Introduction to element analyzers currently available on the market from various manufacturers
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History of Thermo Electron SPA in the United States: The latest model of element analyzer produced by Thermo Electron SPA, the Flash EA1112, is an improved and upgraded version of the highly sophisticated EA1110 model developed by Carlo Erba (Italy). It features advanced design improvements and represents the most reliable and accurate element analysis instrument available today. As a pioneer in elemental analyzers, CarloErba began commercializing its elemental analyzers in 1948. In 1968, the combustion furnace with automatic sample feeding and vertical sample addition was introduced worldwide for the first time; the representative model was the EA1102 ； In 1975, the first model to measure CHNO concentrations ranging from trace levels (100 ppm) to 100% was introduced; the model number was EA 1106 ； In 1988, an analyzer capable of simultaneously measuring CHSN was introduced, with the EA1108 as its representative model. Since it entered China in the early 1980s, its various models have gained a wide range of users among domestic universities and research institutions. Since joining Thermo Electron in 1996, the elemental analyzers produced there have become Thermo Electron’s flagship products thanks to their excellent performance. Currently, there are over 2,000 units installed worldwide, and it enjoys an excellent reputation among customers. The Flash EA 1112 automatic elemental analyzer employs a unique \"dynamic flash combustion-chromatographic separation analysis\" technology. Precise concentrations of the five elements C, H, S, N, and O can be obtained with just a very small amount of sample. Its basic analysis process is shown in the figure above. The Flash EA 1112 automatic elemental analyzer utilizes advanced chromatographic analysis technology; the gases resulting from the combustion and decomposition of samples are separated using a specialized filling column with an extremely small inner diameter designed for elemental analysis. This approach completely eliminates the residual effects associated with the use of large amounts of adsorbents, thereby ensuring high reproducibility and accuracy in the analysis results. It is particularly suitable for laboratories with heavy analysis tasks and a large number of samples. Key features: 1. Unique separation analysis technology: It utilizes advanced chromatographic analysis techniques, completely avoiding the high background effects and the risks associated with residues caused by adsorption-desorption devices; the analysis report provides not only the data results but also the chromatographic peak patterns for each component. 2. The instrument features fast and sustained stability, with heating taking only 45 minutes. 3. The decomposition method for the sample is “Flash”, which involves instantaneous dynamic flashing and complete combustion decomposition; with oxygen-assisted combustion, the temperature reaches as high as 1800°C in an instant, ensuring that the sample is completely oxidized and decomposed. 4. The true EFC electronic flow control system, combined with an automatic leak detection function, ensures extremely high control precision and reliability. 5. The reaction tubes are connected using the patented “quick connector” technology, which enables simple installation without the need for special tools. It completely eliminates the risk of stress on the reaction tubes, making operation convenient and safe while significantly extending their lifespan. 6. The instrument has a very high degree of automation: it automatically adjusts the flow rate of the carrier gas, ensuring constant control of this flow rate in real time, **thereby reducing helium consumption ； Automatic zeroing, automatic prompt to replace the reaction tube catalyst ； The host has automatic microcomputer fault diagnosis. Automatic start/stop based on time setting. 7. The instrument can be equipped with a dedicated interface for connection to an isotope mass spectrometer, and it can be fully controlled through the software system of the MAT253 isotope mass spectrometer. Technical parameters: 1. Measurement range: 0.01% (100ppm)–100% 2. Analysis time: 8 minutes for CHN, 10 minutes for CHNS, 5 minutes for O 3. Sample amount: 0.01～100mg (depending on the sample properties) 4. Measurement accuracy: Theoretical value vs. Experimental value 0.01% (100 ppm): 100ppm±10ppm (i.e., 90～110ppm) 0.10%: 0.1%±0.01% (i.e., 0.09%～0.11%) 1.00%: 1.00%±0.02% (i.e., 0.98%～1.02%) 10.00%: 10.00%±0.1% (i.e., 9.90%～10.10%) 50.00%: 50.00%±0.3% (i.e., 49.70%–50.30%) 90.00%: 90.00%±0.3% (i.e., 89.70%～90.30%)
