Accessories

Barcode scanners for sorbent tubes

All Markes International’s thermal desorption tubes (sorbent tubes) are permanently labelled with a unique serial number in clear barcode and numerical format for identification and tracking purposes. To reliably read these barcodes, Markes supplies a tried-and-tested barcode scanner that reads from the curved surfaces of stainless steel, inert and glass tubes with ease. 

- Eliminates time-consuming manual data entry

- Reduces the risk of human error, which could result in misreporting

- Helps maintain sample integrity and keep track of samples

CapLok and TAGLok tools

CapLok is a two-part tool specifically designed to simplify the capping and uncapping of sorbent tubes. It is intended to be used in place of a pair of wrenches, to allow the tube to be gripped appropriately, allowing correct compression of long-term storage caps and prevent overtightening. When using Markes’ patented TubeTAG technology for tracking tubes, a TAGLok tool is needed in place of the CapLok tool.

- Ensures an effective seal is achieved between the ferrule in the long-term storage cap and the tube

- Prevents overtightening of caps, which can cause distortion of the tube ends and the PTFE ferrule within the cap

- Robust and simple to use

Read more: CapLok tool Instruction for use

Direct desorption/thermal extraction

Direct desorption is a variation on the principle of dynamic headspace that can be used to rapidly screen small quantities of solid or semi-solid materials. Small samples are placed directly into empty TD tubes or via tube liners. These are then heated in a stream of inert gas to sweep volatiles directly from the sample matrix onto the focusing trap of the thermal desorption instrument, for subsequent analysis by GC.

Direct desorption is typically applied to homogeneous waxes, powders or pastes. Analytes monitored are generally in the range C₃ to C_30. Applications of direct desorption include the odour profiling and quality control of a range of materials:

- Residual volatiles in ointments, packaging films, pharmaceuticals/drug powders and polymer beads.

- Emissions from consumer goods, such as paints, car trim components, moulded PVC and adhesives.

- Characteristic vapour profiles from foodstuffs and fragrant products, including soap powder and shampoo.

TC-20 & TC-20 TAG

Conditioning and dry-purging units for multiple sorbent tubes

TC-20™ and TC-20 TAG™ are compact, stand-alone devices for the simultaneous conditioning or dry-purging of up to 20 thermal desorption sorbent tubes. TC-20 is used by thermal desorption–GC analysts who want to improve their laboratory’s productivity by avoiding using valuable instrument time for conditioning sorbent tubes. TC-20 TAG is a variant of the TC-20 for those who use Markes’ RFID TubeTAG tube tagging system with single-bed sorbent tubes. It is especially useful for those working to the US EPA Method 325 regulation.

Read more: TC-20 and TC-20 TAG brochure