dispatches from Analytica 2014
Anton Paar: Sample prep just got easier
The Multiwave GO routine digestion system, unveiled at Analytica 2014, can operate from 1 to 12 samples at once.
For reaction control the internal vessel temperature of each is controlled via an IR sensor.
The firm said the microwave design and built-in cooling helps the acid digestion system for analysis of environmental, food and feed samples.
Faster sample prep
Peter Kettisch, division manager of product lines, said sample preparations can now be done much faster compared to traditional microwaves.
“It will help chemists switch over from classical open hot plate digests which are commonly used in this environment to a modern microwave approach which saves time and money,” he told FoodQualityNews.com at Analytica trade show in Munich.
“We designed this sample preparation machine based on the basic requirements of the chemist in the food laboratory. He wants to do this sample preparation step in a very easy way in a short time, economic way.
“So the intention of this machine was to build this machine with a small footprint, which is easy to handle and which brings some additional value to the chemist.
“The additional value in this case means you build small reaction vessels, you reduce the quantity of reagents for the preparation step and you give the chemist a tool that works with too much scientific background knowledge.”
The Directed Multimode Cavity (DMC) provides the best of both monomode and multimode microwaves, said the firm.
As in a monomode system, the microwaves are directed directly to the sample, providing highly efficient heating in a compact system.
As in a multimode system, up to twelve samples can be digested in a single run, said the firm.
Microwave technology
“It is the novel design of microwave assembly that feeds the microwave energy we use for heating directly into the reaction vessel," said Kettisch.
“So contrary to big oven types we utilise the microwave energy very efficiently because we direct it to the sample solution which absorbs the energy and heats up very quickly.”
Smart Vent technology is the pressure-activated-venting concept invented by the firm which enables pressure control in each vessel.
The overpressure related to reaction gases is safely released and removed by the system.
Kettisch added that there was a built-in cooling unit based on the Turbo system of heating and cooling.
“At the end of the process you need to cool down very quickly and there is also a built-in cooler system which does the cooling job in less than 10 minutes.
“So we speak about process times of about 20 minutes typically for food materials.”
The most important parameter in the digestion is the requested temperature, said Kettisch.
“The higher the temperature the better the digestion will be and the faster it will be so this machines goes up to 250 degrees and works in a temperature-controlled mode. So you program a temperature profile and the machine automatically runs it for up to 12 samples at once.”
The chemist checking the vessels have reached the desired end temperature is the parameter for the quality of the digest.
“He checks if all the vessels went to the desired temperature, he can see this on a display and once this is done he takes the solution, dilutes it and goes to the analyser," added Kettisch.