PerkinElmer of the United States was founded in 1937 and is one of the renowned suppliers in the field of chemical analysis instruments. As early as 1965, the company developed and introduced the Model 240 element analyzer, which became a representative of the development in element analysis using the integrated thermal conductivity method at that time. Later, due to the expansion of the company’s research areas and a shift in its focus, it was no longer possible to make any further advancements in the technology related to element analyzers. The 2400 Series Type II CHNS/O Element Analyzer is a new product launched by the company. Its design concept has undergone significant changes, primarily reflected in the advancement of gas mixture separation technologies; now, state-of-the-art chromatographic separation techniques are being used. Design principle: After the sample is burned and decomposed at high temperature in a controlled atmosphere, its combustion product gases are selectively separated (using advanced chromatographic separation techniques), and then directed to the detection system for quantitative analysis. Technical features: a) Built-in microcomputer control for self-contained operation; it is capable of rapidly determining elements such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen in organic compounds using various analysis modes within 4 to 8 minutes. b. By using advanced cutting-edge chromatographic separation techniques, flat signals can be obtained, thereby improving the accuracy of the experimental results. c. Regarding the carrier gas, it is permissible to use inexpensive and readily available argon as a substitute for the expensive helium. Performance parameters: Sample amount: 0–500 mg (depending on the type of sample). Detection range: 0.01% (100 ppm)–100%. Analysis time for CHN: 6 minutes ； CHNS 8 minutes ； O 4 minutes, Accuracy: 0.3%, Precision: 0.2%. Brief introduction to the 2400LS Series II CHNS/O Element Analyzer: The 2400LS Series II CHNS/O Element Analyzer offers an automatic sampling system that brings a new level of performance for the analysis of organic elements. The design of this system allows it to process various liquid samples through direct injection sampling; since no analytical balance is required, it enables rapid analysis of a large number of samples. In addition, it is equipped with a special viscosity compensation mechanism that allows it to adapt to the properties of different liquids, enabling flexible and effective processing of various types of samples. Brief introduction to the 2,2410 Series II N element analyzer: The gas chromatography column equipped in the 2410 Series II N element analyzer ensures complete separation of nitrogen from other gases produced by combustion, such as methane. The unique gas mixing chamber ensures uniform mixing of the gases generated by the sample combustion, thereby eliminating variations in experimental results depending on the sample weight. It allows for the direct determination of the protein content within a substance; it not only saves a significant amount of time and chemical reagents compared to the traditional Kjeldahl method for nitrogen determination, but also provides more accurate results.
German company Elementar: The predecessor of German Elementar was the German company Horiba, which has over 100 years of experience in the research and development of instruments for organic element analysis. From the initial classic mechanical devices to today’s fully automatic instruments, ten series of products have been continuously developed and updated. The company’s latest generation of products is the vario EL III elemental analyzer. The vario EL III is a multi-functional fully automatic analyzer for CHNS and O elements. By utilizing a unique dynamic design and changing different modes, simultaneous determination of multiple elements and the determination of a single element can be carried out respectively. Basic principle: The substance under test (solid, liquid, organic material, or various inorganic substances) is decomposed through high-temperature combustion; the gas mixture resulting from this reaction is effectively separated after removing interfering substances (using special adsorption-desorption devices), and finally each component is detected by a TCD detector. Technical feature a: it expands the weighing range, making the samples more representative. The larger injection port size is more suitable for certain low-density or low-content samples, allowing for easy injection even when the volume is up to 1 cm3. b. Good high-temperature decomposition according to the Duma method, and the complete combustion and decomposition of all types of analysis samples depend on the specially designed oxygen introduction system of this instrument. c. A special separation design is employed: an adsorption-desorption unit. This effective separation technique is used in the Vario EL III element analyzer, and it has been recognized by a wide range of users and scholars. The only drawback is that the tailing of the water peak during desorption of the water adsorption column has not been adequately improved or resolved. d. The Vario EL III elemental analyzer can be used in combination with mass spectrometry or emission spectroscopy, thereby **expanding its range of applications. Performance specifications: Sample quantity: 0.02–800 mg (depending on the substance being analyzed). Detection range: C: 0.0004–30 mg abs. (or 100%), H: 0.0002–3 mg abs. (or 100%), N: 0.0001–10 mg abs. (or 100%), S: 0.0005–6 mg abs. (or 100%). Analysis time: Varies depending on the element content and weight; simultaneous analysis