Five Reasons to Upgrade to Next-Generation ICP-OES Technology

Flaws built into older ICP-OES instrument designs can produce unsatisfactory results in several areas. New technologies demonstrate improvements across five broad categories — uptime, productivity, sensitivity/stability, usability, and cost of ownership. Let’s review how the five make upgrading to next-generation ICP-OES technology analyzers a wise choice for users with various analytical applications.

1. Maximized Operational Uptime

Several traditional design elements can produce unsatisfactory operation, maintenance, and repair downtime.

Conventional ICP-OES systems require users to add an external cooling system — typically a water-based chiller — to deal with high plasma-generated heat. This component adds unwelcome complexity, is often prone to internal leaks, and can require frequent maintenance. Other issues include the need for a steady argon or nitrogen gas flow in the optical chamber to prevent absorption-based transparency loss. By contrast, next-generation SPECTRO spectrometers, with integrated innovative, patented air-cooled technology, eliminate the need to maintain a separate, water-based cooling system. The line also features a unique sealed optical system that eliminates the necessity for gas purging — and the resulting delays.

2.?Optimized Productivity and Throughput

Conventional ICP-OES system generators may lack the power to deliver the higher performance levels sometimes needed (for example, in analytical situations requiring high plasma loads). In addition, some may require sequential processing of each element in a sample – which takes extra time. New technologies with a robust generator design provide ample power reserves to adapt to fast-changing, even extreme plasma loads with unhindered productivity. SPECTRO technology combines this generator with greater simultaneous spectrum capture for the highest possible sample throughput.

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3.?Increased Sensitivity and Stability

Almost all ICP-OES analyzers still use conventional echelle-type optical systems that perform adequately in some analytical situations but fall short in others. In next-generation SPECTRO ICP-OES analyzers with MultiView, a quick, simple mechanical adjustment enables users to switch plasma view modes for full axial sensitivity or full radial precision — without the compromises found in dual-view systems. In addition, SPECTRO ICP-OES analyzers utilizing Optimized Rowland Circle Alignment (ORCA) technology take full advantage of state-of-the-art CMOS linear array detectors and enable complete simultaneous measurement of the relevant spectrum and elements.

4.?Easy Usability

Despite promises, previous-generation ease-of-use claims often missed the mark. Sample introduction systems could be complicated, with lengthy startups, long flow paths, inflexible fixed valve designs, and finicky adjustments. Mastering the operating software required steep learning curves. Traceability was often insufficient. The best of the new ICP-OES analyzers include pre-optimized sample introduction, flexible designs with intelligent valve options and short fluid paths, and full control over valve timing. Moreover, next-gen operating and application software can deliver maximum simplicity, intuitiveness, speed, and audit trail traceability.

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5.?Lowest Costs of Ownership

Traditional ICP-OES ownership can represent substantial ongoing investments. Examples: Adding to a conventional analyzer’s base price is purchasing a separate water-based chiller (up to $5,000). Plus, the cost of potential repairs to fix the leaks to which they’re prone, the damage to other system components, and the resulting downtime. Also, add constant expenditures for consumable gas fill/purge cycles, related downtime, and possible repairs. In contrast, next-generation SPECTRO ICP-OES analyzer innovations eliminate these problems — and spending — to deliver the lowest possible lifetime operating and consumables cost.

Moreover, SPECTRO’s ORCA-polychromator-enabled optics allow unusually low detection limits — a benefit for users analyzing samples with trace level concentrations who find that their conventional echelle-based radial-view system proves inadequate and must re-invest in a pricier, higher-sensitivity axial-view model, or an expensive dual-view instrument.

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Conclusion

For the reasons given upon review of these five reasons, users will likely find upgrading to these next-generation instruments is an intelligent choice. Moreover, a study of the latest generation of ICP-OES analyzers from SPECTRO Analytical Instruments, which sets new benchmarks for simplified operation, low maintenance, and assured affordability in precise elemental analysis, may be equally smart.

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For the complete white paper, visit our resource library and download “Five Reasons to Upgrade to Next-Generation ICP- OES Technology.

There, discover even more information on ICP-OES technology and analysis, including white papers on:

• Ten Reasons You Need a Next-Generation ICP-OES for Routine Analyses
• Comparing ICP-OES/ICP-AES Analyzers’ Plasma Views: Axial, Radial, Dual, MultiView, and New Dual Side-On Interface
• And more.