Skip to content

Gas Chromatography Operation and Troubleshooting

Gas chromatography underpins fuel, petrochemical and environmental testing across South African refineries, gas plants and contract laboratories, yet many faults are traced to worn injection ports, contaminated columns or drifting detectors rather than the instrument software. This course builds practical skill in operating GC systems, diagnosing common faults, and applying preventive maintenance routines that keep uptime high in busy production laboratories.

What you will be able to do

  • Explain the principles of gas chromatography separation and detector selection for fuel and gas analysis.
  • Operate GC instrumentation including sample introduction, column selection and detector optimisation.
  • Diagnose common causes of peak tailing, ghost peaks, baseline drift and loss of sensitivity.
  • Apply a structured troubleshooting sequence to isolate faults in injectors, columns and detectors.
  • Perform preventive maintenance tasks that extend column life and reduce unplanned downtime.
  • Interpret chromatograms and quality control charts to confirm instrument performance before releasing results.

Course outline

  1. 01Principles of Gas Chromatography Separation
  2. 02Sample Introduction and Injection Systems
  3. 03Column Selection and Stationary Phases
  4. 04Detector Types and Optimisation
  5. 05Common Fault Patterns and Causes
  6. 06Structured Troubleshooting Methodology
  7. 07Preventive Maintenance and Consumables
  8. 08Data Review and Quality Control Checks

Who should attend

This course is designed for GC analysts, instrument technicians, laboratory supervisors and process chemists who operate or support gas chromatography systems.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendar
17 to 19 Aug 2026Mauritius3US$1,500
24 to 26 Aug 2026Dubai3US$1,500
31 Aug to 2 Sep 2026Lagos3US$1,500
7 to 9 Sep 2026Harare3US$1,500
14 to 16 Sep 2026Kampala3US$1,500
21 to 23 Sep 2026Dar es Salaam3US$1,500
28 to 30 Sep 2026Pretoria3R13,000
5 to 7 Oct 2026Cape Town3R13,000
19 to 21 Oct 2026Online3US$900
26 to 28 Oct 2026Mozambique3US$1,500
2 to 4 Nov 2026Cairo3US$1,500
9 to 11 Nov 2026Accra3US$1,500
16 to 18 Nov 2026Lusaka3US$1,500
23 to 25 Nov 2026Kigali3US$1,500
30 Nov to 2 Dec 2026Nairobi3US$1,500
7 to 9 Dec 2026Durban3R13,000
14 to 16 Dec 2026Johannesburg3R13,000

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

Related courses in Laboratory, Analysers and Research

Laboratory, Analysers and Research

Laboratory Operations and Supervision

A practical programme for laboratory supervisors and section heads running testing and calibration facilities across South African and...

Next session
31 Aug to 2 Sep 2026
Venue
Lusaka
3 day programme
FromUS$900
Laboratory, Analysers and Research

Laboratory Quality Management Toward ISO/IEC 17025

Builds practical understanding of the ISO/IEC 17025 management and technical requirements for testing and calibration laboratories...

Next session
31 Aug to 4 Sep 2026
Venue
Mozambique
5 day programme
FromUS$900
Laboratory, Analysers and Research

Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)

Covers the selection, configuration and daily use of laboratory information management systems for testing and calibration facilities...

Next session
31 Aug to 2 Sep 2026
Venue
Cape Town
3 day programme
FromUS$900
See all Laboratory, Analysers and Research courses