A robust multi-syringe system for process flow analysis. Part 3. Time based injection applied to the spectrophotometric determination of nickel(II) and iron speciation.

A new software-controlled time-based system for sample or reagent introduction in process flow injection analysis was developed. By using a multi-syringe burette coupled with one multi-port selection valve, the time-based injection of precise known volumes was accomplished. Characteristics and performance of the injection system were studied by injecting an indicator in a buffered carrier. Two multi-syringe time-based injection (MS-TBI) systems were implemented: first, the injection of a sample in a multiple-channel manifold where the sample would sequentially merge and react with different reagents, and second, the sequential injection of several solutions (sample and reagents) into a particular flowing stream. The first system was applied to the spectrophotometric determination of nickel(II) in diluted samples from the acidic nickel ore leaching process, by using ammonium citrate as carrier, a saturated solution of iodine as oxidizing agent and alkaline dimethylglyoxime as chromogenic reagent. The sampling frequency attained was 57 h-1. Determinations on process samples compared well at the 95% confidence level with the reference values obtained by ICP-OES. The second time-based injection system was applied to the speciation of iron. Total iron and iron(II) concentrations were separately and sequentially determined using 1,10-phenanthroline in acetic buffer medium as reagent. The developed manifold allowed the optional use of two different carrier solutions, containing or not containing ascorbic acid, for performing the separate determinations. Also, in the sequential procedure, plugs of reducing carrier were alternatively intercalated before the sample injections used for total iron determinations. Sampling frequencies of 68 injections per hour were routinely used. Accuracy was assessed by analyzing synthetic known mixtures of Fe(III) and Fe(II) standard solutions. Recoveries of 98-100.5% with a maximum relative standard deviation of 3.6% were found. Results obtained for various samples of fertilizers agreed well with those attained by the standard batch procedure.     

Determination of Trace Iron(II) in the Presence of Iron(III)

The determination of trace iron(II) is usually interfered by the presence of iron(III) when ortho-phenanthroline colorimetric method is used. In this report a chromogenic reagent which contains ortho-phenanthroline-EDTA mixture has been developed to decrease the interference of ferric ion after adjusting the acidity of sample at 0.1 N by adding the sulfuric acid. The procedure is also simplified by introducing sulfamate buffer solution (pH= 1.5) without adjusting the acidity of sample with sulfuric acid. If iron(III) is not present in the sample, this method is also applicable. The comparative results are exhibited for the present method and the conventional o-phenanthroline method.     

A double-line sequential injection system for the spectrophotometric determination of copper, iron, manganese, and zinc in waters

A double-line sequential injection system was developed for the spectrophotometric determination of several metal ions in waters. The proposed double-line configuration was used to enable adding sample and chromogenic reagents as merging zones. The methodology was applied to the spectrophotometric determination of copper, iron, manganese, and zinc in samples of diverse origins at the range of 0.15-5.00, 0.10-10.0, 0.48-4.00, and 0.11-5.00 mg/L, respectively. Different chromogenic reagents and detection wavelengths were used. The chromogenic reagents for iron and manganese were 1,10-phenanthroline and formaldoxime, respectively. Copper and zinc were both determined using the analytical reagent zincon. Analytical characteristics of the methodology, such as manifold parameters, buffer pH, and reagent concentrations were optimized, and interference of some of the metal ions commonly present in water sample was assessed. Results of the analysis were in agreement with those obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry. Repeatability, expressed as the relative standard deviation for 10 consecutive injections of water samples, was lower than 6%. The determination rate was approximately 36/h.     

Flow injection spectrophotometric determination of copper, iron, manganese, and zinc in animal feeds using a common manifold

A rapid and simple procedure was developed for the determination of copper, iron, manganese, and zinc in animal feeds using an identical flow injection spectrophotometric manifold but different chromogenic reagents and different detection wavelengths. Bis(cyclohexanone)oxalydihydrazone, formaldoxime, 1,10-phenanthroline, and xylenol orange were adopted as chromogenic reagents for Cu, Mn, Fe, and Zn, respectively. Detection conditions such as manifold parameters, buffer pH, reagent concentration, temperature, and acidity of sample solution were optimized. Analytical characteristics of the method and interference of metal ions commonly present in feeds were studied. By changing the reagents and detection wavelengths, which can be done quickly, the proposed low cost flow injection system can determine Cu, Fe, Mn, or Zn in the range of 0.5-10 mg/L with a sampling throughput of 120/h.     

