Thermo Scientific FLASH 2000 HT Elemental Analyzer for Isotope

m a s s
s p e c t r o m e t r y
Thermo Scientific
FLASH 2000 HT
Elemental Analyzer for
Isotope Ratio MS
Dynamic Flash Combustion and
High Temperature Conversion
in One Elemental Analyzer
Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Scientific FLASH 2000 HT
Elemental Analyzer for Isotope Ratio MS
2
Thermo Scientific FLASH 2000 HT Elemental Analyzer
The Thermo Scientific FLASH 2000 HT analyzer
combines two single-furnace systems, one for
Dynamic Flash Combustion and one for High
Temperature Conversion, into a single analyzer.
This system also combines the proven performance
of our FLASH 2000 IRMS and the TC/EA into one
instrument.
When coupled to a Thermo Scientific Isotope
Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS), this powerful but
economical analyzer allows bulk stable isotope
analyses of N, C, S, H and O of organic and inorganic materials as well as water and other liquids.
Dynamic Flash Combustion
and High Temperature Conversion
in One Elemental Analyzer
Today, there are more than 1000 Elemental Analyzers (EA) in use on
our Isotope Ratio MS. One out of two Isotope Ratio MS sold is
equipped with an EA. There is an increasing requirement for multielement isotope analysis, including applications such as quality
control and adulteration of food and drugs, environmental analysis,
and forensics.
The FLASH 2000 HT analyzer includes two completely separated circuits which enable the formation and separation of both N2
and CO2 (in Combustion mode) or H2 and CO (in High Temperature
Conversion mode). The stable isotope composition of these gases
can be analyzed when the FLASH 2000 HT system is connected to a
Thermo Scientific Isotope Ratio MS. Sulfur analysis is also possible,
either in simultaneous NCS analysis or in a dedicated S mode.
The integrated TCD (thermal conductivity detector) and dedicated Eager 300 software allow operation of the FLASH 2000 HT
analyzer as a stand-alone instrument to determine elemental
weight percentages of N, C, H, O, and S. During isotope analysis,
the determination of elemental weight percents is done with our
Isotope Ratio MS software, Thermo Scientific ISODAT.
The FLASH 2000 HT comes standard with a Thermo Scientific
MAS 200R carousel autosampler for solids and can optionally be
equipped with either an AS3000 or GC PAL autosampler (CTC) for
liquids. The FLASH 2000 HT system includes consumables for 1000
analyses of each C&N and H&O. A sulfur kit is optionally available.
• Dynamic Flash Combustion
- Quantitative Dumas combustion of C&N and S
• High Temperature Conversion
- Quantitative reduction of O and H to CO and H2
• Multiple Isotope Analysis
- 15N/14N and 13C/12C or D/H and 18O/16O, or 34S/32S
• Analysis of Solid and Liquid Samples
- Organic and Inorganic Materials
- Water and other Liquids
Principle of the Thermo Scientific FLASH 2000 HT
Elemental Analyzer
The analyzer facilitates multiple isotope ratio analysis by enabling
conversion reactions in either of the two separated pneumatic circuits
– Dynamic Flash Combustion or High Temperature Conversion –
with subsequent separation of the gases in two dedicated isothermal GC columns. TheThermo Scientific ConFlo IV open split interface
between the FLASH 2000 HT elemental analyzer and the Isotope
Ratio MS allows automated dilution of the sample gas for highest
dynamic range of C&N and H&O content and controls the introduction of reference gases.
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Thermo Scientific FLASH 2000 HT
Elemental Analyzer for Isotope Ratio MS
High Temperature Conversion
The Thermo Scientific TC/EA high temperature conversion
elemental analyzer was introduced in 1996 and has revolutionized
the measurement of 18O/16O and D/H ratios in both organic and
inorganic materials. This technological breakthrough is included in
the FLASH 2000 HT elemental analyzer. Quantitative high temperature conversion, often referred to as pyrolysis or thermochemolysis,
rapidly and quantitatively converts the sample’s O and H into CO
and H2 in a reducing environment at high temperatures (typically
exceeding 1400 °C). CO and H2 are separated in an isothermal GC
column prior to transfer into the ion source of the Isotope Ratio MS
for sequential determination of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of
the sample.
The reactor is a glassy carbon tube filled with glassy carbon
granules surrounded by a ceramic tube. The glassy carbon tube
ensures that neither sample nor reaction gases make contact with
the ceramic tube to preclude oxygen isotope exchange at high
temperature. This is the only analytical technology which allows
high precision isotope ratio monitoring of D/H and 18O/16O during
a single analysis (see chromatogram below).
The TC/EA technique has been increasingly used for isotope
ratio analysis of H2O. Precisions close to those of classical analytical techniques can be attained on sub-microliter amounts of water
with analytical time of 5-6 minutes for both isotopes.
Applications for High Temperature Conversion
• Oxygen and hydrogen analysis of organic matter
• Isotope ratio analysis of H2O
• Medical tracer studies (doubly labeled water)
• Oxygen isotopes of sulfates, phosphates, nitrates
• Nitrogen and oxygen isotopes from nitrates
• Hydrogen isotopes of phyllosilicates and amphiboles
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MAS 200R Autosampler for solids
High Temperature
Conversion furnace
Dynamic Flash
Combustion furnace
Dynamic Flash Combustion
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Milan, Italy (formerly known as Carlo Erba)
introduced the first fully automated elemental analyzer in 1968.
