Automated liner exchange— A novel approach in direct thermal desorption— gas chromatography

A system was developed for fully automated liner exchange in direct thermal desorption— gas chromatography— mass spectrometry (DTD-GC-MS). Samples are put into a newly developed liner which is capped with a standard crimp cap. The liners are placed in a sample tray and transported to the thermal desorption device. Both liner transport and liner exchange (which can be performed after each analysis) are automated. The system was tested for spores and pollen, vegetable oil, wood (preservative), car exhaust (BTEX), and tobacco (nicotine) analysis to demonstrate the robustness and flexibility of the approach.