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If you perform water analyses on a regular basis, then you know that analyzing different parameters for drinking water can be quite time-consuming, expensive, and it requires significant manual labor. In this article, I’d like to show you an example of wider possibilities in automated sample analysis when it comes to combining different analytical techniques, especially for our drinking water.
Water is the source and basis of all life. It is essential for metabolism and is our most important foodstuff.
As a solvent and transporting agent it carries not only the vital minerals and nutrients, but also, increasingly, harmful pollutants, which accumulate in aquatic or terrestrial organisms.
Within the context of quality control and risk assessment, there is a need in the water laboratory for cost-effective and fast instruments and methods that can deal with the ever more complex spectrum of harmful substances, the increasing throughput of samples, and the decreasing detection limits.
Comprehensive analysis
of ionic components in liquid samples such as water involves four analytical techniques:
- Direct measurement
- Titration
- Ion chromatography
- Voltammetry
Each of these techniques has its own particular strengths. However, applying them one after the other on discrete systems in the laboratory is a rather complex task that takes up significant time.
Back in 1998, Metrohm accepted the challenge of combining different analytical techniques in a single fully automated system, and the first TitrIC system was introduced.
What is TitrIC?
The TitrIC system from Metrohm combines direct measurement, titration, and ion chromatography in a fully automated system.
Direct measurements include temperature, conductivity, and pH. The acid capacity (m and p values) is determined titrimetrically. Major anions and cations are quantified by ion chromatography. Calcium and magnesium, which are used to calculate total hardness, can be determined by titration or ion chromatography.
The results are displayed in a common table, and a shared report is given out at the end of the analysis. All methods in TitrIC utilize the same liquid handling units and a common sample changer.
Efficient: Titrations and ion chromatography are performed simultaneously with the TitrIC flex system:
For more detailed information about the newest TitrIC system, which is available in two predefined packages, take a look at our informative brochure.
How does TitrIC work?
Each water sample analysis is performed fully automated at the push of a button—fill up a sample beaker with the sample, place it on the sample rack, and start the measurement. The liquid handling units transfer the required sample volume (per measurement technique) for reproducible results. TitrIC carries out all the work, and analyzes up to 175 samples in a row without any manual intervention required, no matter what time the measurement series has begun. The high degree of automation reduces costs and increases both productivity and the precision of the analysis.
To learn more about how to perform comprehensive water analysis with TitrIC flex II, download our free application note:
Comprehensive water analysis with TitrIC flex II
Would you like to know more about why automation should be preferred over manual titration? Check out our previous blog post on this topic:
Save time on your repetitive laboratory tasks with TitrIC. You don’t have to take our word for it—check out what our customers at the Laboratory of the Swiss Canton of Zurich (Department of Elemental Analysis) have to say about TitrIC and working with Metrohm.
Calculations with TitrIC
With the TitrIC system, not only are sample analyses simplified, but the result calculations are performed automatically. This saves time and most importantly, avoids sources of human error due to erroneously noting the measurement data or performing incorrect calculations.
Selection of calculations
which can be automatically performed with TitrIC:
- Molar concentrations of all cations
- Molar concentrations of all anions
- Ionic balance
- Total water hardness (Ca & Mg)
- … and more
Ionic balances provide clarity
The calculation of the ion balance helps to determine the accuracy of your water analysis. The calculations are based on the principle of electro-neutrality, which requires that the sum in eq/L or meq/L of the positive ions (cations) must equal the sum of negative ions (anions) in solution.
TitrIC can deliver all necessary data required to calculate the ion balance out of one sample. Both anions and cations are analyzed by IC, and the carbonate concentration (indicative of the acid capacity of water) is determined by titration.
If the value for the difference in the equation is almost zero, then this indicates that you have accurately determined the major anions and cations in your sample.
Advantages of a combined system like TitrIC
- Utmost accuracy: all results come from the same sample beaker
- Completely automated, leaving analysts more time for other tasks
- One shared sample changer saves benchtop space and costs
- Save time with parallel titration and IC analysis
- Flexibility: use titration, direct measurement, or IC either alone or combined with the other techniques
- Single database for all results and calculation of the ionic balance, which is only possible with such a combined system, and gives further credibility to the sample results
Even more possibility in sample analysis
TitrIC has been developed especially for automated drinking water analysis but can be adapted to suit any number of analytical requirements in food, electroplating, or pharmaceutical industries. Your application determines the parameters that are of interest.
If the combination of direct measurement, titration, and IC does not suit your needs, perhaps a combination of voltammetry and ion chromatography in a single, fully automatic system might be more fitting. Luckily, there is the VoltIC Professional from Metrohm which fulfills these requirements.
Learn more about this system here:
Summary
As you see, the possibility of combining different analysis techniques is almost endless. Metrohm, as a leading manufacturer of instruments for chemical analysis, is aware of your analytical challenges. For this reason, we offer not only the most advanced instruments, but complete solutions for very specific analytical issues. Get the best out of your daily work in the laboratory!
Your knowledge take-aways
Read our article in LC/GC's The Column November 2020 edition
