A Fully Automated Chemical Separation and Purification System and Its Application to Isotope Analysis
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ABSTRACT
BACKGROUNDCritical problems such as ion diffusion and uncontrollable flow rate exist when applying the traditional natural flow chromatography column method to isotope analysis. The proposed automated chemical purification system improves the efficiency of isotope analysis, and reduces the time required for element purification.OBJECTIVESTo develop an automated chemical separation and purification system.METHODSThe automated chemical separation and purification system was composed of multi-way valves, plunger pump, autosampler, etc. All of the components were connected using a computer and each of them can be controlled independently. By combining two chromatographic columns multiple functions can be achieved, including reversed elution, which cannot be achieved by the traditional natural flow chromatography column method. In order to investigate the performance of the automated chemical separation and purification system, fresh seawater was purified with the proposed system and the traditional method simultaneously.RESULTSThe elution peak of boron had a width of 2.5mL to 3.0mL for the traditional method, but only ca. 1.0mL for the proposed system, if the loading volume of seawater was 1.0mL. The flow rate of the elution depended on the acidity using the traditional natural flow chromatography column method. However, the flow rate could be strictly controlled with the automated chemical separation and purification system.CONCLUSIONSThe precisely controlled flow rate of the system makes an easier prediction of the elution time and elution peak. The reversed column technology of the system can be applied to the separation and purification of elements for isotope analysis.
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