Dynamic Headspace

The DHS option extracts and concentrates VOCs from liquid or solid samples placed in a wide range of sample vessels and is becoming the technique of choice for a wide range of analyses.

What is Dynamic Headspace?

Main Features and Advantages

  • The GERSTEL Dynamic Headspace option provides lower detection limits than static headspace, SPME, and other widely used techniques
  • Becoming the sampling technique of choice due to little or no analyte discrimination during the sampling process
  • High productivity through high throughput design and complete automation from sample preparation to GC-MS analysis
  • Highest flexibility: User-defined extraction time, flow, temperature, and adsorbent
  • The Dynamic Headspace technology provides multiple water management options to ensure the best chromatography and MS stability
  • Allows user-selected packed TDU/TD 3.5+ tubes to be used for analyte trapping/concentration
  • Excellent reproducibility through precise temperature and flow control
  • Extremely low detection limits

The DHS option efficiently extracts and concentrates VOCs from liquid or solid samples placed in standard 10 mL or 20 mL headspace vials (DHS) or in larger sample containers (250 mL, 500 mL, or 1 L) using the DHS Large extension. The sample is thermostated and agitated while the headspace is purged with a controlled inert gas flow, providing controlled and efficient extraction conditions.

Sample temperatures can be selected from 10 °C to 200 °C. Lowering the temperature provides a means of reducing the amount of water vapor released and ultimately re-trapped. The DHS option provides an independent rack of adsorbent tubes used for analyte trapping/concentration. Unlike all other purge-and-trap or dynamic headspace-type systems, the GERSTEL DHS can automatically select which trap to use for each sample if desired. The temperature of the adsorbent tube during the DHS process can be varied from 20 °C to 70 °C for optimal trapping of the analytes of interest.


Depending on which DHS option is installed, TDU or TD 3.5+ tubes can be used. Following analyte trapping/concentration, the tube is automatically transferred to the TDU/TD 3.5+ for thermal desorption and analyte transfer to the GC. Tubes are fitted with individual adapters, enabling automated movement and leak-free sealing during the dynamic headspace, thermal desorption steps, and storage in the autosampler tray.

TDU or TD 3.5+ tubes can be used depending on which DHS option is installed. Following analyte trapping/concentration, the tube is automatically transferred to the TDU/TD 3.5+ for thermal desorption and analyte transfer to the GC. Tubes are fitted with individual adapters enabling both automated movement and leak-free sealing during the dynamic headspace and thermal desorption steps and during storage in the autosampler tray.

The DHS option is completely controlled by GERSTEL MAESTRO software which provides simple method and sequence set-up and parallel processing for over 100 samples. can be run in one sequence using different method parameters .