In research and laboratory settings, sample concentration is a critical step in preparing samples for analysis, particularly when working with small volumes of high-value or sensitive substances. A sample concentrator is a specialized device designed to efficiently remove solvents or water from a sample, concentrating it to a desired volume without compromising its integrity. Whether you're working with biological samples, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals, a reliable sample concentrator ensures accurate results and minimizes sample loss. Whether you're new to sample concentration or looking to optimize your current processes, this guide will serve as a valuable resource for maximizing efficiency and precision in your laboratory workflow.
How the Sample concentrator works
Sampling and purging: A syringe pump is used to take the sample, the sample solution is placed in a container and purged using nitrogen as the purge gas. The purge gas bubbles up in the sample solution, causing the volatile components of the sample to escape with the gas.
Trapping and Concentration: The volatile components are trapped and concentrated by the adsorbent as the purge gas passes through the adsorbent-equipped trapping device. This step effectively increases the concentration of the components to be measured and facilitates subsequent analysis.
Desorption and analysis: After a certain period of purging, the purge gas is shut off, the six-way valve is switched, and the trap tube is connected to the carrier gas circuit of the gas chromatograph (GC). By rapidly heating the trap tube, the trapped sample components are desorbed and brought into the GC by the carrier gas for analysis.
Applications of Sample concentrator
The sample concentrator is able to sample and analyze pollutants quickly and accurately in different media such as atmosphere, water and soil.
The following will discuss in detail the specific application of Sample concentrator in various fields:
1. Environmental monitoring
Water quality analysis:
Solid-liquid integrated blowing traps can be used for drinking water, wastewater, surface water and other samples of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detection.
Soil and sediment analysis:
The instrument is also suitable for the analysis of volatile organic compounds in soil and sediment.
Atmospheric monitoring:
The sample concentrator can also be applied to the monitoring of aerosols and VOCs in the atmosphere. By trapping pollutants in the atmosphere, its composition and concentration can be analyzed to assess the quality of the atmospheric environment.
2. Food Safety
Food Ingredient Analysis:
Sample concentrator can be used for the analysis of volatile odor components in food. For example, it can be used to detect key odor components in foods such as wine, coffee, spices, etc. to help food manufacturers control product quality.
3. Industrial Safety
Emergency Response to Hazardous Material Spills:
In the field of industrial safety, the sample concentrator can be used for on-site sampling and analysis of hazardous material spills. By quickly trapping and analyzing leaked hazardous substances, it can provide immediate data support for accident investigation and emergency response.
Industrial production emission monitoring:
The instrument can also be used to monitor the emission of substances in the industrial production process to ensure that the production process meets the requirements of environmental protection and reduces the pollution of the environment.
Common Failures
Common failures of the Sample concentrator include power problems, abnormal temperature indications, sealing problems, etc. The Sample concentrator is designed for use in a variety of applications. Troubleshooting methods include checking and plugging in the power supply, replacing the fuse, replacing the platinum resistor, or disconnecting the short circuit.
1. Power problems: When the power switch is turned on, if all the displays do not light up, the power plug may not be plugged in properly or the fuse may have blown.
2. Sealing problem: Air leakage from the connector may lead to sample loss or affect the accuracy of analysis results.
3. Purging and trapping efficiency problems: The choice of purge gas flow rate and time has a significant effect on recovery and sensitivity.
4. Cross-contamination: Inadequate concentration or desorption of the sample at the cold point of the trap tube may lead to cross-contamination.
5. Sample foaming: Samples containing surfactants or detergents are prone to foaming, which affects the analytical results.
Sample concentrator calibration method
1. Prepare the sample: Put the solid or liquid sample to be measured into the sample tray, and be careful not to exceed the maximum capacity of the sample tray. For solid samples, they need to be ground or crushed first to facilitate gasification.
2. Setting parameters: According to the nature of the sample and analysis requirements, set the appropriate parameters such as blowing temperature, blowing time and trapping temperature. The setting of these parameters will affect the accuracy and repeatability of the analysis results.
3. Start analysis: After confirming that the parameters are set correctly, press the start button and the instrument starts to run. The heater starts to heat and gasify the organic matter in the sample; then, the inert gas starts to blow, blowing the gasified organic matter out of the sample plate; finally, the trapping system starts to work, enriching and analyzing the organic matter blown out.
4. Blowing trapping process: generally divided into three steps: blowing, adsorption and desorption. In the blowing stage, inert gas is used to continuously bubble the solution to blow the volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the solution. The organic matter in the headspace is pushed by inert gas into the trap and enriched on the adsorbent; in the desorption stage, the trap tube is rapidly heated to a predetermined high temperature, and the organic matter adsorbed on the surface is desorbed and backblown into the column with the carrier gas, while gas chromatography (GC) starts chromatographic analysis.
5. Calibration and Verification: A standard sample of known concentration is used for calibration to ensure that the instrument response is correct. The accuracy of the calibration results is then verified by analysis of actual samples.
6. Record and Maintenance: Calibration data and analysis results are recorded, and the instrument is regularly maintained and inspected to ensure its continued stable operation.
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