Environmental Laboratory 27


the sample into the pre-heated injection module. This module is directly connected to the Combustion Furnace and under an inert carrier gas, the sample material will evaporate. After evaporation, the gasses are guided to the furnace for complete combustion.


Combustion - The Combustion Unit has a dual-zone furnace that completely oxidizes every sample by pyrohydrolytic combustion in an oxygen-rich environment at a high temperature.


Standard AOX by MCD analysis focuses on chlorine, bromine, and iodine. However, the analysis of AOF or EOF by C-IC has a wider focus, including fl uorine.


C-IC Analytical Instrumentation setup: Xprep C-IC Table 1: Overview of typical injection parameters for EOF analysis:


Combustion Conditions Injection Volume Injection Loops


Injection Temperature Furnace Temperature Argon Flow Oxygen Flow Collision Flow Pyrolysis Tube


Absorption Solution Blank levels:


The blank levels of EOF analysis are much lower than those of activated carbon (AOF) analysis. This is because EOF analysis uses a more selective method for the removal of interfering compounds.


Automation:


Several SPE setups can be automated, which can save time and improve the effi ciency of sample preparation. This is especially important for large sample batches.


Sample introduction:


Liquid sample introduction is always preferred over solid sample introduction in a combustion analyzer. This is because liquid samples are easier to handle and larger volumes can be introduced.


Introduction – For the introduction of the sample (prepared using SPE), the Liquids Autosampler is utilized. Equipped with a large volume syringe of 250 µl it is capable of continuously introducing


Collection – Following combustion, an absorber solution is automatically introduced into the output gas stream to ensure the thorough absorption of analytes in the Fraction Collection Unit. During this procedure, the conversion of H-X and X2


to F-, Cl-, and


Br- takes place. These negatively charged ions undergo separation within the IC column.


250 3


500


1000 100 300 100


Ceramic Ultra Pure Water Multi-purpose:


The prepared sample can directly be used for multiple analyses, for example, EOF and LC-MS/MS. So when the sample tests positive during the EOF analyses, the same sample can directly be transferred to an LC-MS/MS for analyses of the speciated PFAS components.


µl


°C °C


mL/min mL/min mL/min


IC-Injection – After completing the sample preparation, the absorbent containing the analytes is transferred from the Fraction Collection unit to an Ion Chromatograph automatically. The front of the Fraction Collection Unit features an integrated six-way valve and a 500 µL sample loop as the default setup. The internal syringe pump is responsible for loading and rinsing the Ion Chromatograph sample loop.


Discussion


The combustion ion chromatography (C-IC) market in the PFAS sector is a growing market with an expected growth of 8.5% year over year, fuelled by the rising need for precise and sensitive methods to measure PFAS. C-IC, a relatively recent technique for screening PFAS, offers advantages over other methods in terms of cost and analysis time. Utilizing sample pre-treatment methods like SPE achieves high sensitivity and can detect PFAS at low concentrations (PPT levels). Moreover, C-IC is notably swift, enabling quicker sample analysis compared to alternative methods, which is advantageous for high-volume laboratories. The surge in C-IC’s market stems from stringent regulations demanding PFAS measurements due to their harmful effects. C-IC remains the sole technique capable of meeting these exacting criteria, thus driving its future demand. Growth factors encompass accurate PFAS measurement demand, regulatory mandates, technological C-IC advancements, and increased awareness of PFAS dangers.


Author Contact Details Robbert van Wessel • TE Instruments • Voltaweg 22, 2627 BC Delft, The Netherlands • Tel: +31 (0) 15 879 55 59 • Email: sales@teinstruments.com • Web: www.teinstruments.com


New book provides invaluable guidance for beginners


and experienced analytical chemists of ICP-MS and other AS techniques A new book entitled “Practical Guide to ICP-MS and Other AS Techniques: A Tutorial for Beginners”, by Robert Thomas has just been published by CRC Press/Routledge/Taylor & Francis. Robert Thomas is globally renowned as one of the pioneering practitioners of ICP-MS, and his latest book presents ICP-MS in a refreshingly novel way, providing trace element analysis users an invaluable insight into why the technique was originally developed and the manner in which the application landscape has defi ned its use today, 4 decades after it was fi rst commercialised in 1983.


This latest edition includes updated chapters on the fundamental principles and applications of ICP-MS, as well as chapters on complimentary AS techniques such as AA, AF, ICP-OES, MIP-AES, XRF, XRD, LIBS, LALI-TOFMS. Other important topics include ways to minimise errors and contamination with plasma spectrochemical techniques, a comparison of collision and reaction cells including triple/multi-quad systems, the latest sample digestion procedures and alternative sample introduction accessories.


The book provides extremely helpful tips and advice not only for novices but also for experienced analytical scientists wanting to learn more about the latest ICP-MS developments, and where the technique might be heading in the future. Moreover, it passes on much needed guidance on how best to evaluate commercial AS instrumentation and choosing the optimal technique, based on your laboratory’s own application demands.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/Keee For More Info, email:


email: For More Info, email: 61167pr@reply-direct.com WWW.ENVIROTECH-ONLINE.COM


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60