MA-3000

Maximum flexibility for Hg determination in solids, liquids and gases

The MA-3000 is a fully automatic mercury analyser for solid, liquid and gaseous samples. Direct measurement is made possible by a combustion digestion system that can be adapted to the respective sample matrices. The detector system is a patented three-beam double cell CVAAS detector (JP 5596995). The MA-3000 thus has the widest measuring range of all commercially available mercury combustion analysers.

The solid instrument design and the multitude of technical control functions offer a simple and reliable way to perform mercury measurements with little effort. The elimination of sample preparation eliminates a large proportion of possible sources of error and significantly reduces the overall measurement time. The large, integrated autosampler with 100 positions can be loaded or reloaded during operation, so that more samples can be measured in the same time as with other systems, especially in overnight operation.

One of the most important innovations is the sample drying cycle of the MA-3000. All measuring instruments that work with atomic spectroscopy are affected by the presence of moisture. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate the water before the measurement. The MA-3000 has a special drying step which takes place before the actual thermal conversion of the sample.

Unlike all other combustion systems, all drying and combustion gases are bypassed by the detector in the MA-3 series. This technique keeps the detector and gas paths clean and avoids any contamination or carry-over from contaminated combustion gases.

Because of the technology used, the MA-3000 has minimal cross-contamination after high readings. If extreme differences in concentration do occur in a run, automatic intermediate cleaning ensures that subsequent samples with low contents can also be measured safely. The system can perform automatic intermediate cleaning steps until a defined blank value level is reached again.

Maintenance steps, if required, are easy to carry out due to the clear design and good accessibility of the components.

Figure 1: MA-3000 with liquid sampler and thermodesorption unit

Figure 2: MA-3000 – Autosampler with 100 positions (Source: NIC Homepage)

Key features

– Mercury determination without reagents in up to 5 minutes

– Large dynamic measuring range with excellent analytical performance

– Integrated autosampler with 100 positions for ceramic boats (can be reloaded during operation)

– Sample weight up to 1g

– Long-term stable calibrations

– Low operating and consumables costs

– High safety due to automatic control functions

– Easy handling with intuitive software

– Automatic cleaning steps avoid memory effects

– Low space requirement

– Expandable for the measurement of gas samples and digestion as well as water samples (reducing release)

Parameters / Elements

• Mercury

Measuring method

– Weighing of the samples on shuttles

– Automatic sample loading by autosampler with subsequent pre-drying

– Thermal digestion and release of mercury

– Separation of matrix and mercury by intermediate focusing

– Conditioning of sample path and detector cell

– Thermal mobilisation of the collected mercury and detection by AAS

Industries and branches

– petrochemistry

– Environment

– Power

– Pharmaceutical industry

– Food Industry

– Medical

– Heavy Industry

– Research

Use and applications

Determination of mercury in sludge, sediment, soil, food, hair, blood, urine, ore, coal, plastic, catalyst, crude oil, waste water, etc.

Standard methods

The MA-3000 is fully compliant with the following methods, among others: USEPA 7473, ASTM D6722, ASTM D7623, UOP 1009-15, ISO 15411

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Product details

Specifications

– Method: Combustion digestion

– Interfocusing by amalgamation

– Detection: Cold vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy

– Measuring range: 0.002-50000 ng absolute

– Analysis time: 5-10 min

– Gas supply: Oxygen or air depending on application

Software and use

The MA-3000 is controlled by a specific control software that allows intuitive use. Fast commissioning, simple set-up of measurement sequences including calibration, automatic blank level, easily visualised results, standby functions, extensive reporting and numerous diagnostic and service tools characterise this software, which offers everything necessary for simple and robust operation. It is available in an FDA version to meet pharmaceutical requirements.

Figure 3: MA-3000 software

Accessories 

o Autosampler for liquid samples

o Manual extension kit for liquid samples

o MB-1 – Calibration kit for gas analysis

o RH-MA – Heating unit for gas adsorption tubes