Automated Wet Chemistry Analyzers | Continuous Flow Analyzer (CFA)

Overview

The San⁺⁺ Automated Wet Chemistry Analyzer also known as Continuous Flow Analyzer has been designed as a modular system to meet the needs of laboratories which process a few samples or large volumes of samples. Based on the Continuous Flow Analysis (CFA) technique, up to 16 analytical measurements can be made on a single sample simultaneously. With the addition of rinsing valves and software the San⁺⁺ system can automate; start-up, shut-down, dilutions, reruns, clean-up, and raw data storage.

Skalar, the world leader in wet chemistry technology offers, over 300 proven applications utilizing various combinations of automatic dilutions, additions, mixing, heating, dialysis, extractions, distillation, digestion, phase-separation, hydrolysis, ion-exchange/reduction and more. Skalar has developed a proven systematic approach to providing a quality system starting with complete applications engineered on customer samples to provide the best possible configuration to the customer needs and requirements, training and installation by qualified specialists and complete application and service support.

Continuous Flow Analysis principle of operation (Flash animation)

Samplers

The Skalar range of San⁺⁺ samplers offer for each routine laboratory and application the perfect match saving operators time and errors. With the unique automatic standard preparation and over range dilution facility, high workloads are fully automatically analyzed outside working hours, without any operator supervision.

Skalar Samplers offer the highest degree of automation available today with :

• Real Automatic pre- and post dilution runs.
• Full automatic standard preparation.
• Automatic discrete reagent addition
• Automatic multiple range operation
• Separated rinse pump
• Customized sample containers
• Automatic bar-code reader
• Multiple sample probes
• Extended operation outside working hours with automatic start up and shut down
• Full analyzer control

• 1100/1150 Sampler

  The SA1100 and SA1150 samplers accommodate up to 2 x 50 sample positions. Optionally, 10 dedicated standard positions are available for working standards. Furthermore, they can be equipped with a second needle for dual needle sample pick-up and extended sample positions (up to 100 positions). The samplers are random access and computer controlled, but can be extended with a soft keypad to run in both computer and manual control modes (model SA1150).

• 1050 Sampler

  Computer controlled ROZ sampler, series 1050, for up to 140 samples with separated standard and QC sample positions, separate rinse pump, optional automatic diluter station for automatic pre- and post run dilutions, and automatic standard preparation, with optional dual sample pick up and optional stirrer.

• 1074 Sampler

  Computer controlled XYZ sampler series 1074, for up to 300 samples with separated positions for standards and QC samples with optional automatic diluter station for automatic pre- and post run dilutions and automatic standard preparation, with 1 to 4 needles sample pick up, build in rinsing pump, with optional stirrer and automatic bar code reader and customized sampler container racks also available with larger footprint for 600 samples.

• 1075 Sampler

  The SA1075 Random Access auto sampler carries up to 540 samples, divided over 9 racks of 60 samples each. In addition there are 26 positions available in a separate tray for QC samples, working standards or drift control samples. These positions can hold up to 35 ml each. The SA1075 can be equipped with multiple needles to allow the simultaneous analysis of samples with different matrices or with different sample pretreatment procedures. An auto-dilution station is also available, allowing the automatic dilution of samples before as well as after the analysis (pre and post dilutions).

Chemistry Section

The unique concept of the chemistry section has proven its performance for hundreds of applications, with maximum operator convenience and lowest routine maintenance. The latest developments in Continuous Flow Analysis (CFA) have been integrated into the chemistry modules.
The throughput of the analyzer depends upon application and can vary from 25 to 120 analysis per hour. The throughput as influenced by complex manipulations such as automatic distillation, in-line UV digestion, extraction, etc.

• Robust unique double diameter pump deck for accurate dosing with 32 pump tubes.
• 2 separated pump decks for 2 x 2 channel concept.
• Controlled synchronized 8 channel air injection with separated build-in compressor for increased flow stability and fast start up.
• Easy access to chemistry cartridges with flexible ultra low carry-over connections between dialysers, reactors, coils, flow cells and other components.
• Leak detection
• 3 - cuffs long life pump tubes.
• Manual operated and automatic rinsing valves for easy automatic start up and overnight operation.

The Chemistry section is compact and easy to handle. It houses up to 5 chemistry cartridges with build in robust dosing pump and air injection system, up to 5 easy interchangeable cartridges with build in photometric detectors and 5 separate waste receptacles.

• Heating (Flash animation)
• Dialysis (Flash animation)
• Distillation (Flash animation)
• UV digestion (Flash animation)

Detectors

The Skalar San⁺⁺ range of detectors is the largest available, and comprises dual channel single beam colorimetric detectors, the unique matrix correction detector with automatic background correction for difficult sample matrixes, but also covers a range of detectors for I.R., U,V., Fluorimetry, ISE, Flame Photometry, Refracto meters, Density meters, etc. The Skalar range of detectors cover all detectors required for the hundreds of Skalar field tested SFA applications available today.

Special features of the detectors for the San⁺⁺ Continuous Flow Analyzer (CFA) are:

• Compact design
• Increased speed by bubble gating
• Easy access to robust flow cells
• Increased stability, sensitivity and auto-scaling by digital detectors
• Automatic matrix, and blank correction.
• Wide linear measuring range

Software

The San⁺⁺, "Flow Access" windows software package controls the complete analyser, with auto start-up, function control, and auto-scaling, pre-and post run sample dilutions, result calculation and statistics. 1 to 16 channels are handled simultaneous, with multiple samplers, and chemistries can be grouped for analysis. The package is extremely users friendly and easy to operate, and will integrate easily into a network.

The package has flexible sample tray layout, with sample auto numbering and addition during analysis run. Sample I.D.'s can also be downloaded from LIMS or read by the automatic bar code reader.

Flow Access has preset Q.C. criteria, with real time peak and result information on screen, with zooming and rescaling and real time peak editing. All raw data is stored for evaluation and reruns.

Typical Applications

The Skalar San⁺⁺ Analyzers are operating worldwide for hundreds of different applications. It is for decades the reliable "workhorse" for many routine laboratories, analyzing waters, soils, fertilizer, detergents, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages such as beer, wine, milk, etc. Skalar methods meet standard methodology whenever possible, such as EPA, ISO, AOAC, Standard Methods, EBC, NEN, etc., etc. and are tested in our well equipped application laboratory. Skalar, Analyzers are supplied with detailed method description reagent make up and any information required to run a specific application trouble free for many years.

The amount of available Continuous Flow Analysis applications is nearly unlimited the most popular ones are listed below: