Selective applications of solid-phase reactors in flow injection systems

Abstract

In the development and use of flow systems there is a continual challenge to not only get a particular method as sensitive as possible, but also to keep reagent consumption low while miniaturising the system. These factors affect the total running cost of a system, and are therefore important when designing a system for a particular purpose. In this dissertation the use of solid-phase reactors in flow systems is evaluated. The aims in using these reactors are reagent reduction and system simplification. The first two chapters of the dissertation aim to give a broad background on flow injection analysis as. well as solid-phase reactors. The first application discussed is the determination of manganese (Il) in mining effluent with a redox reactor. The second application is the determination of sulphide in dairy effluent with a precipitating reactor, while the third is the determination of iron (III) in ground water and multivitamin tablets with a complexing reactor. All these reactors, with the possible exception of the precipitating reactor, reduce the reagent consumption that is typical of methods normally used. With regard to system simplification and miniaturisation, the reactors, again with exception of the precipitating reactor, succeed in meeting the aims set at the start of the study.