Polyarc System FAQs

Have questions about the Polyarc system? Check out the list of frequently asked questions below.

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What is the Polyarc system?

The Polyarc system is an add-on device for GC/FID analysis that completely converts all organic compounds to methane via a two-step combustion-reduction reaction for a uniform carbon response in the FID. This allows for more accurate quantification, increased sensitivity for certain compounds, compound independent calibration, and overall simpler analysis. 

What are some of the key benefits of the Polyarc System?

The integration of the Polyarc System into laboratory workflows unlocks numerous benefits that significantly enhance analytical results:

1. Polyarc enables the analysis of a broader range of compounds, expanding the scope of research and analysis opportunities.
2. Polyarc’s extended service life enable laboratories to substantially reduce operating costs by minimizing the frequency of replacements and the associated downtime.
3. Polyarc’s streamlined installation process and reduced valving requirements ensure smoother workflows. This saves valuable time and boosts efficiency.

Read more about the benefits of the Polyarc in this latest article.

Do I need an FID?

Yes. The Polyarc is a post-column, pre-detector add-on device, so an FID is necessary for detection of your analytes. Another common configuration for the Polyarc incorporates a post-column splitter with tandem MS and Polyarc/FID detection, resulting in single injection identification and quantification. 

Where is the Polyarc installed on my GC? 

The Polyarc can be installed in any open position that has an access point to the GC oven. For Agilent instruments, this means: front/back detector, front/back inlet, valve box position (if no valve box is installed), and auxiliary detector position (where the MS is typically installed). It can be installed in detector positions of other GCs as well, including Shimadzu, Thermo Fisher, PerkinElmer, Bruker, and more. There are different enclosure sizes recommended based on where the Polyarc is installed to ensure proper fit. 

Is additional software required for the Polyarc?

No additional software is required for using the Polyarc system, and it seamlessly integrates into your GC/FID instrument. Customers continue using their existing GC software (or manual controls on the GC) to integrate peaks, control the reactor temperature, and in some cases, the reactor flow rates of air and H2.

What carrier gases work with the Polyarc?

The Polyarc has been validated for use with helium, hydrogen, argon, and nitrogen as carrier gases, so minimal changes to your existing methods are made. Please note that when using hydrogen as a carrier gas, there are different operating parameters to ensure that the two-step reaction goes to completion.

How is the Polyarc different than a methanizer?

The Polyarc and traditional methanizers both ultimately convert CO and CO2 into methane. However, the Polyarc has several significant advantages over traditional methanizers: 

• Because the Polyarc consists of a two-step combustion-reduction reaction, it can convert any carbon-containing compound into methane, as opposed to just CO and CO2. 
• Traditional methanizers use a nickel catalyst that is easily poisoned by sulfur, water, air, hydrocarbons, etc. The Polyarc’s optimized catalysts are resilient to all compounds that typically poison methanizers, including sulfur at low levels. 
• The Polyarc enhances the FID to allow for much more than just detection of CO and CO2; it enables single injection quantification, quantification when commercial standards are unavailable, and increased sensitivity for other species like formaldehyde, formic acid, etc. 

What gases are required and how are the flow rates controlled?

The Polyarc requires flows of air and hydrogen for the two-step reaction, and there is a minimal increase in the amount of gases consumed when compared to your existing methods. There are three options for controlling flow rates: ARC’s Electronic Flow Control module (recommended), ARC’s Manual Flow Control module, and, if using Agilent GCs, two channels of the Auxiliary EPC channel with the appropriate frits.

What typical flow rates are required for air and hydrogen?

When using helium, argon, or nitrogen as a carrier gas, 2.5 sccm of air (zero air quality, less than 1 ppm CO2 and hydrocarbons) and 35 sccm of hydrogen are provided to the Polyarc. Additionally, we recommend reducing the FID hydrogen flow rate to 1.5 sccm, as this will be made up by the flow of hydrogen from the Polyarc. Please contact us for flow rates and other specifications when using hydrogen as a carrier gas.

How is the temperature controlled for the Polyarc system?

