vario EL cube – CHNS ELEMENTAL ANALYZER

Description

Highlights of the vario EL cube

Exceptional elemental concentration & sample size range

which covers 1 µg elemental concentrations, 40 mg C, and 1.5 g inorganic samples

Reliable, matrix-independent results

even for samples that are traditionally difficult to combust

Outstanding hydrogen and sulfur measurement capabilities

including simultaneous CHNS analysis even for sub-µg sulfur concentrations

High operating comfort

thanks to a high level of automation and low-maintenance design

Features

Exceptional elemental concentration & sample size range

Even elemental concentrations in the µg range produce well-defined peak shapes thanks to our patented gas preconcentration technology as well as our highly sensitive detectors. The vario EL cube features three gas-specific adsorption columns. Each column traps and preconcentrates one gas (i.e., CO₂, SO₂, and H₂O), while N₂ travels directly to the detector. Gases are released from the columns only after the peak of the previous gas returns to baseline. This means that the vario EL cube dynamically adjusts to your specific sample and guarantees complete baseline separation of gases – even at extreme C:N and C:S elemental ratios of 12,000:1. In contrast to other micro elemental analyzers, the vario EL cube has unusually high upper elemental and sample size limits. It can analyze up to 20 mg of an organic substance such as liquid fuels and up to 1.5 g of inorganic samples such as soils – as long as the carbon content does not exceed 40 mg. Additionally, the vario EL cube can be upgraded for oxygen, chlorine, and total inorganic carbon (TIC) analysis.

Reliable results due to blank-free sample introduction and superior combustion

The vario EL cube guarantees a blank-free sample transfer thanks to our patented ball valve sample introduction, which is especially beneficial to trace nitrogen measurements. Furthermore, the jet-injection of oxygen aimed directly at the point of combustion and the high furnace temperatures of up to 1,200 °C ensure a complete conversion of the sample to measuring gas –  a prerequisite for highly precise, matrix-independent elemental analysis.

Outstanding hydrogen and sulfur measurement capabilities

To reliably deliver precise hydrogen and sulfur concentration measurements, the vario EL cube’s tubing is actively heated. This prevents the condensation of traces of water inside the system and thus the misquantification of hydrogen and sulfur. Furthermore, the vario EL cube can be outfitted with an infrared (IR) detector for trace sulfur analysis. In just a single analysis you can simultaneously collect CHN data with the thermal conductivity detector and sub-µg sulfur data with the IR detector.

High operating comfort thanks to a high level of automation and low-maintenance design

The vario EL cube can be equipped with a large autosampler with up to 120 positions that is reloadable at any position and time, enabling unattended 24/7 operation with highest sample throughput. Features like a fully automated leak check, a big ash finger, and a long-term stable calibration reduce maintenance tasks and times. This results in highest possible system uptime. Whenever maintenance is necessary, our user-friendly clamp connections ensure a tool-free maintenance experience, while the slide-out furnace gives easy access to all important parts and guarantees a comfortable working posture.

Future-proof thanks to 10 years warranty

Thanks to the outstanding robustness and longevity of our vario EL cube elemental analyzer, we grant a 10-year warranty on the high-temperature combustion furnace and thermal conductivity detector. With our long-term oriented dedication to technical support, we provide spare parts for a minimum of 10 years. This results in outstanding low total cost of ownership, giving you confidence in return of investment.

Modes

The vario EL cube is optimized for the analysis of:

• CHNS
• CHN
• CNS
• CN
• O*
• Cl*
• TIC*

* optionally available

Analytical specifications

Weighing range

Large weighing range spanning from micro (<1 mg) to macro (1.5 g soil) sample weight and up to 20 mg of organic matter.

Element concentration range 

Largest dynamic range of element concentrations:

C: Up to 40 mg absolute or 0 – 100 %
H: Up to 3 mg absolute or 0 – 100 %
N: Up to 15 mg absolute or 0 – 100 %
S: Up to 6 mg absolute or 0 – 100 %
O*: Up to 6 mg absolute or 0 – 100 %
Cl*: Up to 1.2 mg absolute or 0 – 100 %

Precision 

< 0.1 % absolute (homogeneous substance), depending on sample type, analysis mode, and configuration

Analysis time 

~ 3-4 min per element, self-optimizing according to element content and sample weight. Depending on sample type, analysis mode, and configuration.

Technical specifications

High-temperature combustion unit: 
Complete sample digestion at up to 1,200 °C (or 1,800 °C at the point of combustion when tin foil is used) with a ten-year furnace warranty. A jet injection of oxygen directly to the sample leads to the highest oxygen concentrations at the point of combustion, as well as low gas consumption. 100 % recovery is guaranteed even for samples, that are traditionally hard to combust.

Purge and trap chromatography:
Separation of gaseous components on up to three gas-selective columns. These columns trap the gases until they are heated up. The release of a gas is only initiated, when the prior gas peak has reached baseline. This results in perfect peak separation without overlap, and automatic optimization of the analysis time.

Detector 

• Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD)
• Infrared (IR) Detector* for sulfur and oxygen
• Electrochemical Detector* for chlorine

Sample introduction 

• Integrated 60*, 80, or 120* positions autosampler (for solids and liquids in capsules), reloadable during analysis
• Integrated 2 ml vial, 50 positions liquid autosampler with rinse and waste vial*, reloadable during analysis

Maximum furnace temperature 

1,200 ° C (whereby 1,800 °C is briefly reached at the combustion point when using tin foil)

Instrument control 

Windows® based vario EL cube operating software with LIMS integration and auto sleep and wake-up function for automated and unattended overnight operation. 21 CFR Part 11 functionality available.*

Required gases 

Helium or argon and oxygen

Dimensions 

48 x 55 x 57 cm (W x D x H)

* optionally available

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