brineFAST – Determination of Trace Impurities in Brines

The brineFAST S4 is a high performance sample introduction system for the determination of trace impurities in brines and other high matrix samples by ICPOES. Early detection of low and sub-ppb alkaline earth and transition metals in high purity brines improves chlor alkali plant process control and prevents costly damage to fluoropolymer membrane cells. Undiluted 30% brines may be sampled and analyzed directly, eliminating offline sample preparation and reducing contamination.

Benefits

Detection limits in brine up to 400x better than traditional sample introduction
Low blanks
Sub-ppb IDL's
Eliminate pump tubing
No daily maintenance
FAST: <8 minutes
Easy ICP optimization
High sensitivity

Features

Fully automated, inline preconcentration and matrix removal
Direct mode with up to 50x fixed inline dilution
Syringe-driven reagents for consistent chemistry and maximum throughput and cleanliness
Automatic cleaning of buffer cleanup column

Applications & Modes Chloralkali Information Spike Recovery Calibration Curves MDL Charts Resources

Applications

Preconcentration mode for determination of low and sub-ppb Ca, Mg, and other metals in 30% brine
Chlor alkali plant product monitoring for caustic soda and bleach
Determination of alkali earth metals and many transition metals in any high salt matrix sample
High throughput FAST analysis with inline dilution in Direct mode

Modes

Preconcentration mode:
A chelation column binds alkaline earth metals, transition metals, and rare earth elements but allows matrix Na⁺ and Cl^- ions to be rinsed out. After the preconcentration step, analytes are eluted and detected by ICP.

Direct mode:
Sample is automatically diluted inline by high-precision syringe pumps. Dilution reduces matrix effects and allows the determination of elements whose chemistry is not compatible with the preconcentration column.

Chloralkali plant process control

The brineFAST S4 is ideal for membrane cell chlor alkali plants, which require very reliable quantification of <5 ppb Ca, Mg, and other elements in 30% ultrapure brine to prevent costly membrane damage. With traditional ICP techniques, detection limits in 30% brine are insufficient to provide plant engineers with precise and accurate results at the required concentrations. With the reliable daily operation and improved detection limits of the brineFAST, plant engineers can ensure product specifications are maintained with fewer process adjustments and chemical inputs.

For non-membrane cell chlor alkali plants, the brineFAST S4 can be run in direct mode, allowing automatic, inline dilution of samples to limit matrix exposure in the ICP and significantly reduce ICP maintenance. The preconcentration features may still be used when necessary to improve detection limits.

Chloralkali product monitoring and certification

The brineFAST provides a convenient and powerful way to measure trace elemental impurities in chlor alkali plant products, such as sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite. These products can be measured with minimal sample preparation using the same instrument methods and conditions as the ultrapure brine analysis. Characterizing final products with the brineFAST provides high-precision, long-term data trends, which can benefit plant sales.

Spike recoveries in 50% Caustic soda (10x diluted) show excellent recovery against a calibration curve prepared in diluted nitric acid. Spike level is 50 ppb (500 ppb for Fe).

Comparison of spike recoveries for traditional analysis and the brineFAST S4 preconcentration technique. Note that the spike levels are 20x lower with the brineFAST S4 than with the original introduction system.