Environmental applications of the centrifugal fast analyzer

Abstract

The centrifugal fast analyzer (GeMSAEC Fast Analyzer) was applied to the analysis of pollutants in air and water. Since data acquisition and processing are computer controlled, considerable effort went into devising appropriate software. A modified version of the standard FOCAL interpreter was developed which includes special machine language functions for data timing, acquisition, and storage, and also permits chaining together of programs stored on a disk. Programs were written and experimental procedures developed to implement spectrophotometric, turbidimetric, kinetic (including initial-rate, fixed-time, and variable-time techniques), and chemiluminescence methods of analysis. Analytical methods were developed for the following elements and compounds: SO$sub 2$, O$sub 3$, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Se(IV), Zn, Cl$sup -$, I$sup -$, NO$sub 2$$sup -$, PO$sub 4$$sup -3$, S$sup -2$, and SO$sub 4$$sup -2$. In many cases, standard methods could be adapted to the centrifugal analyzer, in others new methods were employed. In general, analyses performed with the centrifugal fast analyzer were faster, more precise, and more accurate than with conventional instrumentation. (auth)