Tekmar 3100 Solid/Liquid Auto-Sampler with Purge and Trap Functionality

Overview

The Tekmar 3100 Solid/Liquid Auto-Sampler is a fully automated purge and trap (P&T) sample introduction system engineered for trace-level volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis in environmental, regulatory, and industrial laboratories. It operates on the principle of dynamic headspace extraction: inert gas purging displaces VOCs from aqueous or solid-phase samples into a sorbent trap, followed by rapid thermal desorption and transfer to a gas chromatograph (GC) or GC–mass spectrometer (GC–MS). Designed for compatibility with EPA Methods 502.2, 524.2, 524.4, 624, and ISO 15681-2, the system delivers high reproducibility (<5% RSD for replicate analyses), robust carryover control (<0.1%), and precise temperature management across purge, trap, and desorption zones. This refurbished unit has undergone full functional validation—including leak integrity testing, trap bake-out verification, and GC interface synchronization—and is certified to meet original Tekmar factory performance specifications.

Key Features

• Automated dual-mode operation: seamless switching between liquid (aqueous) and solid (soil/sediment) sample formats without hardware reconfiguration
• Integrated 40-position carousel with programmable vial heating (ambient to 90 °C) and magnetic stirring for heterogeneous solid samples
• Triple-stage trap configuration (Tenax TA / Carbopack B / Carbopack C) with independent cooling (−20 °C) and desorption (up to 350 °C)
• On-board helium or nitrogen purge gas control with mass flow regulation (±1 mL/min accuracy) and real-time pressure monitoring
• Embedded microprocessor with non-volatile memory for method storage, audit trail logging, and event timestamping
• RS-232 and Ethernet interfaces for bidirectional communication with GC systems and LIMS integration

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Tekmar 3100 accommodates standard 40-mL VOC vials (with septa and crimp caps), 5-g soil sample cups, and custom solid matrix containers up to 25 g. It supports EPA-approved matrices including drinking water, groundwater, wastewater, soil, and sludge. All operational parameters—purge time, trap desorption ramp rates, bake-out duration, and GC trigger timing—are configurable to satisfy method-defined tolerances. The system complies with data integrity requirements under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when used with validated software (e.g., TekLink or third-party GC control platforms supporting electronic signatures and audit trails). Routine operation adheres to GLP/GMP documentation standards, and hardware calibration records are provided with delivery.

Software & Data Management

Control is executed via Tekmar’s legacy TekLink software (v3.5+), which runs on Windows 7/10 (32-bit compatible) and provides full method development, sequence programming, real-time status monitoring, and raw data export in .csv and .txt formats. Each run generates a comprehensive log file containing timestamps, setpoint deviations, trap temperature profiles, and GC trigger confirmation. For modern laboratory environments, the instrument supports OPC UA-compliant middleware for integration into enterprise-level data acquisition systems. All firmware versions installed are verified against Tekmar’s official release notes; no unauthorized modifications are present.

Applications

• Regulatory compliance testing for VOCs in environmental monitoring programs (e.g., U.S. EPA Region 1–10, EU WFD Directive 2000/60/EC)
• Soil vapor intrusion assessment per ASTM D7683 and ASTM D6710 protocols
• Drinking water quality verification under US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) maximum contaminant levels (MCLs)
• Industrial effluent screening in petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor manufacturing facilities
• Method development and validation for emerging contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane, chlorinated solvents, and fuel oxygenates

FAQ

Is this unit factory-refurbished or dealer-certified?
This Tekmar 3100 unit has been certified by an authorized Tekmar distributor following OEM refurbishment guidelines, including full mechanical inspection, electronics diagnostics, trap replacement, and performance verification against Method 524.2 acceptance criteria.
What documentation accompanies the instrument?
Delivery includes a Certificate of Operational Verification, calibration logbook, firmware version report, spare consumables list (including one set of traps and septa), and digital copies of the user manual and safety guide.
Can it be integrated with Agilent or Thermo GC systems?
Yes—the 3100 supports standard GC start/stop signaling via TTL or contact closure, and is pre-configured for compatibility with Agilent 7890/8890, Thermo ISQ/TRACE 1300, and Shimadzu GC-2030 platforms.
Does the 6-month warranty cover labor and parts?
The warranty covers all hardware components and on-site labor for failures attributable to material or workmanship defects under normal laboratory use conditions; consumables (traps, septa, tubing) and software licensing are excluded.