New Restek leak detector efficiently identifies
costly leaks in gas chromatography systems

Gas leaks in your system not only waste gas but can also cause detector noise, baseline data instability and lead to shorter column life.

This new hand-held leak detector available from Thames Restek, both detects and identifies minute leaks of the most commonly used gases, so that the integrity of the gas chromatography system is protected and maintained - and costly repairs avoided.

The instrument's probe plus adaptor ensure that even the hardest-to-reach parts of the system can be tested. The sensors compare the thermal conductivity of the detected gas drawn in by the probe with ambient air and any leak detected is shown by a clear LED display and audible alarm.

Refer to pictures above: This new hand-held leak detector available from Thames Restek, both detects and identifies minute leaks of the most commonly used gases, so that the integrity of the gas chromatography system is protected and maintained - and costly repairs avoided.

Gases that can be detected by the Leak Detector are helium, hydrogen, nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide with either a red or yellow LED display signifying which gas. The greater the number of red or yellow LED lights showing generally indicates the magnitude of the leak.

Its optimised sample flow path ensures that the new Restek Leak Detector is highly responsive and effective, with a minimum detectable leak rate ranging from 1.0 x 10ˉ to 1.4 x 10ˉ atm cc/sec.

Backed by a 1-year warranty and priced at only £ 875 (including charger), it sets an industry standard for performance and affordability in hand-held leak detectors.  The longer-lasting Ni-MH battery gives up to 6 hours of continuous use. It provides handy probe storage for cleanliness and convenience. The ergonomic design, rugged side grips for added durability, a protective storage case, universal charger and easy-to-clean probe assembly complete a very effective leak detection package that can save you time and money.

With 20 years experience in the industry, Thames Restek provides an unrivalled range of quality chromatography equipment and accessories from key manufacturers including the US Restek Corporation as well as Parker Balston, Valco and Hamilton. The company prides itself on its ability to react quickly to customers' requirements and the extensive technical knowledge of its team.

For further information on Thames Restek, its comprehensive product range and to get a copy of the 2009 Catalogue on CD or in print, Tel: 01494 563377 or view website: www.thamesrestek.co.uk   Refer to page 261

Agilent Technologies dramatically increases GC productivity with a low
thermal mass rapid heating/cooling option for its 7890A gas chromatograph

Agilent Technologies' low thermal mass (LTM) system for rapid heating and cooling of its 7890A gas chromatograph (GC), greatly increases productivity by significantly reducing analytical cycle times. This option is also available for the older Agilent 6890 GC.

Agilent acquired this proprietary LTM technology with the purchase of RVM Scientific in June 2008. The patented design involves wrapping heating elements and temperature sensors directly around the GC column, enabling dramatically faster temperature cycles compared to standard oven-based configurations.

"Customers constantly tell us they want to run more samples per shift, and our new LTM delivers this in a big way," said Shanya Kane, Agilent vice president and general manager, Gas Chromatography Systems and Workflow Automation. "We're constantly seeking ways to make GC and GC/MS more productive for routine analyses and challenging applications, and this is the latest example of success in these efforts."

Synergy with Agilent Capillary Flow Technology
The fast cycle times of LTM are particularly well-suited for the hydrocarbon industry, environmental analysis, food safety testing, forensics, pharmaceutical QA/QC and food/flavor/fragrance analysis. Until now, due to their interwoven heating elements, a concern about LTM columns was protecting the inlet end of the column from contamination. Agilent already had a solution to this problem with its Capillary Flow Technology.

Using this proprietary, leak-free method of flow connection and diversion, Agilent developed a robust backflush function, letting users flush high boiling compounds back out of the column inlet to extend column life. This technique has the added benefit of eliminating time-consuming column bake-out of these late eluting compounds, further increasing throughput by a wide margin.

Agilent Capillary Flow Technology also enables other useful configurations, including multidimensional GC and comprehensive GC for complex samples. With LTM technology, multiple LTM column modules can be temperature programmed for simultaneous, independent operation.

Little Change to Existing Methods
The Agilent LTM option uses the same injectors, detectors and fused silica columns of the Agilent 7890A or 6890, requiring little change to existing GC and GC/MS methods. Agilent Method Translation Software makes any desired changes easy to achieve.

The LTM configuration delivers excellent retention time repeatability comparable to conventional GC. LTM hardware consists of a replacement door for the Agilent 7890A or 6890 GC, containing built-in electronics and slots for one to four GC column modules. LTM control software integrates with specific Agilent software platforms, including GC and GC/MS ChemStation, for convenient operation. If desired, the instrument can still be used as a conventional oven-based GC.

Agilent has a long history of innovation in GC and GC/MS, and a reputation for building rugged instruments. Agilent's predecessor, Hewlett Packard, entered the gas chromatography market in 1958, and the company has been a leader in GC and GC/MS continuously since then. Firsts include microprocessor control in 1973 and the first benchtop GC/MS system in 1975. In 1996, the HP Model 5973 introduced the gold-plated hyperbolic quartz quadrupole mass filter, a breakthrough in instrument stability and performance. Agilent spun off from Hewlett Packard in 1999, and the GC and GC/MS innovation continued in both hardware and software through the present.

For further information about the Agilent LTM for GC, view website: www.chem.agilent.com/Scripts/PDS.asp?lPage=64840   Refer to next page

Markes International launches new thermal
desorption instrument for VOC and SVOC analysis

Specialist analytical thermal desorption instrumentation manufacturer Markes International Ltd has announced the launch of its new thermal desorption (TD) instrument for gas chromatography (GC). The new TD-100™ is the latest in a line of innovative and technologically advanced thermal desorption systems from the company. The system is based on the established and reliable thermal desorption technology for which Markes is renowned. The TD-100 incorporates sample re-collection for repeat analysis, electrical cooling to lower running costs and maintain instrument "up time" and is compatible with all TD-compatible compound types (VOC, SVOC and reactive species; high concentration right down to trace level samples).

A low-cost, fully automated instrument, the TD-100 couples to any make of GC or GC/MS and complies with standard methods. It is a high capacity instrument capable of the sequential analysis of up to 100 sorbent tubes, which is perfect for high-throughput laboratories and offers reliable and unattended operation for extended periods of time. To make sample and tube tracking hassle-free and to eliminate the chance of errors, the TD-100 includes RFID sample sorbent tube tracking technology (TubeTAG™) as standard.

The TD-100 has been designed for the sampling and analysis of trace toxic and odorous chemicals (VOC and SVOC) in air/gas and materials. Relevant application areas include materials emissions testing (for example, compliance with construction products regulations or REACH), environmental/indoor air monitoring, workplace air monitoring, food, flavour and fragrance profiling, civil defence and forensics.

Markes International Ltd is the world leader in TD technology and innovation, manufacturing and supplying cryogen-free TD instrumentation, sampling accessories and consumables for VOC and SVOC monitoring. Markes' global customer base includes major industry, government agencies, academia and the service laboratory sector.

For further information on this or Markes' other thermal desorption instruments, accessories or consumables, e-mail: enquiries@markes.com