OCETA Environmental Technology Profile

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ELAN® 6000 ICP-Mass Spectrometer

PROCESS/PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

The ELAN® 6000 is a compact, self-contained Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) system, that combines detection sensitivity equal or superior to GFAA (graphite furnace atomic absorption) with the rapid multi-element sample throughput of ICP-OES (ICP optical emission spectroscopy). ICP-MS uses a high-temperature argon plasma to generate metal and elemental ions which are introduced into a mass spectrometer for separation and quantitation. The ELAN 6000 can assess a sample, covering the full range of the elements in the periodic table, in less than two minutes. Figure 1 shows the ELAN 6000 ICP-Mass Spectrometer.



Figure 1: The ELAN 6000 in operation

Unique features of the ELAN 6000 include:

PROCESS/PRODUCT APPLICATION:

The ELAN 6000 is applied for the characterization of both inorganic and organic materials in the routine analysis of trace elements in drinking water, groundwater, surface water, wastewater, solid waste, industrial effluent, soil, sediment and atmospheric samples. All 12 primary contaminants, including Hg, currently regulated by the US Safe Drinking Water Act, can be determined by a single method, replacing the previous requirement of three or more instruments to achieve the same analysis.

Table 1 shows the ELAN 6000's instrument detection limits (IDLs) measured with US EPA Method 6020 and the recoveries of selected elements in estuarine sediment. The certified values were recovered within a few percent of the true value and a 15 ppb (ug/L) spike was recovered well within the 75-125% recovery limits.

Table 1. Estuarine Sediment

Element 		ELAN IDL
(ppb)		 Sample Conc.
(mg/kg)		 % Rec. of
Cert. Value 		% Rec.
of Spike
Al 0.04 548 84.2 NA
Sb 0.003 0.004 98.9 103
As 0.06 0.11 112 98.4
Ba 0.01 ND - 98.9
Be 0.02 0.02 - 117
Cd 0.002 0.0004 104 93.6
Cr 0.1 0.78 97.4 97.0
Co 0.002 0.12 116 97.4
Cu 0.005 0.20 99.6 96.0
Pb 0.001 0.31 104 102
Mn 0.004 3.64 104 90.2
Ni 0.007 0.31 104 96.3
Ag 0.03 ND - 94.9
Tl 0.0003 ND - 99.6
Zn 0.015 1.52 109 98.2

Industries that currently use the ELAN ICP-MS technology include:

PROCESS/PRODUCT OPERATION:



Figure 2: Schematic representation of the ELAN 6000

A schematic of the ELAN 6000 is shown in Figure 2. The sample is introduced into the plasma for destruction of the sample matrix and ionization. Ions pass from the torch region, at atmospheric pressure, to the quadrupole mass spectrometer, at vacuum pressures, through the interface region consisting of skimmer and sampling cones. The ion lens focuses the ions into the spectrometer, which separates the ions by mass-to-charge ratio and directs them to the detector where they are measured. The AutoLens™ ion optic system does on-the-fly computer-controlled lens optimization for maximum analyte ion signal with minimum interference.

ELAN NT software controls the hardware and methodology, including quality control checks, can correct for isobaric and molecular interferences, graphically displays data in real time, and provides quantitative analysis protocols for external calibration and standard additions. The ELAN 6000 was designed for unattended nighttime operation, thus increasing the productivity of the routine environmental laboratory. Table 2 lists some specifications for the ELAN 6000.

Table 2. ELAN 6000 Specifications
Sensitivity: >40 M cps/mg/L 115In
Long-Term Stability: <4% RSC over 4 hours
Regulatory Compliance: CSA, FCC, CE,
and other standards
Power: 200-240 V, 50/60 Hz
Size (without computer): 72 cm x 99 cm x 110 cm
Weight: 295 Kg

VENDOR INFORMATION:

The ELAN ICP-MS technology originated in 1983 at the University of Toronto with Dr. D. Douglas and Prof. J.B. French, working under contract to the Sciex Division of MDS Health Group. Sciex continued development and sales until 1986, when a joint venture was formed between Sciex and the Perkin-Elmer Corporation. Sciex develops and manufactures the ICP-MS at the Sciex facility in Toronto. Perkin Elmer provides a worldwide sales and service network. Over 600 ELAN ICP-MS Systems are installed worldwide, with over 40% used for environmental applications. PE-Sciex also offers the tandem quadrupole API-300 MS-MS and the single quadrupole API-100 MS with the LC ion spray interface. Perkin Elmer offers a comprehensive range of analytical instrumentation for the environmental monitoring of organics and inorganics.

While OCETA has reviewed this product/process with the Vendor and conducted limited independent investigation,
OCETA assumes no responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information.

Profile Print Date: 06/96
Catalogue # 07-003-H

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