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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF THE PE AANALYST 300
ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETER
The Perkin-Elmer AAnalyst Model 300 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer is a sophisticated
instrument that allows determination of the concentration of many elements in both organic and
aqueous solutions. The basic principles of atomic absorption spectroscopy should be well understood
before operating this instrument. You must follow basic safety precautions when working with highpressure gases and high temperature flames and furnaces, and a thorough understanding of the
instrument is your best protection. If at any time you have reservations about the use of this
instrument, please consult your instructor.
The basic capabilities of the instrument and operating procedures are covered in this document
(assuming aqueous samples and standards); advanced operational methods can be found in the
instrument manuals and publications available in the laboratory (Musser 215).
For a very basic overview of AAS, consult the Perkin-Elmer Publication: Concepts,
Instrumentation, and Techniques in Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
For a more advanced overview of AAS, consult CH 9, “Atomic Absorption and Atomic
Fluorescence Spectroscopy” in Principles of Instrumental Analysis, 6th Ed. by Skoog, Holler, and
Crouch
For specific sample methods, consult the Perkin-Elmer Manuals:
o Analytical Methods for Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
o Analytical Techniques for Graphite Furnace AAS
o Graphite Furnace AAS, A Source Book
For software related applications, consult the Perkin-Elmer Manual: AA Winlab Software Guide
for Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
For hardware related applications, consult the Perkin-Elmer Manual:
o AAnalyst 100/300 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer Hardware Guide for Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy
o HGA-800 Graphite Furnace System including the AS-72 Autosampler Hardware Guide
For questions related to the water circulator, consult the Lauda/Brinkman Manual: Operating
Instructions #132: Lauda/Brinkman Circulator, Model K-2/R, Cat. No. 27 50 150-8 & Model
Super K-2/R Cat. No. 27 50 400-1
BASIC OPERATING PROCEDURES
1. Prepare your samples according to methods appropriate for both the metal ion you wish to study
and for the sample matrix from which you wish to extract the metal ion. Note the final analysis
medium used—either organic solvent or aqueous solution. Consult the literature and/or the
methods manuals for that particular metal to find the recommended instrumental parameters.
2. Prepare a blank and a set of standards within the concentration ranges appropriate for the method
you have chosen. Note that the matrix for the standards must be identical to the matrix used in
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your final samples. Consult the literature and/or the methods manuals to determine the appropriate
absorption wavelengths and standard concentrations for measurement of your metal ion analyte.
a. NOTE: Because this instrument generates an enormous amount of heat in the
burner flame or graphite furnace and a substantial amount of air, acetylene, and/or
argon are required to run the instrument, it is important that you have all standard
and sample solutions and a blank solution ready to analyze and record once you set
up the instrument and start the flame or furnace as described in subsequent steps.
b. ALSO NOTE: Please be reminded that whenever you are using compressed gases
and high temperature flames or furnaces, you must exercise extreme caution.
Proper safety attire (goggles, lab coats, long pants, closed-toed shoes, etc.) must be
worn as always when working in the laboratory. Flame atomic absorption
spectrophotometers can, on rare occasion, flash back through the burner assembly,
so you will wish to pay special attention to the step in which you verify that the
safety interlock pin is latched and the steel cables connected to the burner head are
properly attached. For your safety, you will also wish to locate the nearest fire
extinguisher, fire alarm, and fire exit before proceeding.
3. Assure that the solution collection bottle is empty and that the tubing is placed properly inside of it.
If the solution collection bottle needs to be emptied, notify the instructor. Also, for flame
measurements, place the aspirator tube into a clean beaker containing deionized water in the tray
below the burner head assembly. For graphite furnace measurements, assure that the pipet for the
autosampler is connected to the tubing that flows to an appropriate solvent in the solvent bottle to
the left of the instrument.
4. Under the supervision of or with permission from an instructor, install in the turret the appropriate
hollow cathode lamp (HCL) for the element you wish to analyze. Record the maximum operating
current (somewhere between 3 and 15 mA) that is likely printed on the bottom of the bulb, and
assure that it is not exceeded when powering up the bulb.
a. NOTE: There are two basic HCL designs used in atomic absorption
spectrophotometers—one that is 1.5 inches in diameter and one that is 2.0 inches in
diameter. All of the Perkin-Elmer instruments use the two inch bulbs, and the turret
for the bulbs, located inside the door on the upper right quadrant of the instrument,
is designed to receive only the larger HCLs. There is an adapter available to allow
the PE Aanalyst 300 to use the smaller bulbs, but the instrument detection limits
may not meet specifications if the smaller source is used.
b. Following the installation of the bulb in the holder, plug in the power cable end
fitting into the socket on the turret. If you are using an adapter for the smaller bulbs,
you will need to use an additional adapter cable for the power connection.
