Fire hazard. The user is responsible to make sure that sufficient precautions are taken when the
equipment is used with methods that use flammable liquids. Make sure to obey correct user
precautions and safety protocols. This includes, but is not limited to, spill and leak controls, proper
ventilation, no unattended use, and that the instrument is never left unattended while power is applied.
®
The QuikChem
System automatically does wet chemical determinations with the principle of Flow
Injection Analysis. The pump pulls the sample from the sampler and to the injection valve. At the
same time, reagents are continuously pumped through the system. The sample is loaded in the
sample loop of one or more injection valves. The injection valve then connects the sample loop in
line with the carrier stream. This moves the sample out of the sample loop and on the manifold.
The sample and reagents then come together in the manifold (reaction module) where the sample
can be diluted, concentrated, dialyzed, extracted, incubated and derivatized. Mixing occurs in the
narrow bore tubing under laminar flow conditions. For each method, the operating parameters are
optimized to give high sample throughput, high precision and high accuracy. The FIA peaks are
transient and show the non-steady state conditions normally used. In FIA, there is usually no
equilibrium.
Manifold diagram and symbols
Figure 1
shows an example of a manifold diagram for the analyzer. The manifold diagram can show
a back pressure loop. Refer to the maintenance and troubleshooting manual for more information.
Figure 1 Manifold diagram
1 Sample (green)
2 Carrier solution
3 Pump flow
4 Probe wash
5 Reagent
6 Reagent
Mixing coil symbol
The number next to the mixing coil symbol shows the length of the coil support. The length of the coil
support is measured from hole to hole. Mixing coils typically have a 0.8 mm ID Teflon tubing that
winds around a coil support. The length of Teflon tubing to wind on the coil support is given in each
QuikChem method. Refer to
W A R N I N G
Figure
2.
7 Reagent connection to manifold
8 Probe rinse
9 Flow cell
10 To waste
11 To port 6 of the next valve or waste
12 Pump
English 5