The Varian Archon Purge and Trap AutoSampler is designed to automate the tedious sample handling procedures associated with purge and trap analysis for volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) under current EPA methods. The Archon can be used for waters. The Archon is designed as a stand-alone unit for retrofit to purge and trap instruments. The Archon is a state-of-the art robotic, X-Y-Z axis autosampler. The AutoSampler utilizes a 51 slot sample tray that allows water samples to be run. The Archon has a unique “gripper” arm which moves the sample vial to different positions, identify the vial type, stir the sample, equilibrate to room temperature, and transfer the sample to the water probe position.
If a water sample is to be run, the sample is placed in a 40 mL VOC vial and the vial is placed in the tray. The Archon robotic arm moves the vial to the vial ID station and then to the probe location where it is lifted onto the sample probe, and a programmed volume of water is transferred to the purge vessel. It is during the transfer that one or both of the standards are added to the sample. It will also drain and clean the needle, sparge tube, and transfer lines.The operating modes of the Archon are the Automatic, Manual, and Flush modes. Automatic mode allows for complete unattended operation. Manual mode operation allows for single sample operation of the unit, priority sampling, and running blanks. The Flush mode performs the flushing with hot water and helium for the cleanup of the system.
