PAL3 Series 2 Autosampler

Importance of the topic

The automation of sample introduction in gas chromatography workflows is critical for high throughput laboratories and quality‐controlled environments. Reliable autosamplers reduce manual handling error, improve repeatability and carryover performance, and accommodate diverse sample formats under precise temperature control.

Objectives and overview

This data sheet presents the specifications and capabilities of the PAL3 Series 2 autosampler designed for gas chromatography applications. It aims to detail the mechanical dimensions, environmental requirements, sample capacity, compatible accessory modules, and analytical performance metrics for liquid, headspace, and LCMS‐P injection methods.

Methodology and used instrumentation

The PAL3 Series 2 autosampler features three X‐axis travel lengths (85, 120, 160 cm) to support up to nine tray holders. It operates between 5 °C and 40 °C and stores safely from –30 °C to +65 °C at altitudes up to 3,000 m. Core components and accessories include:

• Agitator and vortex mixer for sample mixing at selectable speeds up to 2,000 rpm.
• Barcode reader compatible with common linear symbologies for sample identification.
• Fast wash, large wash, solvent and dilutor modules to minimize carryover.
• Peltier stacks for temperature control (4 to 40 °C) of microtiter plates and vial racks.
• Headspace and ITEX dynamic headspace modules for volatile analysis.
• SPME and micro‐SPE modules for on‐fiber extractions.
• RTC/RSI modules for refrigerated or ambient sample handling.
• LCMS-P tool with integrated dual diaphragm pumps, sample loops, and tubing for seamless coupling to LC–MS systems.

Main results and discussion

Key analytical performance measurements demonstrate:

• Liquid GC injections of n‐alkanes C14–C16 exhibit area RSD ≤ 0.6% and carryover ≤ 40 ppm in the first blank, with no detectable residuals in a second blank.
• Fast injection modes achieve high sample throughput with programmable pre‐ and post‐inject delays, split ratios, and solvent washes.
• Headspace injections (2,500 µL) produce RSD < 1% for iso‐octane with carryover below 1,000 ppm in blank 1 and 500 ppm in blank 2.
• LCMS-P full‐loop injections (20 µL) deliver RSD ≤ 0.1%, while partial‐loop injections achieve RSD ≤ 0.5% for standard caffeine solutions.

Benefits and practical applications

The PAL3 Series 2 autosampler offers laboratories:

• Scalable sample capacity—from single vials to 384-well plates with up to six Peltier stacks for temperature control.
• Flexible module interchangeability to support liquid, headspace, SPME, and LC–MS sample prep in a single platform.
• Enhanced reproducibility and low carryover through automated wash protocols and solvent management.
• Improved workflow efficiency and data quality for routine GC, headspace GC, and LC–MS analyses in pharmaceutical, environmental, food‐safety, and petrochemical laboratories.

Future trends and opportunities

Emerging developments may include:

• Integration with laboratory information management systems and cloud‐based remote control for real‐time monitoring and predictive maintenance.
• Expanded automation modules for novel sample prep techniques such as on‐line derivatization or microfluidic handling.
• Enhanced connectivity to artificial intelligence systems for automated method optimization and failure detection.
• Miniaturized autosampler footprints for benchtop or field‐portable GC and LC–MS applications.

Conclusion

The PAL3 Series 2 autosampler provides a versatile, high‐precision solution for automated GC and LC–MS sample introduction. Its modular design, robust temperature control, and proven analytical performance enable laboratories to increase throughput, ensure reproducible results, and reduce carryover risk across diverse analytical applications.