Automated Atomic Fluorescence Mercury Online Analyser

Measuring principle

Mercury is measured after complete digestion. Ionic mercury in an acidic solution is then reduced by a reducing agent, producing ground-state atomic mercury. Following equilibration, the mercury vapour is swept from the reaction vessel by passing the sample through an efficient gas/liquid separator and purging with high-purity argon gas. The Hg is transferred into an inert gas stream that carries the liberated Hg(0) into the chamber of a cold-vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometer (CVAFS) for detection. The concentration of Hg is determined by atomic fluorescence spectrometry at 253.7 nm. Quality is assured through calibration and assessment of the oxidation, purging, and detection systems. There is no interference from transition metals (Fe²⁺, Iron³⁺, Zinc²⁺, With²⁺, No²⁺, Lead and Chromium³⁺) and hydride-forming elements (Se⁴⁺, Sb³⁺ and As³⁺) is observed.

Product features

Extended mean time between refilling/emptying/replacing operationsThe unattended running time is improved by the presence of a gas-saving device and the storage at low-temperature of the reducing agent. Mean time between maintenance activities is effectively extended by the dual lamp position design, through the light source switching.

Accurate resultsAdopting the recommended international standard method, based on cold vapour atomic fluorescence, results in highly compatible detection with the laboratory method.

Extremely low detection limitThe indirect method using the cold vapour technique allows mercury to be detected very sensitively with minimal background. The superior signal-to-noise ratio of the atomic fluorescence method allows for detection and quantitation limits in the sub μg/L range.

High adaptabilityThe analyser features a built-in automated digestion module, making it highly adaptable to a wide range of water samples with varying water quality.