Markes' Specialists to Lead Discussions on New Analytical Technologies at GCC

Markes International has announced that its application specialists will be leading workshops at Gulf Coast Conference (GCC) in Galveston, Texas, on 14-15 October 2014. The first workshop will look at the application of novel variable-energy ionization technology to the GC×GC-TOF MS analysis of crude oil. The workshop will highlight how this approach can help to distinguish between structurally similar analytes such as branched alkanes, while avoiding the losses in sensitivity that have historically afflicted soft ionization for GC-MS.

• Workshop #86 - Enhanced crude oil fingerprinting by GC×GC-TOF MS with novel ion-source technology
15:10 on 14 October in the Daffodil Room

The second workshop will focus on novel software developments that simplify the comparison of complex chromatograms generated using the latest analytical instrumentation. A focus of discussion will be the use of data-mining in real-time, which has particular advantages for the fast screening of petrochemicals.

• Workshop #98 - Novel real-time data-mining for fast screening of petrochemicals
13:00 on 15 October in the Orchid Room

In addition to Markes' booth (#225), two posters will also be displayed:

• Poster #87 - Enhanced crude oil fingerprinting by GC×GC-TOF MS with soft electron ionization
10:30 on 15 October in the Exhibit Hall

• Poster #97- Novel data-processing software for fast screening of complex petrochemicals
10:30 on 15 October in the Exhibit Hall

These activities cement Markes as a key player in analytical technologies for the petrochemical industry - a point emphasized by Alun Cole, Director of Markes International: "Our presence at GCC is part of a broader spectrum of activity that we are planning in the run-up to the release of US EPA Method 325 in 2015 for monitoring of airborne chemicals in and around petrochemical refineries. This is of particular interest to us because it stipulates diffusive monitoring onto sorbent tubes, with analysis by thermal desorption and GC-MS - technologies in which we have a considerable degree of expertise".