Continuous Flow Analysis System (CFA)
CFA is also known as Segmented Flow Analysis (SFA), to outline against FIA technique. Existing ISO standards define: `Methods using flow analysis are automatizing wet chemical procedures and are therefore particularly suitable for processing large sample series... One differentiates between flow injection analysis (FIA) and continuous flow analysis (CFA).` Continuous Flow Analysis is the traditional technique. We give favour to CFA as it provides valuable advantages for the practical routine work in typical fields of flow analysis application.
Analysis parameter are installed on Analytic Consoles separately. Each sample or calibrant, taken on the autosampler, is splitted to flow into all the analytic modules for simultaneous deter-mination. The aspiration of the subsequent sample after 60 seconds produce an analysis frequency of 60 samples per hour. A sequence of 90 seconds will result in 40 samples per hour throughput. The aspiration of blank water in between is included in this interval.
The gas bubble segmentation of the continuous flowing reaction stream assures best separation between successive samples, also for time consuming preparation steps on the analyser or after long delay for slow reactions. Consequently CFA provides best safety against any memory effect. The number of samples/h multiplied by the number of simultaneous determinations gives the outstanding analysis capacity of analysis, the CFA analyser can carry out.
Modern laboratories equipped with latest analytic technology, having no CFA in the past, justify their decision to add CFA technique upon the high efficiency of integrated sample preparation procedures. Automatic digestion of organic P or N compounds, automatic distillation for Cyanide, Phenolindex or Fluorid with 40 samples per hour throughput lead to profitability of investment in acceptable time. Savings of space, glassware handling and washing procedures come together with savings from automatic data documentation
Well experienced users of CFA on the other side purchase new analysers to renew their existing instrumentation, after a working life of 15 years or even more.
PC based system control and data handling with up-to-date Windows software is easy to use, provides multilanguage capability, flexible date export and includes 20 years of experience in specific CFA technique data handling, along several operating systems.
Consider, that automatical documentation of original analysis data, integrated QM procedures and computerised calculation and reporting results in additional time savings against manual analysis procedures.
- Segmented flow techniques Macroflow oder Microflow
- Autosampler serial 52/104 positions or XY. Diluter as option
- Multichannel proportioning pump 12/48 positions, segmentation by air or N2
- Method `manifold` with individual modules (dilution, incubation, dialysis, distillation, UV digestion, hydrolysis, extraction...)
- Individual filter colorimeter for each method module/manifold, lightpath 10-50mm
- Flowcell with mechanic debullbing. Bubble gating as option
- Sophisticated electronics for colorimeter and system control
- PC station with printer. Specific CFA analyser software
- Unbeatable analysis capacity by simultaneous determination of all applicated methods
- Unique possibility of quality diagnosis, resulting from the use of the segmented flow technique
- High intensity, high repeatable mixing of reaction solutions in each stages of the automated procedure
- Complicated and individual sample preparation and reaction procedures can be applied on the analytic manifold
- Outstanding small running costs, using standard laboratory reagents
- Countless number of available and approved methods, resulting from worldwide use of CFA over decades