Automation analysisdownloads.hindawi.com/journals/jamc/1981/607215.pdf · particular reference to solid-liquid extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, concentration, solvent exchange

Meeting Reports

wound in a double helix. Fluid transfer power is supplied bycompressed air, whilst the valving system is exposed solely to"clean" fluids air and methylene chloride. Use of anappropriate phase separator permits other water/solventcombinations to be used.

Massie 15] has developed a multi-channel, continuousflow instrument for use in water testing laboratories. Thisinstrument is capable of running six tests simultaneously,many of the tests in the part-per-billion range. The automaticsampler has a special feature so that it can accommodatesamples with different matrices, such as acid digested samplesfor a TKN determination. The programmer is capable of in-terfacing with two samplers; therefore, four different samplematrices can be handled at one time.

Conetta [16] presented a technique whereby total phos-phate in water samples may be determined by a photochemi-cal decomposition of organic phosphorus compounds and thethermal hydrolysis of acid-hydrolysable phosphates followedby the conventional colorimetric determination of theliberated ortho-phosphate with molybdenum blue. Analy-tica! performance data were presented and discussed.

Further details of these papers can be obtained by corres-ponding with the primary authors. Many of these haveindicated that they will be submitting their manuscripts tothis Journal for formal publication.

P.B. Stockwell

REFERENCES[1] A continuous in-process surface tension measuring device.

V.P. Janule, Madison-Kipp Corporation, 201 Waubesa Street,Madison, Wisconsin 5 3704.

[2] Automation in monitoring gases and particulates in the pulpand paper industry. T.L.C. De Souza, Pump & Paper ResearchInstitute of Canada (PPRIC), 570 St. John’s Blvd., Pointe Claire,Que., Canada.

[3] Continuous analysis of oxygen in coke oven gas. Dan P. Manka,Consultant, 1109 Lancaster Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15218.

[4]Automated instrumentation for chemical analyses in processcontrol. H. V. Malrnstadt, School of Chemical Sciences, Univ. ofIllinois, Urbana, Illinois 96740.

[5] The changing face of laboratory automation: Present & Future.P.B. Stockwell, Editor, Journal of Automatic Chemistry, UnitedTrade Press, 33-35 Bowling Green Lane, London, EC1R 0DA.

[6] Non-specific methods of analysis: the unsung heroes of theprocess control world. R.T. Oliver, Foxboro Analytical, Bals-bough Electro-Chemical Ctr., Armstrong Road, PlymouthIndustrial Park, Plymouth, MA 02360.

[7] A microprocessor-based control and data reduction system forMulti-channel flow injection analysers. Dorothea H. Jirauch,Lachat Chemicals Inc., 10500 N. Port Washington Road,Mequeon. WI 53092.

[8] Simplex optimisation applied to flow injection analysis. Craig R.Ranger, Lachat Chemicals Inc., Instrument Division, 10500 N.Port Washington Road, Mequon. WI 53092.

[9] Applications of a new, automated solution handling systemutilising flow injection methodology. K.G. Schick, FiatronSystems Inc., 6651 N. Sidney PI., Milwaukee WI 5 3209.

[10] Guidelines for designing flow injection analysis systems. JosephT. Vanderslice, USDA, Nutrient Composition Lab., Room 225,Building 308, Barc-East, Beltsville, MD 20705.

[11] A model for two phase AMFIA systems. Kent T. Stewart,USDA, Nutrient Composition Lab., Room 225, Building 308,Barc-East, Beltsville, MD 20705.

[12] Use of an exponential dilution chamber as a means of scaleexpansion in flow injection analysis (FIA). Kent K. Stewart,USDA, Nutrient Composition Lab., Room 225, Building 308,Barc-East, Beltsville, MD 20705.

[13] Some aspects of automated sample preparation. Robert Wein-berger, Technicon Industrial Systems, Tarrytown, New York10591.

[14]A novel, automated liquid extraction technique for aqueouspesticides samples. P. Baulu, Pesticides Section, LaboratoryServices Branch, Ministry of the Environment, PO Box 213,Rexdale, Ontario, Canada.

