High Automation of Thermo Scientific FlashSmart CHNS/O Analyzer using the MultiValve Control (MVC) Module

Význam tématu

The accurate and automated determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen is critical for quality control, research and development in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, academic and material science laboratories. High automation and rapid switching between elemental analyses improve laboratory efficiency, reproducibility and cost management by reducing manual intervention, gas consumption and analysis time.

Cíle a přehled studie / článku

This study evaluates the performance of the MultiValve Control Module integrated with the Thermo Scientific FlashSmart Elemental Analyzer. The main objectives are to demonstrate automated switching between CHNS combustion and oxygen pyrolysis circuits, assess repeatability and accuracy over multiple days, verify stability after configuration changes and quantify gas savings during stand-by operation.

Použitá metodika a instrumentace

The system comprises two independent furnaces for CHNS combustion and oxygen pyrolysis, a MAS Plus Autosampler, a GC separation column and a thermal conductivity detector. The MVC Module controls carrier gas switching and valve routing under EagerSmart Data Handling Software. Key conditions include reactor temperatures of 950 °C (CHNS) and 1060 °C (oxygen), helium carrier flows of 140 ml/min (CHNS) and 100 ml/min (oxygen), and run times below 10 minutes for CHNS and 5 minutes for oxygen. Multiple standard compounds and unknown samples were measured in sequences over a 35-day period, with daily alternation between CHNS and oxygen modes and automated gas reduction in stand-by.

Hlavní výsledky a diskuse

Switching between combustion and pyrolysis configurations had no measurable effect on accuracy or precision. CHNS results for sulfanilamide and methionine yielded RSD values below 1 % and deviations within specified ranges. Oxygen analysis of BBOT showed consistent O% values with RSD below 1 %. Linearity and repeatability were confirmed across a range of organic standards, including high-nitrogen (urea, imidazole) and high-carbon (polystyrene, polyethylene, tocopherol nicotinate) compounds. The system reached stable operation within ten minutes after each configuration change. Stand-by switching from helium to nitrogen or argon significantly reduced inert gas consumption.

Přínosy a praktické využití metody

• Fully unattended CHNS/O analysis with rapid automated reconfiguration enhances throughput and reduces labor.
• Low helium consumption in stand-by mode lowers operational costs.
• Dual-circuit design allows simultaneous readiness for different elemental analyses without hardware changes.
• EagerSmart software integration provides complete workflow management and automated calibration verification.

Budoucí trendy a možnosti využití

Future developments may include expanded element combinations (CHN/S, N-Protein assays), integration with sample tracking and laboratory information management systems, remote monitoring capabilities and further miniaturization. Enhanced software algorithms could enable adaptive calibration, predictive maintenance and greener analytical practices by optimizing gas flows and energy consumption.

Závěr

The FlashSmart Elemental Analyzer with the MVC Module delivers reliable, reproducible and high-throughput CHNS/O analysis. Automated configuration switching has no adverse impact on performance, while stand-by gas management reduces costs. This solution meets the demands of modern laboratories seeking robust elemental analysis with minimal manual intervention.

Reference

No specific literature references were provided in the original technical note.