NEWS Glass Expansion Newsletter | February 2016 | Issue 39
Glass Expansion News
APPLICATION SPOTLIGHT
The Elegra Argon Humidifier:
Uninterrupted and Maintenance-Free ICP Operation
It is standard operation to use dry argon as your ICP nebulizer gas in order to generate
an aerosol and transport the sample to the plasma. However, when dealing with samples
containing high amounts of total dissolved solids (TDS) you have an increased likelihood
of salt deposits forming at the tip of the nebulizer and injector; this can result in a
failed analysis due to a drift in signal or an extinguished plasma. In order to handle a
challenging sample matrix, such as high TDS, it is important that you optimize your ICP
sample introduction system. This includes choosing a nebulizer with the ability to handle
high TDS, a baffled cyclonic spray chamber to minimize droplet size, and a large bore
injector to allow for longer run times. For optimum performance you can also humidify the
nebulizer gas before it comes in contact with the sample, decreasing the likelihood of salt
deposits forming at the nebulizer and injector tip. Adding an argon humidifier will reduce
maintenance and the chance of an extinguished plasma due to a blocked nebulizer or
injector.
Glass Expansion designed the new ElegraTM argon humidifier to provide an efficient, but
simple to use humidifier for ICP-OES and ICP-MS applications. In this article we will focus
on the advantages of the Elegra design and the benefits of adding a humidifier for high
TDS applications.
Design
The elegant design of the Elegra results in a very compact accessory (Figure
1). The small footprint of the Elegra makes it easier to fit into each ICP model
without overcrowding the sample compartment. The Elegra utilizes highly
efficient membrane technology to add moisture to the gas as it flows through
the inert metal-free construction. The membrane technology eliminates the
need for the Elegra vessel to be pressurized or heated (no electrical power),
as required by some other humidifier designs. Following Glass Expansion’s
previous design, the CapricornTM, the Elegra is also configured with a
bypass switch so that the operator can turn humidification on and off without
connecting or disconnecting any tubing.
For easy installation on any ICP instrument and with any nebulizer, each
Elegra Kit is packaged with customized gas connectors. In Figure 2 we show
an example of the Elegra installation on an Agilent 5100 ICP-OES with Glass
Expansion’s SeaSprayTM and DuraMistTM nebulizers. The layout of the gas
connections to and from the Elegra are shown in Figure 2a. P/N 70-803-
0911 is used to make the connection from the Agilent 5100 nebulizer gas
port directly to the Elegra gas inlet (Figure 2b). A second gas line is used
to make the connection from the Elegra outlet directly to the nebulizer. This
is P/N 70-803-1278 for the DuraMist nebulizer or P/N 70-803-0911 for the
SeaSpray (Figure 2c). Each Elegra Kit is also supplied with an adapter kit for
non-GE nebulizers. To find the Elegra kit suitable for your ICP please refer to
Table 1 or www.geicp.com/intro/elegra.
PITTCON 2016
A wide selection of Glass Expansion
products will be on display at Pittcon
2016, Georgia World Congress
Center, Atlanta, GA, USA, March
6-10, 2016. The display will include
nebulizers, spray chambers, torches,
RF coils, ICP-MS cones and
accessories. You will also be able
to see a demonstration of the Assist
CM enhanced productivity system.
Glass Expansion specialists will be
on hand to answer your questions
and assist you to choose the optimum
components for your ICP. Please visit
us at Booth # 1457.
In this issue:
• Application Spotlight................1 – 4
• GE News..........................................1
• New Products............................5 – 6
• Instrument News.......................7 – 8
From Agilent Technologies
From Analytik Jena
From Spectro
Figure1. Elegra Argon Humidifier
www.geicp.com 1
/www.geicp.com
/elegra