15] A new continuous-flow, highly sensitive, six channel wateranalyser. Lynne Massie, ALPKEM Corporation, PO Box 1260,Clackamas OR 97015.

[16] An automated method for the measurement of total phosphateby UV digestion. A. Conetta, Technicon Industrial Systems,Tarrytown, New York 10591.

Automation in food analysis

A joint meeting on the above topic, organised by the Auto-matic Methods Group and South East Region of the Analyti-cal Division of the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK, was heldin Leatherhead, Surrey on 12 December 1980.

In the morning session Dr Folkes [1] discussed theapplications of HPLC in the analysis of foodstuffs; he parti-cularly emphasised the contribution of automation bothduring the development of analytical procedures and subse-quently during their routine use. The second paper waspresented by Mr Coverly [2] who discussed the automationOf on-line sample preparation procedures for HPLC, withparticular reference to solid-liquid extraction, liquid-liquidextraction, concentration, solvent exchange and derivatisa-tion techniques. The potential for the incorporation of theseprocedures into fully automated analytical systems for use inthe food industry was considered. The final paper of themorning session was given by Dr Saxby [3] who brieflydescribed a compact computer-controlled quadrupole massspectrometer coupled to a gas chromatograph. The appli-cation of the technique was illustrated by reference to workon the detection of taints and off-flavours in foodstuffs.The use of the peak-finder mode of operation, in whichmass spectra are recorded on all peaks from the GC, wasexemplified by reference to the detection of chlorobenzenein milk products. The use of ion-monitor mode, in whichonly selected ions are monitored, was illustrated by thedetection of chloroanisoles, chlorophenols and mesityloxide in a variety of materials.

After lunch the Automatic Methods Group held a shortAGM before the first paper in the afternoon session in whichDr Osborne [4] discussed the application of near IR(NIR) inthe automated analysis of protein and moisture levels incereals and cereal products. He also indicated further possibleapplications including the measurement of flour colour,degree of starch damage and the prediction of bread-makingquality of the flour. The second paper, by Mr Davies [5]considered the use of automated ion-selective electrodeanalytical procedures with particular reference to the deter-mination of trace chloride levels in poultry meat. Finally,Mr Steele [6] described some automated on-line monitoringsystems for the measurement of a variety of physical para-meters of food materials during processing. He particularlyemphasised the impact of micro-electronics in the fields ofweighing, sorting, flow measurement and sizing, and thecontribution of microprocessors in the field of integratedplant control systems. Finally he gave a brief insight into thefuture with a mention of the use of a microprocessor con-trolled automated NMR spectrometer for the measurementof fat in a chocolate ingredient.

The meeting was well received by the audience and aparticularly useful exchange of information and ideas wasobtained during the two discussion periods at the end of themorning and afternoon sessions. It was unfortunate that anattendance of 35 did not do justice to the excellent con-tributions from the speakers and the superb facilities providedby our hosts BFMIRA.

Clive J. JacksonSee page 103 for references

Volume 3 No. 2 April 1981 101

Meeting Reports

REFERENCES[1] The use of automation in the development and application of

chromatographic methods in food analysis. Dr D. Folkes, RttMCentral Research Laboratory, High Wycombe, Bucks.

[2] Automated sample preparation for HPLC-techniques, applicationsand some possibilities in food analysis. S. C. Coverly, TechniconInstrument Co. Ltd., Basingstoke, Hants.

[3] Applications of GC/quadrupole MS in trace food analysis,Dr. M. J. Saxby, BFMIRA, Leatherhead, Surrey.

[4] Application of near IR to the analysis of food. Dr. B.G. Osborne,Flour Milling and Baking Research Association, Chorleywood.

[5] Determinaiton of trace chloride in poultry meat using automatedion selective electrode techniques. A.M.C. Davies, Food-ResearchInstitute, Norwich.

[6] Process instrumentation in the food factory. D.J. Steele, BFMIRA,Leatherhead, Surrey.