Continuous flow derivatization system coupled to capillary electrophoresis for the determination of amino acids

A derivatization system coupled to capillary electrophoresis for the determination of amino acids using 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate as a labeling agent is described. In this system, amino acids are derivatized on-line in a three-channel flow manifold for sample, reagent and buffer solutions. The reaction takes place in a PTFE coil heated at 80 degrees C. The resulting solution, which contains the amino acid derivatives, is introduced into the electrophoretic system by means of an appropriate interface. Subsequently, amino acid derivatives are separated at 25 kV using a 40 mM sodium tetraborate aqueous solution with 30% (v/v) isopropanol solution as a running buffer. The electropherograms are monitored spectrophotometrically at 230 nm. The method has been applied to the determination of amino acids in feed samples and pharmaceutical preparations. A good concordance of the predicted values with those given by a standard amino acid analyzer is shown.     

A low consumption air-segmented sequential injection vapor generation system for the determination of mercury by atomic absorption spectrometry

A sequential injection system for the determination of mercury by vapor generation atomic absorption spectrometry (VGAAS) using tetrahydoborate reductant was developed, characterized by prevention of sample and reagent mixing in the holding coil using small air segments and initiation of the vapor generation in a flow-through gas-liquid separator. Extremely small volumes of reductant of 15-30 mul (0.2-1.0% NaBH(4)) and sample acidity as low as 0.05 mol l(-1) HCl were sufficient for achieving performance similar to flow injection (FI) VGAAS systems. A sample throughput of 90 h(-1) was achieved with 400 mul samples with a precision of 2.0% RSD at 10 mug l(-1)Hg, and a detection limit of 0.1 mug l(-1) (3sigma). Reagent consumption was reduced by a factor of 25 in comparison to the FI-VGAAS system. Good agreement with the certified value was obtained for the determination of mercury in seawater in a standard reference sample.     

Use of flow injection multisite detection as a novel approach for blank signal correction in a spectrophotometric determination

A flow injection multisite detection system was developed for correction of the sample blank in a colorimetric determination. By using detector relocation, a single spectrophotometer is used for the sequential reading of the sample blank and of the colored product; the sample crosses the flow cell to measure intrinsic absorption, the color reagent is subsequently added, and the flow cell is relocated to provide the reading of the resulting plug. The subsequent detector relocation immediately after peak maximum increases the determination frequency. This strategy was tested in the colorimetric determination of iron in soil samples based on the reaction of Fe (II) with 1,10-phenanthroline after reduction of Fe (III) to Fe (II) by ascorbic acid. The results obtained for 15 soil extracts were in good agreement with those obtained by the reference procedure. Relative standard deviations better than 4% were obtained, with a sampling rate of 30/h.     

Micro sequential injection: fermentation monitoring of ammonia, glycerol, glucose, and free iron using the novel lab-on-valve system

Using an integrated lab-on-valve manifold in a microfluidic sequential injection format (microSI), automated sample processing has been developed for off-line and on-line monitoring of small-scale fermentations. Spectrophotometric assays of ammonia, glucose, glycerol, and free iron were downscaled to use micro-quantities of commercial reagents. By monitoring the reaction rate, the response curves in a stopped-flow mode generate linear calibration curves for ammonia [r2 = 1.000 (0.9% SE)], glycerol [r2 = 0.999 (1.1% SE)], glucose [r2 = 0.999 (1.1% SE)], and free iron [r2 = 0.999 (1.5% SE)]. Since sample dilution and reagent quantities are easily adjusted within the programmable SI format, the lab-on-valve system can accommodate samples over a wide concentration range (ammonia: 3-1200 ppm; glycerol: 20-120 ppm; glucose: 35-1000 ppm; and free iron: 80-400 ppm). This work demonstrates the key advantages of miniaturization through the reduction of sample and reagent use, minimizing waste and providing a compact yet reliable instrument. The lab-on-valve manifold uses a universal hardware configuration for all analyses, only requiring changes in software protocol and choice of reagents. All of these features are of particular importance to small-scale experimental fermentation where multiple analyte analyses are needed in real-time using small sample volumes. It is hoped that this first real-life application of the lab-on-valve manifold will serve not only as a model system to downscale assays in a practical fashion, but will also inspire and promote the use of the integrated microSI manifold approach for a wider range of biotechnological applications.     

