Launch of the GERSTEL On-Line Conditioning Station (OCS)

The GERSTEL On-Line Conditioning Station (OCS) is a fully automated solution for conditioning and reconditioning sorbent-based sampling devices such as AutoTwister probes, Twisters, TF-SPME devices and thermal desorption (TD) tubes. In addition, the OCS can also be used for conditioning devices applied in Thinfilm-SPME workflows, expanding its applicability for modern sorptive extraction techniques.

Originally developed to eliminate the need for AutoTwister users to occupy a TDU2 for rod reconditioning, the OCS has evolved into a flexible, vendor-independent conditioning platform. It can be operated on-line as part of a TD workflow or off-line as a standalone conditioning and preparation station.

The OCS conditions sampling devices using controlled heating combined with inert gas flow (typically nitrogen). In principle, it follows the same proven approach as SPME fiber conditioners that have been used successfully for more than 25 years – but with a much larger bore and rapid, precisely controlled heating and cooling rates of up to approximately 50 °C per minute.

Before or after analysis, probes or tubes are placed individually into the OCS. The device is heated to a defined conditioning temperature (typically 280 °C for PDMS-only probes) while inert gas flow is applied. After conditioning, the system actively cools to standby temperature. Throughout the entire process, the device is never exposed to ambient air, ensuring clean and reproducible conditioning.

OCS supports standard 3.5” (89 mm OD) TD tube formats and is compatible with TDU2 and TD 3.5+ transport adaptors. Besides TD tubes, Twisters and AutoTwister rods, the system can also be used to condition Thinfilm-SPME devices, making the OCS a versatile platform for multiple sorptive extraction techniques. This makes it suitable not only for GERSTEL systems, but also for TD users working with third-party instruments.

By automating short conditioning steps – typically 60 minutes or less – directly after analysis or in batches, the OCS removes a major bottleneck in TD workflows, reduces manual handling, and increases overall laboratory efficiency.