Thermal Desorption Sample Tubes

	High sensitivity High recovery Reusable
Thermal Desorption Tubes Product Data Bulletin (PDF)

Thermal Desorption

SKC sorbent technology research has produced superior materials for the collection of organic compounds for thermal desorption. Thermal desorption techniques offer the advantage of greatly improved analytical sensitivity. Because a solvent is not used, the collected sample is not diluted and, in most cases, analytical recovery is so close to 100% that desorption efficiency corrections are not required.

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Sorbents

To be suitable for thermal desorption, sorbents must meet exacting specifications that include:

• Low contaminant background
• High thermal stability
• Sufficient adsorptive strength to retain components of interest, but release them quickly when heat is applied.

Recent developments in sorbent technology have provided some superior materials for the collection of organic compounds for thermal desorption.

Anasorb® 747 is a beaded active carbon with the capacity for organic vapors similar to petroleum-based charcoals. This sorbent also samples for nonpolar organic compounds.

Anasorb GCB1 (Graphitized Carbon Black) has a moderate surface area (100 to 200 m²/g) and is comparable to Carbotrap® B. This sorbent has proven to be valuable for sampling compounds of intermediate to high volatility.

Anasorb GCB2 (Graphitized Carbon Black) has a low surface area (10 to 13 m²/g) and is comparable to Carbotrap® C. This sorbent has been shown to be useful for collecting semi-volatile organic compounds.

Anasorb CMS is a traditional sorbent for trapping low boiling compounds. It is suitable for use in EPA Method TO-2 or IP-1B and is comparable to Carbosieve® S-III.

Tenax® TA is a traditional sorbent for trapping medium to high boiling compounds; it is especially useful for low concentrations because of its low background. Tenax TA is suitable for use in EPA Method TO-1 or IP-1B.

Tenax GR is a Tenax/graphite composite that extends the range of Tenax to lower boiling compounds. It retains the ability of Tenax to be easily cleaned to a very low background.

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Thermal Desorption Tube Selection

All SKC thermal desorption tubes are sealed with Teflon end caps and marked with a permanent serial number. When ordered, SKC thermal desorption tubes receive extensive thermal conditioning that remains valid for 30 days. Glass transport tubes and Swagelok® fittings are available as accessory items.

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Perkin Elmer, Shimadzu, or Unity Thermal Desorber Tubes

Available in glass or stainless steel, these tubes measure 0.25-inch OD x 3.5-inch length.

Applications	Sorbent† Amount	Description	Qty.	Cat. No. #
ASTM D6196	Anasorb GCB1 400 mg (60 mm)	S.S., open *	1	226-356
		Glass, open *	1	226-359
ASTM D6196 MDHS 22, 23, 31, 40, 72	Tenax TA 250 mg (60 mm)	S.S., open *	1	226-357
		Glass, open *	1	226-360
ASTM D6196 MDHS 72	Chromosorb 106 350 mg (60 mm)	S.S., open *	1	226-358
		Glass, open *	1	226-361
EPA TO-1 EPA IP-1B	Tenax TA (35/60 Mesh) 100 mg	S.S., open	1	226-340
		Glass, open	1	226-339
EPA TO-2	Anasorb CMS (60/80 Mesh) 100 mg	S.S., open	1	226-341
EPA TO-17	Tenax GR /Anasorb GCB1 120 mg/125 mg (30 mm/ 25 mm)	Glass, open *	1	226-345
EPA TO-17	Anasorb GCB1 / CMS 174 mg / 80 mg (40 mm / 15 mm)	Glass, open *	1	226-346
EPA TO-17	Anasorb GCB2/GCB1/CMS 120 mg / 125 mg / 105 mg (15 mm/20 mm/15 mm)	Glass, open *	1	226-347
EPA TO-17	Tenax GR / Anasorb GCB1 150 mg /175 mg (30 mm/25 mm)	S.S, open *	1	226-348
EPA TO-17	Anasorb GCB1 / CMS 280 mg /165 mg (40 mm / 15 mm)	S.S., open *	1	226-349
EPA TO-17	Anasorb GCB2/GCB1/CMS 210 mg / 140 mg / 165 mg (15 mm / 20 mm / 15 mm)	S.S., open *	1	226-350

 

Thermal Desorption Tubes Product Data Bulletin (PDF)

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Dynatherm Thermal Desorber Tubes

Available in glass, these tubes measure 6-mm OD x 115-mm length.

Applications	Sorbent† Amount	Description	Qty.	Cat. No.
EPA IP-1B	Anasorb CMS/GCB1/GCB2 100 mg /150mg /250 mg	Glass, open	1	226-330

Thermal Desorption Tubes Product Data Bulletin (PDF)

Table Notes

†	Anasorb GCB1 is similar to Carbotrap® B Anasorb GCB2 is similar to Carbotrap C Anasorb CMS is similar to Carbosieve S-III
#	Tubes are conditioned in manufacturing, if not used within 30 days, they must be reconditioned.
*	Each tube has a flow direction arrow and unique number
Note: EPA methods allow some flexibility accommodating similar sampling protocols, however, such flexibility places documentation responsibility on the user. For a detailed explanation, refer to the methods.

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Accessories	Qty.	Cat. No.
Glass Transport Tubes, for 3.5-inch long tubes	5	226-300
Glass Transport Tubes, for 7-inch long tubes	5	226-301
Teflon Ferrules (set of 2)	set	P30121
Swagelok Fittings, for 0.25 inch OD tubes (set of 2)	set	P50291

 

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Custom Tubes Available

For specific applications, SKC will manufacture custom thermal desorption sorbent tubes to meet your specific requirements. Download the Custom Sorbent Tube Order Form in PDF format. Complete the form and fax it to your SKC representative or contact your SKC representative or call the SKC Sales Department at 724-941-9701 for more information.

Custom Sorbent Tubes for Thermal Desorption Order Forms (PDF Format)

Thermal Desorption Tubes Product Data Bulletin (PDF)

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This page was last modified August 28, 2008