Mercury LabAnalyzer 254

Rapid mercury determination in the laboratory

• Firmly adjusted optical system not requiring any adjustment
• Short analysis times
• Low reagent consumption
• Automatic zero adjustment
• For analyses according to DIN 38406-12 / EPA 7470A / EPA 7471A)
• Measuring range 0.01 ppb ... 10 ppb (10 ng/l to 10 µg/l)
• Hg trap: Mercury vapors cannot escape into the lab
• Upgradable to VM-3000 Mercury Vapor Monitor

Fields of application

The LabAnalyzer 254 is used for quantitative determination of mercury in aqueous samples and sample digests.

• Water samples: drinking water, waste water, ground water, surface water, sea water
• Soil and sludge samples
• Geological sample material
• Waste samples: glass, construction rumble, contaminated liquids, wood
• Incineration plant monitoring: smoke gas scrubber water, smoke gas analysis 
  (e.g. to VDI 3868-2 VE)
• Monitoring of foodstuffs
• Clinical samples: urine, saliva
• Chemical industry: environmental protection and quality control
• Petrochemical industry
• Scientific research

An example for an application of the LabAnalyzers 254: Munich, Germany

Measuring principle

First the mercury contained in the sample is stripped with an air stream and sucked into an optical cell made of fused silica. There the quantitative determination of mercury is obtained by measuring UV absorption at a wavelength of 254 nm. This method is commonly known as the "cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CVAAS)" method.

Optimization of AAS technology

In contrast to a typical multi-element AAS the LabAnalyzer 254 is specially designed for elemental mercury. This allows top performance in analytical applications. The use of a specially developed highly stable mercury lamp in connection with thermostat-controlled UV sensors results in a detection limit of a few ppt of mercury.

Memory effects are minimized and a high sample throughput is possible thanks to specially selected materials for sample gas conducting components and heating of the optical bench.

Operation and maintenance

The LabAnalyzers 254 is operated with a waterproof membrane keypad and a graphic LCD. Handling is extremely easy. The LabAnalyzer 254 does not require auxiliary gases. The carrier gas flow required for the analysis is generated by a built-in membrane pump which is maintenance-free and has a long service life.

Using the LabAnalyzer-254 is easy:

Safety for the user

The mercury cannot escape into the working environment, as any free mercury is collected in a sulfurized activated carbon absorber. If the cartridge needs replacement a message appears on the control panel. The analyzed sample no longer contains any mercury.

Fast measurement

Even with high concentrations no lengthy purging time is required. The typical duration of a measurement including purging is 60 to 100 sec. over the entire measuring range.

During the entire measurement the measuring signal is continuously displayed on the graphic display. An acoustic alarm is sounded to indicate the end of the measurement. In addition to the measurement signal curve over time, the peak value and the mercury concentration are indicated.

Together with the data necessary for quality assurance the results of the analyses are stored in the RAM of the built-in computer. They are available at any time, and an automatic print-out of this data is also possible.