Equipment Roundup: Markes Launches TC-30 Multi-Tube Conditioner for TD–GC Laboratories

Markes International, a Velaris brand, announced this morning the launch of the TC-30, a next-generation multi-tube conditioner designed to help laboratories protect sample integrity, improve productivity and reduce operating costs in thermal desorption - gas chromatography (TD–GC) workflows.

Building on the success of the TC-20, the TC-30, the manufacturer announced, enables automated conditioning and dry-purging of up to 30 sorbent tubes simultaneously. By operating off-line from the TD–GC system, it frees analytical instruments for sample analysis while maintaining a continuous supply of clean tubes.

Residual contamination and moisture in sorbent tubes can compromise trace-level sensitivity and lead to re-analysis. The TC-30 uses clean, dry nitrogen to minimize background interference while reducing reliance on helium, helping laboratories protect data quality and control costs.

Nigel Fry, Life Segment President (Markes, GERSTEL, LCTech), Velaris said, “Reliable trace-level analysis begins with well-conditioned sampling tools. The TC-30 was developed to meet customer demand for higher throughput and lower operating costs, enabling laboratories to automate conditioning and focus analytical systems on sample analysis.”

“The TC-30 delivers consistently clean tubes through automated, high-capacity conditioning, helping laboratories protect trace-level sensitivity while improving workflow efficiency,” said Rachael Szafnauer, Group Product Marketing Manager – GC Sample Introduction Technologies at Markes, headquartered in Bridgend, Wales (United Kingdom).

Protecting Data Confidence in Trace-Level Analysis

In VOC monitoring workflows, artefacts, residual contamination and carryover in sorbent tubes can compromise analytical sensitivity and lead to costly re-analysis. The TC-30 helps laboratories protect data integrity by delivering consistent, automated conditioning cycles that minimize background interference and preserve ultra-trace analytical performance.

By ensuring sampling tools are conditioned consistently across users and batches, the system supports reliable, reproducible results in high-sensitivity analytical applications.

Maximizing Productivity and Instrument Uptime

Conditioning tubes directly on TD–GC instruments can significantly reduce available time for sample analysis. Operating independently as a standalone platform, the TC-30 enables laboratories to condition tubes and analyse samples simultaneously, helping maximize instrument utilization and overall workflow efficiency.

Automated, unattended operation throughout the conditioning cycle allows laboratories to extend productive instrument time without increasing staffing requirements.

Reducing operating costs through efficient gas management

The TC-30 uses clean, dry nitrogen rather than expensive helium carrier gas for conditioning workflows. Combined with batch processing and efficient post-conditioning cooling, this approach helps laboratories reduce gas consumption and lower ongoing operational costs.

Flexible, user-friendly conditioning across sampling formats

Designed for ease of use in busy laboratory environments, the TC-30 integrates an intuitive touchscreen interface with pre-configured and fully programmable conditioning methods.

The system is compatible with a wide range of industry-standard sampling formats, including sorbent tubes, HiSorb probes and TF-SPME including GERSTEL Twister® stir bars and mini-tubes, enabling laboratories to streamline conditioning workflows across diverse analytical applications.

Supporting high-performance VOC monitoring

The TC-30 forms part of Markes’ portfolio of thermal desorption and sampling technologies, designed to support laboratories working in environmental monitoring, materials testing, food safety, consumer products and research.

Markes is a global leader in thermal desorption instrumentation for the analysis of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs). Its technologies enable laboratories worldwide to generate high-confidence analytical data across applications including environmental monitoring, materials testing, food and beverage, consumer products and research.

www.markes.com