Flow injection analyses: Part I. A new concept of fast continuous flow analysis

The concept of a new continuous flow analyser system is described. Based on instant discrete sampling by injection into a carrier stream, the system allows continuous flow analysis to be performed in a fast, much simplified way. As the continuous flowing stream is characterized by a turbulent rather than a laminar flow, the discrete instant sampling creates geometrically well-defined segments of sample solution within the flowing stream. Because of the absence of lag phase, an unprecedented sampling rate for continuous flow analysis of well over 200 samples per hour can be achieved; and even manual injection of the samples allows a very high degree of accuracy and precision to be obtained ( ? ± 1%). Uses of the system in various analytical procedures are described and discussed. A potentiometric sensor (the air-gap electrode used in a flow-through unit) and a spectrophotometric arrangement with a flow-through cell have been used as detector units.