November 2007
Markes International opens a USA subsidiary
Markes International Inc.
1440 Whalley Ave. #224
New Haven,
CT 06516
USA
Tel (toll free): 1-866-483-5684
September 2007
HS-TD technology for the routine detection of ppt level odorants in drinking water
Technical Note (TDTS) # 78 & Product Brochure (HS-TD)
Markes International announces routine detection of ppt level geosmin, methyl-i-borneol and other odorants in drinking water using its new expanded range of equilibrium headspace - thermal desorption (HS-TD) technology.
Designed to integrate with several leading brands of HS systems, the Markes HS-TD system integrates two of the most important GC sample introduction techniques – equilibrium headspace (HS) and thermal desorption (TD). HS-TD opens up new possibilities to users who need enhanced sensitivity for HS applications and/or require a versatile sample introduction system capable of dealing with any matrix: Solid, liquid or gas.
HS-TD incorporates the Markes UNITY thermal desorber, with its market leading trapping technology and pioneering quantitative sample re-collection facility. The combined system offers three modes of operation:
- Automated HS-trap – offering enhanced sensitivity and a wider volatility range than conventional headspace and without the foaming and complexity of purge-and-trap
- Method-compliant analytical thermal desorption (TD)
- Conventional automated equilibrium headspace (HS)
Data presented in a new Markes technical publication, TDTS#78. Low ppt levels of geosmin, methyl-i-borneol and other odorants in drinking water using headspace–thermal desorption (HS-TD), shows robust routine operation of the HS-TD system for monitoring key odour compounds such as geosmin and methyl-i-borneol down to 1 ppt levels in drinking water. This is 10x lower than the olfactory threshold. At a time when drinking water quality is increasingly important due to water shortages around the world, this application will be of interest to every drinking water laboratory.
September 2007
On-line air monitoring for trace levels of H2S, mercaptans (thiols) and other reduced sulphur compounds
Technical Note (TDTS) # 32
Markes has re-issued technical note #32 (downloadable from this website as a PDF file).
UNITY-Air Server configured with GC-PFPD, or equivalent sulphur detector, has now been shown to allow H2S, mercaptans and other reduced sulphur compounds to be monitored in air at sub-ppb and low-ppb levels. Extensive supportive data is available from both the method development process and from subsequent field operation at multiple sites. The first half of the application note gives the method details.
The analysis is carried out on whole air samples (no sorbent tubes) i.e. canisters, bags or on-line air streams. Field monitoring is typically carried out unattended and on-line on a round-the-clock continuous basis. A controlled flow of air is drawn from the sample manifold directly into the electrically-cooled focusing trap of UNITY before trap desorption injects the retained analytes into the GC analytical system and triggers the start of the run. Collection of the next air sample can begin as soon as the focusing trap has re-equilibrated at the trapping temperature.
Key applications include:
- Landfill odour
- Odours in urban air
- Fence-line monitoring of petrochemical plant and other industrial installations
- Odour from sewage treatment works
September 2007
An update for counter-terrorism and chemical agent specialists:
Enhanced sensitivity for trace agent detection using a NEW high-throughput ‘DAAMS’ tube analyzer
Auto-DAAMS
Markes customers in chemical warfare and counter-terrorism arenas have been so impressed by the analytical performance and automation capability of Markes ULTRA-UNITY TD system for standard 3.5-inch sorbent tubes that they have asked us to make the same technology available for stocks of 4.5-inch sorbent ‘DAAMS’ (Depot Area Air Monitoring System) tubes.
In response to this, we are pleased to announce the introduction of Auto-DAAMS, a state-of-the-art automated thermal desorber, for up to 100 4.5-inch (115 mm) tubes incorporating the field-proven reliability and peerless analytical performance of ULTRA-UNITY.
Auto-DAAMS is compatible with both standard- and high-flow 4.5-inch DAAMS tubes i.e. both 6 mm OD tubes and 10 mm OD tubes with 6 mm ends.
Markes Auto-DAAMS offers all the technical advantages of standard ULTRA-UNITY systems. Key capabilities include:
- Detection down to general population limit (GPL) levels (i.e. below 0.001 µg/m3) via efficient, electrically-cooled focusing and ultra-fast trap desorption.
