Thermal Desorption Sample Tubes

Suitable for EPA TO-17 Sampling of VOCs

	High sensitivity High recovery Reusable
Thermal Desorption Tubes Spec. Sheet (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.

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

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/gm) 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/gm) 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.

Thermal Desorption Tube Selection
All SKC thermal desorption tubes are sealed with PTFE 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.

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.

Thermal Desorption Tubes Spec. Sheet (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.

Accessories	Qty.	Cat. No.
Glass Transport Tubes, for 3.5-inch length tubes	5	226-300
PTFE Ferrules, set of 2	set	P30121
Swagelok Fittings, for 0.25-inch OD tubes, set of 2	set	P50291

Thermal Desorption Tubes Spec. Sheet (PDF)