There are a few options for controlling the temperature for the Polyarc system. For non-Agilent GCs and Agilent instruments prior to the 7890 model, ARC has an external temperature controller which must be used. For Agilent 7890 GCs and later models, an auxiliary heated zone (A1 or A2) or inlet/detector heated zone can be used if available; otherwise, ARC’s external temperature controller can be used in these cases as well. 

Will the Polyarc convert my compounds to methane?

The Polyarc system has been carefully engineered and optimized to convert any carbon-containing compound to methane with a conversion rate greater than 99.9%. It has been demonstrated to work on a wide range of compounds with varying size and functionality including, but not limited to, hydrocarbons, aromatics, oxygenates, derivatives, and compounds containing heteroatoms such as O, N, S, Cl, Fl, and Si, etc.

How do you know the conversion of organic compounds to methane is >99.9%?

The only compound that is known to poison the catalyst is sulfur. High amounts of sulfur (>1,000 ppm by mass per injection) can reduce the lifetime of the catalyst, but there is a regeneration process that users can attempt which does decrease the overall sulfur capacity of the reactor.

Does using a Polyarc broaden my peaks?

The Polyarc internal geometries and design have been optimized to minimize peak broadening; that being said, 5-10% peak broadening can be seen. Peak tailing can also be observed and is accentuated by some heteroatoms, overloading the reactor (e.g., large solvent peaks), column bleed, and oxidation of inert coating on Polyarc transfer lines. An enhanced version of the Polyarc, the Polyarc Ultra, has been developed to improve (decrease) solvent tailing with certain solvents and improve peak shapes of active compounds.

What is the linear range of the Polyarc system?

The Polyarc benefits from being paired with the FID and is able to take advantage of the FID’s large linear dynamic range of seven orders of magnitude.

Are there any compounds that the Polyarc cannot convert to methane?

There are two compounds that the Polyarc can’t convert to methane, and these are tetrafluoromethane (CF4) and hexafluoroethane (C2F6). The carbon-fluorine bonds in these molecules are too thermodynamically stable, so they don’t allow the first step of the reactions (combustion) to go to completion.

Does the Polyarc work when using cryogenic oven temperatures?

The current version of the Polyarc is not recommended for use with cryogenic oven temperatures. There is a small amount of water produced in the two-step reaction, and when using cryogenic oven temperatures, this water will freeze in the outlet transfer line of the Polyarc.

Does the Polyarc work for GCxGC?

The current version of the Polyarc has been optimized for use with capillary columns ranging from 0.25 mm to 0.53 mm in inner diameter. If the current version of the Polyarc is used with GCxGC applications, more band broadening will be observed. ARC is developing another version of the Polyarc which will be able to be used in GCxGC with flow and thermal modulation.

How can I use the Polyarc for simultaneous identification and quantification?

The Polyarc/FID can be used along with the MSD for simultaneous identification and quantification. In this configuration, an Agilent CFT splitter is installed at the exit of the column, splitting flows to both the Polyarc/FID and the MSD. This configuration has been successfully implemented in many industries, including paints & coatings, biofuels, flavor & fragrance, and more.

Will the Polyarc increase my FID response?

The Polyarc can increase the FID response for compounds which traditionally have low FID response. These compounds typically contain heteroatoms like O, N, Cl, F, etc. Examples of compounds where the response is drastically improved include CO, CO2, formic acid, formaldehyde, formamide, etc. 

Is there any required maintenance before installing a Polyarc?

Use of the Polyarc does not necessitate individual calibration standards for quantification and because of this, any inlet discrimination or adsorption that is inherent to the GC will be evident once the Polyarc is installed. It is important to ensure that the GC/FID is operational with good chromatography prior to installing the Polyarc. Preventative maintenance, such as changing the inlet liner, changing the gold seal, cleaning the FID jet, is recommended prior to installing the Polyarc.

What is the ongoing maintenance for the Polyarc system?

The Polyarc system requires minimal, if any, routine maintenance. The reactor is designed to operate without catalyst deactivation for an extended period of time. The only maintenance over time is replacing the reactor when needed, and there is an easy replacement cartridge model for this process.

Does a regeneration process exist?

There is a process by which customers can attempt to regenerate the catalyst, however, this regeneration process will decrease the overall capacity of the reactor. 

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