Simultaneous differential rate determination of iron(II) and iron(III) by flow-injection analysis

Flow-injection procedures for the simultaneous spectrophotometric determination iron(II) and iron(III), relying on the different kinetic-catalytic behaviour of iron(II) and iron(III) in the redox reaction between leucomalachite green and peroxodisulphate with and without the presence of the activator 1,10-phenanthroline, are described. Exploiting the fact that one of the chemical reactions is very rapid whereas the other one is comparatively slower, two experimental procedures are presented. In the first, two individual zones of sample solution are injected simultaneously into separate carrier streams of reagent in a two-line system. Taking advantage of the different residence times of the samples in the manifold lines, the resulting colour formation is measured by a single optical detector with two separate flow cells aligned within the same optical path. The second approach is based on the use of a single-line flow-injection system, exploiting the formation of a double peak as a result of injecting a large sample zone, sandwiched between reagent zones of appropriate composition. In this manner two time-resolved signals for the kinetically governed processes can be obtained and thus used for quantification of the individual species.     

Sequential determination of iron and titanium by flow-injection analysis

A flow-injection method has been developed for the sequential spectrophotometric determination of iron and titanium using 3,4 dihydroxybenzoic acid as chromogenic reagent. The system involves the sequential measurement of the absorbances of the complexes at 380 and 570 nm. The system is designed using a simultaneous injection of sample and reagent into separate carrier streams. The proposed method is characterized by a precision of about 2%, a sampling rate of about 50 samples per hour, and a reagent consumption of 200 mul (0.50% solution) per sample. It is relatively free of interferences and was used for the sequential determination of titanium and iron in rocks.     

Spectrophotometric determination of iron and boron in soil extracts using a multi-syringe flow injection system

In the last decade, significant advances in flow analysis have been reported, namely the extensive use of computer-controlled devices to enhance the autonomy and performance of analysers. In the present work, computer-controlled multi-syringe flow injection systems are proposed to perform the spectrophotometric determination of available iron and boron in soil extracts. The methodologies were based on the formation of ferroin complex (determination of iron) and azomethine-H reaction (determination of boron). Both determinations were performed in manifolds with similar configurations by changing the reagents present in the different syringes. In the determination of iron, elimination of Schlieren effect in the detection system was achieved through the binary sampling approach, where a three-way valve was actuated to intercalate small slugs of sample and reagent, promoting better mixing conditions for solutions with different values of refractive index. In the determination of boron, in-line sample blank measurement was attained by omitting the introduction of reagent through software control, without manifold reconfiguration. Linear calibration curves were established between 0.50 and 10.0 mg Fe l⁻¹ and between 0.20 and 4.0 mg B l⁻¹. No systematic difference was found when soil extracts were analysed by the proposed methodologies and compared to the respective reference procedures.     

A downsized flow set up based on multicommutation for the sequential photometric determination of iron(II)/iron(III) and nitrite/nitrate in surface water

In this work, a downsized flow set up designed based on multicommutation concept for photometric determination of iron(II)/iron(III) and nitrite/nitrate is surface water is described. The flow system network comprised a set of three-way solenoid valves, reaction coil and a double-channel flow cell, which were nested in order to obtain a compact and small-size instrument. To accomplish the downsizing requirement light source (LED) and radiation detection (phototransistor) were coupled to the flow cell. In order to demonstrated the effectiveness of the system, the photometer methods based on Griess reaction and 1-10-phenantroline for nitrite and iron(II) determination, respectively, were selected. Under computer control the set up provided facilities to handle four reagent solutions employing a single pumping channel, thus permitting also the determination of nitrate and iron(III) after its reduction to nitrite and to iron(II), respectively. The overall system performance was demonstrated working several days running standard solution, no significant variation of base line, linear response range and slop (less than 1%) were observed. The usefulness of the downsized system was ascertained by analyzing a set of surface water. Aiming to access the accuracy sample were also analyzed employing reference procedures and no significant difference at 95% confidence level were observed for the four analytes. Other profitable features such as analytical throughput of 40 determination per hour; relative standard deviation of 1%; linear response range between 50 and 300 μg l⁻¹ for nitrite and nitrate, 0.5-6.0 mg l⁻¹ iron(II) and iron(III); low reagent consumption 75 μg for nitrate/nitrite and 0.6 mg for iron(II)/iron(III) per determination; and 2.4 ml waste generation per determination were also achieved.     

