Thermo Scientific TriPlus 100 LS Liquid Autosampler

Significance of the Topic

The reliable automation of liquid injections is a cornerstone in high-throughput gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) laboratories. By minimizing manual handling, laboratories can achieve consistent injection volumes, reduce variability, and extend unattended run times—ultimately improving data quality and operational efficiency.

Objectives and Overview

This document presents the Thermo Scientific TriPlus 100 LS Liquid Autosampler, a dedicated liquid-injection platform evolved from the TriPlus RSH series. It aims to simplify automated workflows, accommodate large sample volumes, and integrate seamlessly with a wide range of GC and GC-MS instruments for continuous, high-productivity operation.

Used Instrumentation

The core device is the TriPlus 100 LS autosampler, featuring precision X-Y-Z robotic movements. It interfaces with Thermo Scientific TRACE series, Agilent, Shimadzu, PerkinElmer, and Bruker GC systems. Control is provided via Thermo Scientific Chromeleon software or third-party drivers, with an optional handheld controller for local operation.

Methodology and Main Features

The autosampler automates liquid injections and sample preparation steps through a modular architecture:

• Sample capacity: up to 162 standard 2 mL vials (expandable to 648) or up to 4 608 wells in microtiter plates.
• Syringe volumes: 0.1–100 µL, with programmable injection speeds ranging from 0.1 to 900 µL/s.
• Eight preset injection modes (basic, enrichment, internal standard addition, solvent wash, and combinations) for diverse matrices.
• Multiple solvent stations (standard 40 mL, large-volume 2×100 mL, fast-wash micro-pump) to minimize cross-contamination.
• Optional modules: agitator (40–200 °C), vortexer (up to 2 000 rpm), barcode reader (UPC, EAN, Code-128, ISBT), temperature-controlled drawer (4–40 °C), and liquid-cooled tray holder (4–70 °C).
• Dual-GC operation modes (Double Pro and Confirmation) allow one autosampler to serve two GC inlets or two independent instruments under one or two methods.

Main Results and Discussion

Performance evaluations demonstrate precision better than 0.3 % RSD under standard conditions and reliable operation with viscous or volatile solvents. The high-capacity design and integrated washing strategies enable extended unattended sequences, while dual-mode injection and multi-port access significantly boost throughput and reduce per-sample costs.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Enhanced throughput through simultaneous operation on multiple instruments and rapid wash cycles timed during GC temperature changes.
• Reduced contamination via dedicated solvent flush sequences and large wash volumes.
• Flexible sample handling accommodating a broad range of vial sizes, plate formats, and injection volumes.
• Seamless integration with existing GC/GC-MS platforms and chromatography data systems for streamlined workflow deployment.

Future Trends and Potential Uses

Emerging directions include integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) for full chain-of-custody tracking, AI-driven optimization of injection parameters, expanded on-board sample preparation (derivatization, solid-phase extraction), and remote monitoring via IoT-enabled diagnostics.

Conclusion

The Thermo Scientific TriPlus 100 LS Liquid Autosampler delivers a robust, high-capacity solution for automated liquid injections in GC and GC-MS laboratories. Its modular design, multi-instrument compatibility, and advanced injection modes address the evolving needs of high-throughput analytical workflows.