Element Analyzers
In the field of combustion elemental analysis we offer versatile solutions regardless of the complexity of your sample matrix or your throughput needs. Our combustion elemental analysis devices of robust methods and reliable analysis results for parameters such as organic halogens (AOX/TOX, EOX, POX), and carbon, sulfur, nitrogen and chlorine in solid, liquid and gaseous samples.
Combustion Elemental Analysis
The living world around us is made primarily of the building blocks carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Understanding the composition of carbon-rich compounds and mixtures has contributed greatly to human progress across all aspects of our lives. Organic chemistry has enabled tremendous advances in health, nutrition, clothing and consumer goods.
Knowing the composition of materials – made possible by the field of elemental analysis – continues to play a key role. Science and industry need efficient methods of elemental analysis whether in production, recycling, disposal or research into new materials. Increased challenges and the steadily growing demand for this type of analysis are driving a higher sample throughput and tightening the demands on measurement accuracy
and sensitivity. Future-proof elemental analyzers meet these challenges with high flexibility in terms of sample type and matrix properties together with a level of automation that can be individually customized.
Key Analytical Methods
In elemental analysis, non-metallic elements can be measured with a variety of methods. It’s important to distinguish between organic elemental analysis, the analysis of carbon and sum parameters, and the analysis of inorganic elements. The combustion method is considered to be the standard for elemental analysis.
This type of elemental analyzer combusts the prepared sample at high temperatures with or without the aid of catalysts before using a carrier gas to move the combustion gases through the analyzer. The combustion gases are then separated to measure the content of each element, which can be performed by the most appropriate detector for the element:
- UV fluorescence detector (UVFD): Sulfur
- Nondispersive infrared sensor (NDIR): Carbon
- Chemiluminescence detector (CLD): Nitrogen
- Coulometric titration: Halogens, sulfur
The analyzer produces a quantitative measurement of the elements using the signals from one or more detectors. Wet chemical UV oxidation is another measurement method besides high-temperature combustion.
Increased challenges and the steadily growing demand for this type of analysis are driving a higher sample throughput and tightening the demands on measurement accuracy and sensitivity. Future-proof elemental analyzers meet these challenges with high flexibility in terms of sample type and matrix properties together with a level of automation that can be individually customized.
Combustion Elemental Analysis and Measuring Environmental Sum Parameters
Analysis at the level of the individual elements C, N, S, and X, for example, using a multi EA 5100 or multi EA 4000 is integrated in a variety of applications. One example is quality control in the chemical industry. Synthetic rubbers are the precursors for many products with elastic properties such as tires and gaskets with vulcanization being the key process step during production. Sulfur is used for this
purpose in common materials such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). The rubber molecules link together via sulfur bridges under the influence of heat and transition from a plastic to an elastic state. This makes the measurement of sulfur content an important tool in process control. As a raw material, the monomers must have very low sulfur content to avoid uncontrolled cross-linking, and in the finished product, the sulfur content provides a measure of the quality of the cross-linking.
Sum parameters group similar characteristics across different substances. For example, it is possible to categorize on the basis of a common element. The result of the elemental analysis with respect to this sum parameter allows for statements about the quantitative proportion of this element in the sample. Based on this result, and depending on the application, it is possible to make statements about important factors:
- Quality
- Purity
- Safety & compliance
One example in fuel production is the determination of total sulfur (TS) in fuels. This quality control process is a daily routine in refineries, where the sulfur content of products is continuously monitored. Timely analysis ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, prevents equipment corrosion and improves product quality.
Companies in this industry often choose compEAct series analyzers, which offer:
- Reliable sulfur determination over a wide concentration range
- Fast measurements
- Suitability for continuous operation
A UV fluorescence detector (UVFD) is used for this purpose, which provides accurate and reliable results.
