Teledyne Tekmar SolaTEK 72 Purge and Trap Autosampler

Overview

The Teledyne Tekmar SolaTEK 72 is a high-performance, benchtop purge and trap autosampler engineered for trace-level volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis in environmental, regulatory, and industrial laboratories. It operates on the principle of dynamic headspace extraction: aqueous or solid-phase samples are purged with inert gas (typically helium or nitrogen), volatilizing target analytes which are then quantitatively trapped onto a sorbent-packed concentrator tube. Following desorption via rapid resistive heating, analytes are transferred directly into a gas chromatograph (GC) for separation and detection—enabling sub-part-per-trillion (ppt) detection limits for compounds such as benzene, chloroform, vinyl chloride, and trihalomethanes. As a fully automated system, the SolaTEK 72 integrates precise liquid handling, temperature-controlled purge vessels, programmable trap conditioning, and robust valving architecture to ensure method reproducibility and minimal carryover. This refurbished unit has undergone full functional validation at SpectraLab Scientific’s ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration facility and meets original equipment manufacturer (OEM) performance specifications for retention time stability, peak area RSD (<3%), and blank integrity.

Key Features

• 72-position sample carousel accommodating 40-mL VOA vials with integrated septum-piercing needle and leak-tight sealing mechanism
• Programmable purge parameters: flow rate (10–500 mL/min), temperature (25–100 °C), and duration (1–30 min) with real-time monitoring and logging
• Triple-bed sorbent trap (Tenax TA / Silica Gel / Carbosieve S-III) with automated thermal desorption up to 350 °C and cryofocusing capability down to –30 °C
• Integrated internal standard spiking module with dual-syringe precision delivery (±1% volume accuracy)
• Self-diagnostic firmware with error logging, valve cycle counters, and trap life tracking aligned with EPA QA/QC requirements
• Modular design supporting field upgrades including solid-phase microextraction (SPME) interface kits and automated soil extraction modules

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SolaTEK 72 accepts liquid matrices (groundwater, wastewater, drinking water), solid-phase samples (soil, sediment, sludge) via methanol extraction or direct thermal desorption, and air samples using Tedlar bag interfaces. All operational sequences comply with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 524.4 for VOCs in drinking water and Method 8260D for VOCs in solid and aqueous matrices. The system supports GLP/GMP workflows through audit-trail-enabled software logs, user-access controls, and electronic signature readiness per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated chromatography data systems (CDS). Traceability is maintained via unique instrument ID tagging, method versioning, and raw data file hashing.

Software & Data Management

The SolaTEK 72 communicates via RS-232 or Ethernet to industry-standard CDS platforms without proprietary middleware. Method files contain embedded calibration curves, QC flagging rules (e.g., surrogate recovery thresholds, internal standard response ratios), and automatic pass/fail evaluation against EPA-defined criteria (e.g., surrogate recoveries 70–130%). Raw event logs—including purge pressure profiles, trap desorption thermograms, and valve actuation timestamps—are archived in ASCII format for third-party review. SpectraLab provides post-delivery software configuration support, including method migration assistance and CDS integration verification reports.

Applications

• Regulatory compliance testing for EPA-regulated drinking water utilities and wastewater treatment facilities
• Soil vapor intrusion assessments under ASTM D7137-19 for volatile hydrocarbon migration pathways
• Pharmaceutical residual solvent analysis per ICH Q2(R2) guidelines requiring rigorous method validation
• Forensic toxicology screening for volatile metabolites in biological fluids
• Industrial hygiene monitoring of workplace air for OSHA-permissible exposure limits (PELs)

FAQ

Is this unit covered by the original Tekmar warranty?
No—this is a refurbished unit with a 6-month limited hardware warranty administered by SpectraLab Scientific, covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal laboratory use.
Does the system include a GC interface kit?
Yes—the unit ships with standard GC transfer line, universal GC connector fittings, and helium/nitrogen supply adapters compatible with Agilent, Thermo Fisher, and Shimadzu GC inlets.
Can the SolaTEK 72 be validated for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
Yes—when operated with a validated CDS and documented SOPs, the system supports electronic records and signatures; SpectraLab provides IQ/OQ documentation templates aligned with ASTM E2500 and GAMP5 principles.
What maintenance history is available for this specific unit?
Full service log—including trap replacements, valve maintenance dates, and calibration certificates from the prior 4-year operational period—is provided upon request prior to purchase.
Is remote diagnostics supported?
The SolaTEK 72 does not feature built-in remote access; however, its serial/Ethernet interface allows integration with lab-wide networked monitoring tools via Modbus TCP or custom API scripting.