Agilent Sample Introduction Portfolio

Significance of Sample Introduction in Analytical Chemistry

Automated and accurate sample introduction is fundamental to achieving reproducible and reliable analytical results across applications such as environmental contaminant monitoring, pharmaceutical purity testing, and food safety analysis. By minimizing manual handling and ensuring consistent injection protocols, laboratories can enhance data quality, reduce errors, and increase throughput.

Objectives and Overview of the Portfolio

This document reviews Agilent’s comprehensive portfolio of sample introduction systems designed to address evolving laboratory requirements. The goal is to match specific analytical workflows—ranging from routine liquid injections to complex headspace and thermal desorption procedures—with optimized hardware solutions that support high precision and productivity.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Agilent’s portfolio includes a range of autosamplers and related devices that automate sample preparation and injection for gas chromatography (GC) and GC/MS:

• Liquid Sampling Systems: 7693A Automatic Liquid Sampler (ALS) with sandwich-injection capability, variable injection volumes (0.01–250 µL), and dual-tower design for simultaneous injections.
• Intermediate ALS: 7650A ALS offering programmable plunger speeds and consistent performance for moderate throughput needs.
• Headspace Samplers: 7697A with electronic pneumatic control and vial leak checking, and 8697 with integrated communication and remote accessibility.
• Multi-Mode Platforms: Agilent PAL sampler series combining liquid, headspace, and SPME workflows in a single unit.
• Thermal Desorption: Markes TD100-xr for direct desorption of sorbent tubes and on-line canister analysis without cryogen.
• Purge and Trap: Tekmar Atomx XYZ for moisture-controlled trapping of volatile analytes from water and soil samples.
• Field-Portable Probe: Thermal Separation Probe enabling rapid, minimal-prep analysis of solid, liquid, and slurry matrices.

Main Features and Discussion of Performance

Key attributes highlighted across the portfolio include:

• Flexible sample handling options such as liquid–liquid extraction, small-volume sampling, standard addition, dilution/aliquoting, and in-vial heating/mixing.
• Advanced injection techniques, including multi-layer sandwich injections to add internal standards and protectants in a single step.
• Integrated software tools supporting method development, sample look-ahead, barometric compensation, and comprehensive resource management.
• High-capacity vial handling: from 16–150 vials on ALS systems to up to 111 vials on headspace samplers and specialized trays for SPME accessories.
• Compatibility with a broad range of GC platforms (Intuvo, 8890, 8860, 7890, 7820A, 6850, 6890, and 5975T GC/MS) to allow seamless integration into existing workflows.

Benefits and Practical Applications

By implementing Agilent’s sample introduction solutions, laboratories can:

• Improve analytical precision and reduce variability through automated, controlled injection steps.
• Increase throughput by minimizing manual intervention and enabling unattended batch runs.
• Adapt quickly to changing project requirements with modular systems that support multiple sampling modes.
• Extend instrument lifetime and maintain chromatographic integrity with inert flow paths and leak-checked pneumatics.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging developments in sample introduction point toward:

• Greater integration of artificial intelligence and machine-learning algorithms for predictive maintenance and automated method optimization.
• Enhanced remote monitoring and cloud-based data management to streamline QC/QA workflows across distributed laboratories.
• Miniaturized, mobile autosampler units for on-site and field analyses without compromising performance.
• Expanded adoption of multimodal platforms to consolidate multiple preparation techniques into a single, flexible instrument.

Conclusion

Agilent’s broad portfolio of sample introduction products addresses diverse analytical challenges by delivering precision, reliability, and scalability. From high-throughput liquid injections to advanced headspace and thermal desorption workflows, these systems empower laboratories to meet stringent regulatory requirements and accelerate time-to-result while maintaining data integrity.

Reference

No specific literature references were provided in the source document.