Spectrophotometric determination of iron(III) and total iron by sequential injection analysis technique

A procedure for determination of concentrations of iron(III) and total iron by sequential injection analysis is described. The method is based on the strong blue-colored complexes formed between iron(III) and tiron. The absorbance of the complexes is measured spectrophotometrically at 635 nm. Oxidation of iron(II) and masking of interfering fluoride is simultaneously done by injecting one zone of hydrogen peroxide and one of thorium(IV) between the sample and reagent zones. Concentration of iron(III) and total iron, in the range 0.002–0.026 M, in diluted samples from a pickle bath were determined. The relative standard deviation was 0.4% (n=7). The method was also used in a pilot plant of a zinc process for determination of iron(III) in the range 0.2–3.0 g l⁻¹. The sample throughput is approximately 17 samples per hour, including three repetitive determinations of each sample.     

Determination of uranium using a flow system with reagent injection. Application to the determination of uranium in ore leachates

The determination of uranium by a flow system with reagent injection is based on the reaction of U(IV) with Arsenazo III in 3.6 M HCl; U(IV) is generated by reduction of uranyl ion in a lead reductor minicolumn installed in the sample channel of the manifold. The interference effect caused by several ions is studied. The calibration graph is linear up to 1.0 × 10^?5 M (2.4 mg l^?1) and the detection limit is 2.8 × 10^?8 M (6.6 μg l^?1). The modification of the manifold by including a second valve to by-pass the reducing column allows the measurement of the difference in peak heights, which makes the method specific for uranium.     

Pneumatic flow injection analysis-tandem spectrometer system for iron speciation.

A pneumatic flow injection-tandem spectrometer system, without a delivery pump was used for the speciation of iron. In this system, the suction force of a pneumatic nebulizer of a flame absorption spectrometer was used for solution delivery through the manifold. The Fe(III) and total Fe concentrations were determined using thiocyanate ion in a UV-Vis spectrometer and a FAAS, respectively. The Fe(II) was determined by the difference. The calibration curves were linear up to 18 microg mL(-1) and 25 microg mL(-1) with detection limits of 0.09 microg mL(-1) and 0.07 microg mL(-1) for Fe(III) and Fe(II), respectively. The mid-range precision and accuracy were <2.5% and +/-3% for the two species, respectively, at a sampling rate of 120 h(-1). This system was applied for the determination of Fe(III) and Fe(II) in industrial water, natural water and spiked samples.     

A new strategy for exploiting ion exchange in sequential injection analysis: in-line phytic acid separation/determination in foods as an example.

A novel strategy for exploiting ion exchange in sequential injection systems is proposed. The procedure is based on the selection of a defined volume of a resin suspension, which is introduced and packed in the analytical path, establishing a resin mini-column in the system. The passage of a selected sample volume through the resin mini-column leads to the retention of the analyte, while the sample matrix is discarded. The analyte is eluted during the passage of the eluant/reagent by the packed beads, being the analytical signal monitored (absorbance) in the liquid phase. The beads are then aspirated back to the holding coil and directed to a recovery flask, linked at the selection valve; then the system is ready to begin a new cycle. With the proposed strategy, the main characteristics of the sequential injection system are kept as any new artifact is added to the manifold and system reconfiguration is not required. The feasibility of the approach is demonstrated by the phytic acid determination in food samples. For this specific application, AG1-X8 was selected as ion exchanger, and a solution containing Cl- and Fe(III)-salicylate complex was used as eluant and spectrophotometric reagent.     

