Thermal Desorption

Product Information

Thermal desorption (TD) is a versatile preconcentration technique for gas chromatography and GC/MS that combines sample preparation, extraction, and injection into a single automated process. It is used to analyze very volatile to semi-volatile organic compounds in a variety of solid, liquid, and gaseous samples across diverse application areas.This technique is safer and more environmentally friendly than solvent extraction, easy to automate and validate, and complies with standard methods. Agilent GC and GC/MS instruments with TD systems from Markes International, including Multi-Gas versions, offer the sensitivity, flexibility, and dynamic range to meet your VOC and SVOC analysis needs.

More Information

  • Multi-Gas enabled systems for compatibility with hydrogen, nitrogen, and helium carrier gas
  • Hydrogen carrier gas compatibility provides cost savings over helium and allows for higher throughput due to faster chromatographic separations
  • Quantitative sample re-collection of all split flows enables repeat analysis of critical samples, easy method validation, and overcomes the one-shot limitation of conventional TD systems
  • Capacity of up to 100 tubes and the ability to use overlap mode provide enhanced throughput
  • Configurations for 14-channel canister, 4-channel canister, or 3-channel on-line, with 100-tube automation available for ultimate flexibility on one TD-GC-MS system
  • Electronic tube tagging: RFID tags for simplified chain of custody are available for industry standard sorbent tubes
  • Diffusion locking for enhanced sample integrity and robust (mechanically simple) automation
  • Patented inert valving for compatibility with every TD application on a single analytical platform – ultra-volatiles, semi-volatiles (up to n-C44) plus reactive species such as mercaptans, CS gas, etc. – all on one TD system
  • Automated internal standard introduction onto blank as well as sampled tubes, or onto the focusing cold trap
  • Electronic pneumatics control (EPC) of carrier gas through the thermal desorber ensures consistent compound retention time independent of split flow
  • Electrically-cooled sorbent trapping with uniquely fast trap heating rates for splitless capillary GC operation and optimum sensitivity without risk of ice formation
  • Off-line conditioning for multiple tubes without the need to blank-off unused tube connections
  • Specialized sorbent tubes: Certified reference standards, SafeLok tubes, inert coated tubes
  • A range of unique sampling tools for measuring VOC and SVOC in challenging matrices: liquids/solids/emulsions, breath, in-situ soil, polymers, natural products, construction products, etc.
  • Accommodates focusing traps and sorbent tubes, canisters, sampling bags, or online sampling
  • A variety of sampling tube and focusing trap sorbents are available to accommodate specific sample types and meet diverse application requirements