Sanpu LH-10 Adsorption Tube Aging Instrument
| Brand | Sanpu |
|---|---|
| Origin | Beijing, China |
| Manufacturer | Sanpu Instrument Co., Ltd. |
| Type | LH-10 hp |
| Temperature Control Range | Ambient to 400 °C |
| Gas Flow Rate | 0–1000 mL/min |
| Tube Capacity | 10 tubes |
| Power Supply | 220 VAC, 50 Hz |
| Power Consumption | <300 VA |
| Temperature Accuracy | ±2 °C |
| Timer Range | 1 min to 99 h 59 min |
| Tube Length Compatibility | ≥110 mm |
| Dimensions (H×W×D) | 225 × 265 × 345 mm |
| Net Weight | ~7.5 kg |
Overview
The Sanpu LH-10 Adsorption Tube Aging Instrument is a dedicated thermal conditioning system engineered for the controlled activation and desorption tube preconditioning required in thermal desorption–gas chromatography (TD–GC) workflows. It operates on the principle of precise, programmable resistive heating under regulated inert gas flow, enabling reproducible removal of residual contaminants, moisture, and volatile organic compounds from sorbent-packed sampling tubes prior to analytical use. Designed for laboratories performing EPA Method TO-17, ISO 16017-1, and ASTM D6196 compliant air quality monitoring, occupational hygiene testing, and indoor air VOC analysis, the LH-10 ensures consistent tube performance—critical for minimizing blank interference, improving method detection limits, and maintaining long-term GC column integrity.
Key Features
- Independent dual-zone temperature control: Each of the 10 tube positions features uniform axial heating with real-time feedback, eliminating reliance on external ovens or auxiliary controllers.
- Integrated mass-flow calibrated gas delivery: Built-in needle valve and digital flow meter enable stable, traceable inert gas (N₂ or He) regulation from 0 to 1000 mL/min per tube bank, with visual analog display for rapid verification.
- Programmable aging cycles: Timer supports durations from 1 minute to 99 hours and 59 minutes, allowing full customization of bake-out protocols—including ramp-hold-cool sequences via manual staging.
- Thermal stability and accuracy: Achieves ±2 °C temperature uniformity across all tube positions within the 25–400 °C operating range, verified per IEC 61000-4-30 Class A instrumentation standards.
- Compact benchtop architecture: Optimized footprint (225 × 265 × 345 mm) and lightweight design (~7.5 kg) facilitate integration into crowded analytical labs or mobile field-testing setups.
- Safety-engineered operation: Includes overtemperature cutoff, automatic power-down after timer expiration, and thermally insulated housing compliant with UL 61010-1 requirements.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The LH-10 accommodates standard 6 mm OD × 89–115 mm L stainless steel or glass sorbent tubes—including Tenax TA, Carbopack B/C, Carboxen, and multi-bed configurations used in EPA TO-17 applications. Its 110+ mm minimum tube length support ensures compatibility with both single- and multi-sorbent bed formats. The instrument meets functional requirements for GLP-compliant tube preparation as referenced in USP , ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 5.5.2 (equipment qualification), and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity expectations when paired with documented SOPs and operator training records. All thermal and flow parameters are manually logged per batch; optional external data logging via RS-232 interface supports audit-ready record retention.
Software & Data Management
The LH-10 operates as a standalone hardware platform without embedded firmware or proprietary software—ensuring operational reliability, zero licensing overhead, and immunity to OS updates or driver conflicts. All settings (temperature setpoint, flow rate, timer duration) are adjusted via tactile rotary dials and displayed on high-contrast LED indicators. For laboratories requiring electronic recordkeeping, the unit supports optional analog voltage output (0–5 V) proportional to actual heater temperature and digital TTL pulse output synchronized with timer completion—enabling connection to LIMS, SCADA, or custom LabVIEW-based acquisition systems. Calibration certificates traceable to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China) are provided with each unit, including as-found/as-left data per ISO/IEC 17025 Annex A.2.
Applications
- Pre-conditioning of sorbent tubes prior to environmental air sampling (e.g., ambient, workplace, or indoor air VOC monitoring).
- Bake-out of reused tubes to restore adsorption capacity and minimize carryover between analyses.
- Method development and validation for TD–GC–MS quantitation of C₂–C₁₂ hydrocarbons, aldehydes, halogenated compounds, and semi-volatiles.
- Quality assurance in certified testing labs performing ISO 16017-1, EN 16755, or HJ 644–2013 (China) accredited measurements.
- Research-grade tube characterization studies involving breakthrough volume determination and thermal stability profiling of novel sorbents.
FAQ
What inert gases are compatible with the LH-10?
Nitrogen (N₂) and helium (He) are fully supported; argon may be used but requires verification of flow meter calibration due to differing viscosity.
Can the LH-10 perform temperature ramping?
No—the unit maintains a single user-defined setpoint throughout the timer cycle. Multi-step protocols require manual intervention between stages.
Is the flow rate calibrated per tube or for the entire bank?
The built-in flow meter measures total outlet flow; distribution among the 10 positions is balanced by fixed-orifice manifolds, ensuring ≤±8% inter-tube variation at 500 mL/min total flow.
Does the instrument include a cooling phase after heating?
No active cooling is integrated; tubes cool passively post-cycle. Forced-air cooling accessories can be added externally if rapid turnaround is required.
How often does the LH-10 require recalibration?
Annual verification against NIST-traceable reference thermometers and rotameter standards is recommended; frequency may increase based on usage intensity and internal QA policy.
