NEWS Glass Expansion Newsletter | October 2011 | Issue 26
GE NEWS
APPLICATION SPOTLIGHT
EVALUATION OF A NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE
INERT NEBULIZER
2011 Catalogue
Our new 2011 catalogue has now been
sent to everyone who requested it.
However, please contact us if you would
like an extra copy or if you know someone
else who would like a copy.
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Application Spotlight 1 – 4
• GE News 1
• Nebulizer Selection Guide 5
• Product Design Focus 6
• New Products 7
• Instrument News 7
- From Bruker
- From Spectro
Introduction
Glass Expansion has been developing innovations for the ICP community since the
early 1980’s. Our dedication solely to the field of ICP spectrometry has focused all
of our resources toward improving the quality and productivity of elemental analysis.
In this article, a new concentric nebulizer constructed of PEEK (PolyEtherEtherKetone)
will be evaluated.
Until recently, Glass Expansion offered three inert nebulizers as follows:
• OpalMist: Concentric nebulizer with high purity PFA construction; ideal for ICP-MS
• PolyCon: Concentric nebulizer with high rigidity polyimide construction, ideal for high
precision ICP-OES with relatively “clean” samples
• VeeSpray: Modified Babington type nebulizer with all ceramic construction,
recommended for “dirty” samples (high salts and particulates)
The goal of the DuraMist development project was to offer HF users a high precision
yet rugged nebulizer approaching the performance of the SeaSpray concentric glass
nebulizer. The rigidness of the PEEK material allowed for the DuraMist to be constructed
with high physical reproducibility, which should provide good analytical precision and
nebulizer to nebulizer reproducibility.
The DuraMist, shown in Figure 1, consists of a PEEK body and insert both of which
can withstand up to 5% HF. The nebulizer has a standard 6 mm outside diameter,
which fits the standard cyclonic spray chambers (an adaptor is available for Scott type
spray chambers). The DuraMist is manufactured in four different configurations as
shown in Table 1. The DuraMist is fitted with a UniFit sample connector line that slides
easily over the sample arm of the nebulizer creating an excellent seal and zero dead
volume connection and a quick-connect EzyLok connector for safe, easy, and effective
connection to the Argon supply line.
Part number Argon flow rate (L/min) Natural uptake rate (mL/min)
ARG-07-DM04 0.7 0.4
ARG-07-DM1 0.7 1.0
ARG-1-DM04 1.0 0.4
ARG-1-DM1 1.0 1.0
Table 1: Configurations of DuraMist nebulizer
This report highlights experiments conducted on two different ICP-OES systems to
compare the performance of the DuraMist to the SeaSpray, OpalMist, PolyCon, and a
non-concentric polymer nebulizer, referred to as NCPN throughout the remainder of the
discussion. Characteristics studied included sensitivity, precision, stability, robustness,
and tolerance to high TDS (total dissolved solids).
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