Tekmar AQUATek LVA Liquid Autosampler

Overview

The Tekmar AQUATek LVA Liquid Autosampler is a high-integrity, stackable automation platform engineered specifically for liquid-phase purge-and-trap sample introduction in environmental volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis. Designed for seamless integration with Tekmar’s Lumin™ and Stratum™ purge-and-trap concentrators, the AQUATek LVA implements a robust, closed-loop liquid handling architecture grounded in precise volumetric delivery and thermally stable transfer pathways. Its operational principle centers on controlled liquid aspiration, quantitative transfer into the purge chamber, and synchronized thermal desorption of analytes onto the trap—enabling reproducible recovery of target VOCs across aqueous matrices including drinking water, groundwater, surface water, wastewater, and leachates. The system’s mechanical design prioritizes spatial efficiency via vertical stacking, minimizing footprint without compromising accessibility or serviceability—critical for high-throughput environmental testing laboratories operating under ISO/IEC 17025 or EPA-compliant quality systems.

Key Features

• 84-position sample carousel accommodating standard 40 mL EPA-compliant vials, supporting unattended overnight runs and batch processing of regulatory compliance samples.
• Hermetically sealed sample handling pathway with active refrigeration (4–10 °C) to suppress analyte volatility during storage and transfer—minimizing pre-analytical loss of low-boiling compounds such as vinyl chloride, chloromethane, and acetaldehyde.
• PEEK fluidic components—including selectable injection loops (5 mL, 10 mL, 20 mL, 25 mL)—provide chemical inertness against acidic, basic, and oxidizing aqueous matrices while eliminating metal-catalyzed degradation of sensitive analytes.
• Dedicated internal standard reservoir housed in UV-shielded amber glass vials, sealed with PEEK caps to prevent adsorption, photolysis, and carryover between injections.
• High-temperature water rinse protocol (up to 95 °C) applied across all liquid conduits post-injection, effectively removing residual organics and biofilm buildup—reducing memory effects and extending maintenance intervals.
• Integrated TekLink™ software provides unified instrument control, method scheduling, audit trail logging, and electronic signature support aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for regulated environments.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AQUATek LVA is validated for direct analysis of untreated and preserved aqueous samples per U.S. EPA Method 524.2, 502.2, and 8260D equivalents, as well as Chinese national standards including HJ 639–2012 (GC-MS), HJ 686–2014 (GC-FID), and GB/T 5750.8–2023 (drinking water). It accommodates samples containing suspended solids ≤100 mg/L without filtration when used with optional inline particulate filters. The system meets GLP/GMP documentation requirements through timestamped event logs, user-access controls, and method versioning. All hardware interfaces comply with IEC 61326-1 for electromagnetic compatibility in analytical laboratory settings.

Software & Data Management

TekLink™ software delivers centralized configuration of autosampler parameters—including vial mapping, rinse cycles, loop selection, internal standard addition volume, and purge timing—alongside real-time status monitoring of connected purge-and-trap modules. Data files are generated in vendor-neutral .csv and .txt formats, compatible with LIMS integration via ASTM E1461-compliant export protocols. Audit trails record operator actions, method modifications, calibration events, and error conditions with immutable timestamps. Electronic signatures adhere to ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available) required for regulatory submissions.

Applications

The AQUATek LVA supports routine and non-routine VOC quantification in environmental monitoring programs, including but not limited to: detection of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes), trihalomethanes (chloroform, bromodichloromethane), haloacetonitriles, acrylonitrile, allyl chloride, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and C6–C9 petroleum hydrocarbons. It is routinely deployed in municipal water utilities, third-party environmental testing labs, and industrial effluent compliance facilities performing analyses under China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) mandates and U.S. EPA Clean Water Act reporting obligations.

FAQ

Can the AQUATek LVA be used with non-Tekmar purge-and-trap systems?
Yes—via analog/digital I/O interface or RS-232 communication, though full feature parity (e.g., synchronized trap bake-out, automated method switching) requires native Tekmar hardware integration.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the liquid handling module?
Daily visual inspection of vial seals and loop integrity; quarterly replacement of PEEK tubing and septa; annual calibration verification using certified aqueous VOC standards per HJ 639–2012 Annex B.
Is method validation data available for the AQUATek LVA?
Yes—Tekmar provides application notes documenting MDL studies, spike recovery (85–115% across 5–500 ng/L), and precision (RSD <8% for n=7 replicates) for priority VOCs per HJ 639–2012 and EPA 524.2.
Does the system support unattended operation over weekends?
Yes—when configured with uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and temperature-stabilized lab environment (20–25 °C, ±2 °C), the AQUATek LVA supports continuous 120-hour run sequences with automatic shutdown and error logging.
How is cross-contamination mitigated during high-concentration sample analysis?
Through three-tiered mitigation: (1) programmable high-temp water rinse between injections, (2) dedicated internal standard delivery path isolated from sample flow, and (3) dynamic blank monitoring with auto-rejection of outlier peaks exceeding user-defined thresholds.