Parallel and Automatic SPE Processing of Large Volume Water Samples

The new robotic system FREESTYLE XANA of LCTech GmbH enables reliable and unattended sample preparation of water samples with a volume of 1 L up to 10 L from the raw sample up to the filling into GC vials.

FREESTYLE XANA has been specifically developed for the automated sample preparation of large-volume water samples like drinking water, raw water, or river water. Without the need for supervision the system processes samples over 24 hours and seven days per week.

A very high sample throughput of 65 samples per day achieves FREESTYLE XANA due to parallelisation of the processing steps and the simultaneous operation of three samples. Controlled pressurisation of up to 4 bar in many cases pushes samples even with suspended matter through the SPE columns.

FREESTYLE XANA consists of the basic building block of the xyz-robotic system, FREESTYLE BASIC, and the SPE module. As an option, the platform can be fitted with an EVAporation module, whereby the sample can be eluted directly into the EVAporation chamber, evaporated according to your specific needs, and afterwards filled into GC-vials, ready for subsequent analysis.

Each module can be used separately for solid phase extraction, evaporation or for combined applications. Thus, the system is equally well suited for use in both smaller and high throughput laboratories. The user chooses the required application from the FREESTYLE software with just a few mouse clicks.

Permanent pressure monitoring during loading and elution gives users the security they need to operate the system without supervision. If a pre-defined pressure value is exceeded, the system will stop the processing of this sample, which will be marked in the sequence list for post-processing action. Then the system will continue with the next sample.

For an easy exchange of sample bottles the sample rack is extendible and the closure of the sample bottles is designed for one hand operation.

A table specifically designed for FREESTYLE XANA is also available providing space for all components and enabling comfortable working.