How does a process gas chromatograph differ from a laboratory GC?

Process GC differs from lab GC in: environmental design (outdoor enclosures, NEMA/Ex ratings, wide temperature operation), automation (unattended operation, automatic valve switching, stream selection), sample handling (continuous sample conditioning, fast cycle times 2-15 minutes), communication (4-20 mA outputs, Modbus/OPC integration to DCS), and reliability focus (simplified design, fewer components, robust columns). Lab GC offers flexibility and method development capability; process GC is optimized for continuous, dedicated analysis with high availability. Process GC requires more upfront configuration but less operator intervention.