- Analysis of all GC-compatible CW agents, including CS gas and free-(underivatized) VX, on a single TD platform.
- Compatibility with high concentrations – Short Term Exposure Levels (STEL) or Immediate Danger to Life and Health levels (IDLH).
- Maximized throughput with unattended fully-automated analysis for up to 100 DAAMS tubes.
- Reduced false positives and enhanced data integrity via stringent sample validation steps (leak testing, effective tube seals, repeat analysis, retention time stabilisation, etc.)
- Robust operation in mobile, field and on-site monitoring locations.
July 2007
New Product Annoucement: Enhanced analysis of ‘Air Toxic’ VOCs in canisters following US EPA methods
ASIS 8
Building on the success of Air Server for automated on-line sampling of air / gas streams, the new ASIS 8 module from Markes International connects to the company’s UNITY or ULTRA-UNITY thermal desorption (TD) systems to provide enhanced, cryogen-free and automated analysis of VOCs in canisters, Tedlar™ bags and other whole air/gas containers.
The ASIS 8 comprises thermostatted, 8-channel stream selection hardware complete with inert sample flow path and an internal standard addition facility. This complies with US EPA Method TO-15 for monitoring volatile organic Air Toxics in ambient air using canisters.
Featuring cryogen-free operation combined with unbeatable chromatographic performance, UNITY-ASIS 8 systems allow sequential analysis of up to 8 canisters. The new technology provides best possible detection limits for trace-level vapour-phase organics while significantly reducing laboratory running costs by removing the expense and downtime associated with liquid cryogen
June 2007
New Product Announcement: RFID-tagging technology to revolutionise sorbent tube tracking and identification
TubeTAG™ Sorbent tube informatics
TubeTAG is a patented, powerful and unique tool for tracking thermal desorption tubes used for air monitoring and other applications. The product consists of RFID tag assemblies for attaching onto individual sorbent tubes, a tag reader / writer (TAGSCRIBE) and software.
"We have a lot of sorbent tubes lying around our lab. Before TubeTAG there was no fool-proof way of being able to track these tubes; knowing what sorbent was in each, the history of each tube, and so on...TubeTAG has revolutionised the way we work"
May 2007
Two of the most powerful GC introduction techniques, headspace (HS) and thermal desorption (TD), brought together in a new system
Designed to integrate with either the 70-position G1888 HS system or the 44-position G1290 (7694) HS system from Agilent Technologies, Markes HS-TD system opens up new possibilities to users who require enhanced sensitivity for HS applications and/or require a versatile sample introduction system capable of dealing with any matrix; soil, water or air; solid, liquid or gas.
The HS-TD incorporates Markes UNITY thermal desorber, with its market leading trapping technology and pioneering quantitative sample re-collection facility. UNITY is fully compliant with all standard TD methods. The combined system offers three modes of operation:
- Automated HS-trap – offering enhanced sensitivity and a wider volatility range than conventional headspace and without the foaming and complexity of purge-and-trap
- Method-compliant analytical thermal desorption
- Conventional automated equilibrium headspace
January 2007
Markes Micro-Chamber shows good quantitative and qualitative correlation with conventional emission test methods
Analytical Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2007.
A microscale device for measuring emissions from materials for indoor use
T Schripp, B Nachtwey, J Toelke, T Salthammer, E Uhde, M Wensing, M Bahadir
The paper details work undertaken by the Fraunhofer Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institute, Germany in conjunction with the University of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany evaluating the Markes µ-CTE in comparison to conventional emission test methods.
"Good quantitative and qualitative correlation was obtained for measurements at ambient temperature. Moverover, it was shown that ambient-temperature emissions data collected using the µ-CTE as rapidly as possible ... provided a reliable guide as to how well that material would perform in subsequent 3-day chamber tests of VOC emissions."
January 2007
Markes International announces TD trade in programme
Markes International is offering an unmissable trade in programme for old or discontinued thermal desorption (TD) systems, for a limited period only. TD users trading in their old systems for a new 100-tube automated TD from any authorized distributor of Markes TD technology will qualify for a half price offer on Markes own-manufactured TD accessories and consumables worth up to US$20,000.
