thermal-conductivity detector

A thermal-conductivity detector is an instrument used in chromatography to identify substances. It works by comparing the heat-conducting ability of the gas stream exiting a chromatography column to that of a pure carrier gas. This comparison is made by passing both streams over heated filaments within thermal-conductivity cells. Changes in the filament's electrical resistance indicate temperature shifts caused by variations in thermal conductivity, which are then recorded.1

Thermal conductivity itself is a material's ability to transfer heat without physical movement of the substance. It is measured in watts per meter kelvin (W/mK) and is influenced by temperature and pressure. This property is crucial in various applications, such as selecting materials for cookware handles to prevent burns.2