of CHN: 6–9 minutes; simultaneous analysis of CHNS: 10–12 minutes. Standard deviation: ≤0.1% absolute error (for simultaneous CHN analysis, with samples of 4–5 mg). Decomposition temperature: 950°C–1200°C (up to 1800°C when using tin containers for combustion). The German company Elementar has developed various vario series models based on its existing instruments, to meet the needs of different applications: vario MAX: Used for analyzing samples with a wide range of masses, from mg to several grams ； vario MACRO: Used for analyzing samples with a weighing range of 200 mg to 1.5 g ； vario CH+N: Used for coal analysis ； vario ISOTOPE: Used in conjunction with mass spectrometry ； vario MICRO: Used for analyzing samples with a mass in the mg range; it can analyze drugs in amounts of less than 1 mg with the same level of precision as when analyzing 800 mg of soil sample ； vario TRACE S: Used for sulfur analysis (up to
Leyman Corporation in the United States has introduced the EA3000 CHNS/O fully automatic elemental analyzer, whose design concept is based on that of the elemental analyzer and gas chromatography factories in Milan, Italy. The analysis principle is basically the same as that of the Flash EA 1112 elemental analyzer produced by Thermo Electron SPA in the United States. Technical features of EA3000: The instrument reaches a stable state in a very short time; heating takes only 30 minutes ； Compact design for minimal instrument size ； The gas circuit system is simple, and the instrument operates reliably ； With quick-connect technology, mode switching is very convenient for analysis ； A headspace sampler patented to meet the requirements of continuous automated sampling in liquid and gas analysis; it does not require the use of a balance for weighing, offers high precision, and excellent reproducibility ； It can be followed by a isotope mass spectrometer. Performance parameters: Sample amount: 1–500 mg. Detection range: CNSO: 100 ppm–100% ； H: 10ppm–100% Sample types: fluorides, organometallic compounds, chiral substances (patented), organic compounds, inorganic compounds, and high-temperature materials. Column efficiency: Complete separation of the N2–CO2 peaks, with return to baseline. Chromatography reproducibility: Novel catalyst, high speed, low dead volume. Analysis time: CHNS ≤ 5 minutes, O ≤ 3 minutes. Measurement accuracy: 0.05–0.15%
The U.S.-based company EAI was originally a subsidiary of Leeman Labs, before becoming an independent company named EAI (EXETER ANALYTICAL, INC.). It is a specialized manufacturer of elemental analyzers, with many years of production and practical experience. The CE440 CHN/O/S element analyzer introduced by this company is a microanalysis system that utilizes static combustion technology; its unique horizontal combustion furnace design allows for the easy removal of sample residues between analyses ； The stable heat conductivity detector provides excellent linear response as well as very high precision and accuracy. The combination of a static measurement system with a horizontal combustion furnace confers absolute advantages on it, enabling broader applications. Analysis principle: After the sample is weighed and sealed using fusible tin or aluminum, it is placed in a high-temperature combustion furnace where it burns in static pure oxygen. A burst of dynamic oxygen is introduced during the final stage of combustion to ensure complete burning of all organic and inorganic substances; if tin capsules are used, the exothermic reaction that occurs at the start of combustion raises the combustion temperature to 1800°C. The products resulting from the combustion of the sample are introduced into a specific solvent, where CO2, H2O, and nitrogen oxides are formed; at the same time, the solvent removes certain interfering substances such as halogen elements, S, and P. The generated gas reacts with copper to remove excess oxygen and reduce nitrogen oxides to elemental N, after which it enters a mixing chamber where uniform mixing takes place at normal temperature and high pressure. The uniformly mixed gas passes through a set of high-precision thermal conductivity detectors, with each detector containing a pair of thermal conductivity cells. There is a water trap between every two thermal conductivity cells; the signals between these cells are proportional to the water concentration, which in turn is a function of the hydrogen content in the original sample. Between the next two thermal conductivity cells is a CO2 catcher, which is used to measure C, while N is finally measured using He as a reference. The entire analysis process and principles are generally similar to those of the element analyzers previously released by the American company Perkin-Elmer (with the exception of the PE2400Ⅱ element analyzer); all of them are based on the design concept of the Simon analyzer. Performance specifications: Accuracy: CHN/O/S ≤ ±0.15% (absolute value). Sample quantity: 0–500 mg. Detection range: 0.01% (100 ppm)–100%. Analysis time: CHN/O/S ≤ 5 minutes. Precision: CHN/O/S ≤ ±0.1%. Detector: Thermal conductivity detector. Combustion temperature: 950°C–1800°C. Sampling system: Automatic sampling