11 September 2006
Markes Instrumentation makes Headline News in France
French TV station, TF1, reports that Markes International Ltd. TD instruments are being used by the French authorities in mobile laboratories for depolyment at potential chemical attack incidents.
Un camion pour contrer les risques terroristes
En cas d'attaque chimique ou bactériologique, la gendarmerie dispose désormais d'un laboratoire mobile.
3 August 2006
Thermal Desorption (TD) Application Guides
Markes International - the world’s leading supplier of TD equipment – has published a series of four new booklets showing the benefits of thermal desorption for real-world GC(MS) applications in:
I. Air Monitoring
II. Residual Volatiles & Materials Emissions Testing
III. Defence / Forensic
IV. Food, Flavour, Fragrance
These are available free-of-charge from Markes. Please see press releases for more detailed information.
5 April 2006
Automated re-collection with single thermal desorption (TD) autosampler
– Patent granted to Markes International
Markes International is proud to announce that its application for a UK patent on automated re-collection for thermal desorption using a single TD autosampler has been granted. The new patent has a priority date of 13/11/02 and is reference number GB2395785.
Pioneered by Markes International Limited in 1998, quantitative re-collection of TD samples (SecureTD-Q) has set a new benchmark for analytical thermal desorption technology. SecureTD-Q allows repeat analysis and validation of TD methods / data as referenced in international standard methods such as ASTM D 6196-03.
The new Markes patent covers both automated re-collection onto clean, conditioned tubes and re-collection back onto the original sample tube using the same TD autosampler.
Granting of this patent confirms Markes position as the world’s premier provider of innovative, high-performance concentration and thermal desorption technology. Markes systems are in use in key industrial, regulatory and research laboratories around the globe. Key applications include: air monitoring for environmental health and safety, monitoring trace level chemical warfare agents for defence and counter terrorism, food / flavour / fragrance profiling and materials quality control – including emissions testing.
20 Feb 2006
New headquarters for worlds leading supplier of thermal desorption equipment
As part of its continued expansion Markes International Ltd. is pleased to announce a move to brand new premises on the Gwaun Elai Medi Science Campus in Llantrisant, South Wales.
Formed in 1997, Markes International Ltd. is one of the worlds leading suppliers of thermal desorption equipment and related sampling accessories for monitoring trace toxic and odorous chemicals in air, gas or materials. Serving fast growing markets from environmental health & safety to materials testing and from food / flavour / fragrance to defence/forensic, Markes’ global customer base includes major industry, regulatory agencies, academia, military / civil defence, forensic science and the service laboratory sector.
Over the last 8 years, Markes has won several awards for innovation and export and has seen rapid growth in its business both at home and overseas. Markes now employs over 30 skilled staff in Llantrisant and 85% of its business is exported to all regions of the globe.
Markes new headquarters in Llantrisant houses research and development, laboratory facilities, manufacturing, and sales/marketing offices.
Details are: 
Gwaun Elai Medi Science Campus
Llantrisant
RCT, CF72 8XL
UK
Contact numbers and email addresses all remain the same
Tel: +44 1443 230935
Fax: +44 1443 231531
Email: enquiries@markes.com
21 Sept 2005
Low-cost automation of quantitative re-collection for thermal desorption – ULTRA-50:50
Another innovation from Markes International – the pioneers of quantitative re-collection for repeat analysis (SecureTD-Q).
Markes International – leading manufacturer of analytical thermal desorption instrumentation – announces the introduction of ULTRA-50:50 * - another exciting innovation in SecureTD-Q – quantitative split re-collection for repeat analysis and method / data validation.
Pioneered by Markes in 1998, SecureTD-Q has set a new benchmark in analytical thermal desorption technology. With 100 tube capacity, ULTRA-50:50 allows the same ULTRA autosampler to be loaded with up to 50 sample tubes and up to 50 conditioned sorbent tubes for cost-effective, automated and quantitative re-collection of the “outlet” split flow.
For maximum throughput, AutoSecure systems - featuring a second 100 position ULTRA for automated re-collection of both inlet and outlet split flow for up to 100 tubes - are still available.
Contact your Markes distributor from September for more information on this exciting development.
* Patent Application No GB_2003/005242
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