Proc uct ews

Atlantic City revisited 1981

A review ofexhibits at this year’s Pittsburgh ConferenceThe 32nd Annual Pittsburgh Conferenceon Analytical Chemistry and AppliedSpectroscopy was held from 9- 13thMarch at Atlantic City, NJ, USA (Areport on the scientific meetings appearson page 100). In true tradition it wasbigger, better attended and had morelectures presented at it than before. Asa regular visitor one was left with theopinion that perhaps there is reallyvery little new under the sun. Micro-processors were first presented severalyears ago and now they are mostlycommon place, while visual displayunits and graphics displays increasein numbers and sophistication. Thisyear there was a considerable interestin computer systems and networking.

The show presented the latest stateof the art instrumentation, and theseinstruments are more and more sophis-ticated however, do they fulfill the trueaims of the analyst? Very often it is sadto note that instrument companies havedeveloped their systems without regardto the needs of the analyst; particularlythey do not often allow facilities forfiling data and interogation of the dataat a future date.

It is impossible to cover all the aspectsof instrumentation on show which re-lated to automation, however the fewwhich are discussed here typify those onshow.

SpectrophotometerThe new DU-5 UV-visible/NIRcomputingspectrophotometer displayed by Beck-man automates procedures in analysingaerosols, polymers, paints, food, drugs,water and biologicals. This table-top in-strument includes a spectrophotometer,microcomputer and printer in oneunit with software memory storagemodules. It can be programmed forspecific user applications with quickchange-over between analyses. The

Beckman’s DU-5 UV visible/NIR computingspectrophotometer.

DU-5 stores internally three individualanalysis programs. Memory-Pac plug-insoftware modules offer program storagefor five additional analyses with an EA-ROM non-volatile memory that willnot erase in a power failure or when re-moved from the instrument.Beckman Instruments Inc., 2500 HarborBoulevard, Box 3100, Fullerton, Cal..92634, USA.

Atomic fluorescence spectrometerThe Baird Corporation introduced theirPlasma/AFS which is currently the onlycommercially available atomic fluor-escence spectrometer. Intended for thesimultaneous determination of any 12of 65 different elements, it delivers upto 1,800 determinations per hour andoffers a cost-effective alternative to tra-ditional atomic absorption and plasmaemission techniques. It has a lineardynamic range of 4 5 orders of mag-nitude with "virtually no spectral inter-ferences". Setup for a different com-bination of elements is fast and requiresno optical or mechnical alignment.Baird Corporation, 125 Middlesex Turn-pike, Bedford, MS O1 730, USA.

Volume 3 No. 2 April 1981

Computer interfaceUTI has developed a microprocessor-based interface which links their rangeof mass spectrometers with virtually anycomputer on the market. The Spectra-Link is compatible with the IEEE 488,RS-232C and RS-449 interface standards.The unit includes software storedin read-only memory (firmware) forfive operating modes, Four of these(spectrum scan mode, total pressuremode, specific.peak mode, and calibrationmode) automatically perform most ofthe common tasks required to controlthe unit. The fifth, direct control mode,permits even more operator flexibilityby allowing the user to write totallyoriginal programs.UII, 325 N. Mathilda Avenue, Sunny-vale, CA 94086, USA.

IR SpectrophotometersPerkin Elmer’s new product line of lowcost infr.ared spectrophotometers, theModel 1300 series, was exhibited.There are three models; the 1310 has asingle slit program and two scan speeds,the 1320 and 1330 have three scanspeeds and two appropriate slit programs.The series can be interfaced to the Model3500 infrared data station providing animprovement of spectral quality andthe facility to use the spectrophotometerfor ’Search’ applications in the iden-tification of unknowns.Perkin-Elmer Corp, Main A venue(MS-12), Norwalk, CT 06856, USA.

Editor’s Note:. The address of themanufacturer/supplier appears in italicsat the end of each item. In some casesthis address will be that of a subsidiaryto the manufacturing company as theaddress given is that from which theinformation has been obtained.

103

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Automation analysisdownloads.hindawi.com/journals/jamc/1981/607215.pdf · particular reference to solid-liquid extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, concentration, solvent exchange