This long record of continuous innovation in elemental analysis is
the basis for the Dynamic Flash Combustion mode used in the
stand-alone and isotope-ready versions of the FLASH 2000 IRMS.
Automated injection of oxygen into the reactor at a predefined time
guarantees quantitative sample conversion. The oxygen dosing is
variable allowing for optimal reaction of different sample types and
the most economic usage of the combustion reactors.
Tin capsules used for sample introduction combust in an
exothermic reaction reaching a temperature of up to 1800 °C for
a few seconds. Nitrous oxides which may be formed during
combustion are reduced by Cu to N2. After removal of H2O, the CO2
and N2 are separated on an isothermal GC column and the 13C/12C
and 15N/14N isotope ratios are measured sequentially. Only a few
simple modifications of the combustion system are needed to
change the system to SO2 for precise isotope-ratio-monitoring of
34S and 33S with high sample throughput.
Applications for Dynamic Flash Combustion
• Authenticity control of beverages, food and drugs
• Forensic science
Status Display
• Environmental Analysis
• Oceanography and limnology
• Tracer analysis
Water trap and GC cabinet with
one column for N2 and CO2 separation and another column for H2
and CO separation, TCD Thermal
Conductivity Detector.
FLASH 2000 HT Elemental Analyzer for Isotope Ratio MS
5
Thermo Scientific FLASH 2000 HT
Elemental Analyzer for Isotope Ratio MS
6
Kits and Supplies
Sulfur Kit
The H2O Kit
Because SO2 is adsorbed on active surfaces and can condense onto
surfaces, the analysis of sulfur isotopes requires some specialized
setups. The Thermo Scientific ConFlo IV interface is equipped with
a heated Reference Gas controller which, in combination with
the inert fused silica transfer lines, the heated inlet valve and the
heated ion source, ensures negligible memory during analysis and
allows for excellent long term performance. The Sulfur Kit includes
a special reactor to optimize the combustion of bulk materials to
SO2 and an SO2-inert GC column for fast sulfur analysis. The active
exhaust of the ConFlo IV interface allows excess SO2 to be vented
through the lab’s exhaust facility.
Isotope analysis of water and liquids by high temperature conversion with the FLASH 2000 HT elemental analyzer requires rapid
transfer of the injected liquid into the reaction zone. The H2O kit
includes a special insert for the reactor, a septum-equipped injection
head, a microliter syringe, screw top vials and spare parts.
A special autosampler for liquids, e.g. Thermo Scientific
AS3000, is recommended achieving high throughput and repeatedly
reproducible injection for highest precision.
Tracer Kit
The NoBlank Option
The tracer kit allows the analysis of isotope ratios of enriched samples from tracer studies by extending the dynamic range of the
amplifiers. The high ohmic resistors can be switched automatically
under computer control for analysis of isotopically enriched samples
from tracer experiments. The default amplification of ion beams up
to 50 V covers the range from natural abundances up to 10 atom %.
Above 10 atom %, a specially adapted pair of resistors is used to
analyze the highly enriched samples.
Common autosamplers have unsatisfactory lock systems which
allow introduction of air along with the samples, which contributes
to the analytical blank. The new Thermo Scientific NoBlank Sampling Device for single sample purge avoids common autosampler
drawbacks such as low sample loads, long purge times and the
inability to reload carousels during acquisition. Samples are loaded
into carousels of the standard autosampler, just as before, but with
each sample drop, the NoBlank device parks a new sample from the
autosampler in a small He purged chamber during analysis of the
previous sample.
Analytical Performance
External Precision for Isotope Ratios C, N, S, O, H, (n = 10), δ Notation
Urea or Acetanilide at Natural Abundance for C and N - IRMS
C/12C
0.15‰
0.00015 atom%
0.2‰
0.0002 atom%
N/14N
0.15‰
0.00005 atom%
0.4‰
0.00013 atom%
13
50 µg C, N
5 µg C or 10 µg N
15
Sulfanilamide at Natural Abundance for S
S/32S
0.2‰
34
50 µg S
Benzoic Acid at Natural Abundance for H and O – IRMS
O/16O
0.4‰
D/H
3‰
O/16O
0.2‰
D/H
2‰
18
50 µg O, 25 µg H
Pure Water at Natural Abundance
18
0.5 µL
External Precision for Elemental Concentration (RSD), Mass Traces
50 µg C, N (urea)
50 µg O, 25 µg H (benzoic acid)
C
NH
1%
1%
2%
O
2%
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The FLASH 2000 HT analyzer can be connected to any
current Thermo Scientific Isotope Ratio MS equipped for
continuous flow application. If hydrogen isotope ratios
are to be analyzed, the IRMS must be equipped with an
energy filter to supress 4He+ ions on the DH collector
(Thermo Scientific MAT 253, DELTA V Plus and DELTA V
Advantage IRMS).
Gases
Instrument Description
590 x 580 x 500 mm (w x d x h)
67 kg (net value)
• Base unit FLASH 2000 HT elemental analyzer
(two furnaces)
• Eager 300 software
• MAS 200R autosampler for solids with
32 sample tray
• Standard outfit for H&O and N&C determination
for approx. 1000 analyses each
Helium : 99.999% purity
Oxygen : 99.995% purity
Power supply
230 V, 50/60 Hz, 1400 VA
Dimensions and Weight
Thermo Scientific FLASH 2000 HT Elemental Analyzer Dimensions (in mm)
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