A sequential injection system for the spectrophotometric determination of calcium, magnesium and alkalinity in water samples.

A sequential injection methodology for the spectrophotometric determination of calcium, magnesium and alkalinity in water samples is proposed. A single manifold is used for the determination of the three analytes, and the same protocol sequence allows the sequential determination of calcium and magnesium (the sum corresponds to the water hardness). The determination of both metals is based on their reaction with cresolphtalein complexone; mutual interference is minimized by using 8-hydroxyquinoline for the determination of calcium and ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) for the determination of magnesium. Alkalinity determination is based on a reaction with acetic acid, and corresponding color change of Bromcresol Green. Working ranges of 0.5 - 5 mg dm(-3) for Ca, 0.5 - 10 mg dm(-3) for Mg, and 10 - 100 mg HCO3- dm(-3), for alkalinity have been achieved. The results for water samples were comparable to those of the reference methods and to a certified reference water sample. RSDs lower than 5% were obtained, a low reagent consumption and a reduced volume of effluent have been accomplished. The determination rate for calcium and magnesium is 80 h(-1), corresponding to 40 h(-1) per element, while 65 determinations of alkalinity per hour could be carried out.     

Merging zones in flow injection analysis: Part 5. Simultaneous determination of aluminium and iron in plant digests by a zone-sampling approach

A flow injection procedure is proposed for the simultaneous determination of aluminium and iron in plant material. The method is based on a flow configuration involving zone sampling and merging zones. Aluminium is determined spectrophotometrically with eriochrome cyanine R as reagent and iron by atomic absorption spectrometry. The advantages of this method over other procedures already reported are discussed. The effects of reagent composition for the aluminium determination are described in detail. The zone-sampling approach permits an easier pH control in the aluminium determinations so interferences caused by variations in sample acidity are avoided without the need for very concentrated buffers. The merging zones configuration greatly reduces the consumption of reagents. The proposed method permits the analysis of about 120 samples (240 determinations) per hour, with good precision (r.s.d. < 2%) in both the aluminium and iron channels. The results agree with those obtained by inductively-coupled argon plasma spectrometry.     

Reverse flow injection spectrophotometric determination of iron(III) using norfloxacin

A reversed flow injection colorimetric procedure for determining iron(III) at the μg level was proposed. It is based on the reaction between iron(III) with norfloxacin (NRF) in 0.07 mol l⁻¹ ammonium sulfate solution, resulting in an intense yellow complex with a suitable absorption at 435 nm. Optimum conditions for determining iron(III) were investigated by univariate method. The method involved injection of a 150 μl of 0.04% w/v colorimetric reagent solution into a merged streams of sample and/or standard solution containing iron(III) and 0.07 mol l⁻¹ ammonium sulfate in sulfuric acid (pH 3.5) solution which was then passed through a single bead string reactor. Subsequently the absorbance as peak height was monitored at 435 nm. Beer's law obeyed over the range of 0.2–1.4 μg ml⁻¹ iron(III). The method has been applied to the determination of total iron in water samples digested with HNO₃–H₂O₂ (1:9 v/v). Detection limit (3σ) was 0.01 μg ml⁻¹ the sample through of 86 h⁻¹ and the coefficient of variation of 1.77% (n=12) for 1 μg ml⁻¹ Fe(III) were achieved with the recovery of the spiked Fe(III) of 92.6–99.8%.     

Simultaneous determination of iron(III) and vanadium(V) by use of a kinetic-spectrophotometric and rapid mixing flow system

The quantitative spectrophotometric determination of V(V) by its catalytic effect on the oxidation of chromotropic acid [the disodium salt of 4,5-dihydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulphonic acid (CS)] by potassium bromate has been adapted to a flow system employing a rapid sample and reagent introduction manifold, in which valves and carrier streams are omitted without decreasing the precision or increasing the sample consumption relative to flow-injection analysis (FIA). Measurements are made at 420 nm. Coexisting Fe(III) can be determined simultaneously at the same wavelength by its more rapid colour chelate formation with CS. An accurate determination of V(V) and Fe(III) in the mixture was developed with a sample throughput of about 60 hr.