmns packed with Porapak N and molecular sieve may be used to determine the methanogenic degradation by analysing headspace gas with GC.