5. Turn on the exhaust hood using the VENT FAN SWITCH behind the instrument (to the left) on the
wall, and assure that the cutoff slide is open. Close the two cutoff slides for the exhaust from the
atomic emission spectrometer to the left of the AA. Verify that the air is being pulled into the top
of the cone above the AA before proceeding (i.e., assure that a KimWipe is pulled upward).
6. Power up the computer and monitor. Hit Cancel when prompted for a User Name and Password.
7. Turn on the power to the Aanalyst 300 Spectrometer (on the right-hand side of the instrument).
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8. Enter the appropriate information into the Users’ Log found in the drawer below the instrument.
Be certain to record any unusual observations or changes that you make to the instrument.
FOR FLAME MEASUREMENTS:
9. On the computer, select and launch the AA WinLab Analyst Software. The software will initialize
and establish communication with the spectrometer. If the initialization step includes a verification
that the furnace is on (i.e., you are the first to use the flame set-up after the instrument has been
used in graphite furnace mode), you will need to exit the Checking Connections box and select
Flame on the Technique menu bar.
10. When prompted, select “Use the basic system procedure for…” and choose the setup designated by
your instructor. Alternatively, you may develop your own setup by consulting the appropriate
section in the instrument manual.
11. If necessary,
a. align the lamp according to the procedures outlined in the AA Winlab Software
Guide for Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Section 3-3.
b. adjust the burner height as described in the AAnalyst 100/300 Atomic Absorption
Spectrometer Hardware Guide for Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Section 4-74.
12. Consult the literature and/or the methods manuals to determine the appropriate gas mixture for
measurement of your metal ion analyte.
a. Turn on the air supply and adjust the outlet pressure to 60 psi or that which you
determined from the literature.
b. Turn on the acetylene supply and adjust the outlet pressure to 13-14 psi or that
which you determined from the literature.
13. Double check that you know the location of the fire extinguisher, and then select Flame from the
Toolbar, and light the burner. Close the flame control window, and make certain that the Print Log
has been selected.
14. Measure Blank, Standards, and Sample(s)
a. Aspirate a blank solution (solvent matrix with no analyte), and select Analyze
Blank. NOTE: When you remove the aspiration tube from a solution, insert it
quickly into the next solution to prevent significant gas build-up in the tube.
b. Aspirate a standard solution beginning with the least concentrated. When the
reading stabilizes, select Analyze Standard
. Record the absorbance in your
notebook. Repeat this step with each of your standard solutions in order of
increasing concentration.
c. Aspirate your sample solution(s), and select Analyze Sample
when the absorbance
reading stabilizes. Verify that the absorbance for your sample falls between the
readings for your standards. If it is too high, you will wish to dilute and re-measure
the sample. If it is too low but within the detection limits of the instrument, you will
wish to prepare and measure standard solutions of lower concentration.
d. Aspirate the blank solution again, and record the reading in your notebook. A value
that differs significantly from zero is problematic and will require your attention.
e. Record all measured absorbances in your notebook.
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15. Close the Manual Analysis window. To view the calibration curve, select Calib. To view the
results of the sample analysis, select Results. To retrieve the last page of the printed output, select
New Page from the Print command list. Affix printed hard copies into your notebook.
16. SHUTDOWN PROCEDURES
a. After the final solution has been aspirated, allow at least three minutes of pure
deionized water to aspirate through the burner head to remove all reagents.
b. Open the Flame Control window, and click on the Flame icon. The system will
automatically extinguish the flame safely.
c. Turn off the burner gas supplies to the spectrometer.
d. In the Flame Control window, click on the Bleed Gases button to depressurize the
gas lines.
e. Wait at least 10 minutes after you have extinguished the flame, and then turn off the
fume ventilation system using the switch behind the instrument.
f. Exit the software and Windows, and turn off the spectrometer, the computer, and the
printer.
g. Empty the drain vessel, being certain to dispose of waste properly.
h. Store samples and standards or dispose of them properly. They should not be left
near the instrument.
i. Double check that you carried out each of steps 16a-h before exiting the lab.
FOR GRAPHITE FURNACE MEASUREMENTS:
9. Turn on the Argon supply, and adjust the output to 50 psi.
10. Assure that the PE Accessory Cooling System (found below the instrument) is on and that the
water level is in the appropriate range for use.
11. Turn on the power to the Furnace using the switch on the left-hand side of the instrument.
12. On the computer, select and launch the AA WinLab Analyst Software. The software will initialize
and establish communication with the spectrometer and the graphite furnace. When prompted,
select “Use the basic system procedure for…” and choose the setup designated by your instructor.
Alternatively, you may develop your own setup by consulting the appropriate section in the
instrument manual.
13. If necessary,
a. align the lamp according to the procedures outlined in the AA Winlab Software
Guide for Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Section 3-3.
b. check the graphite tube in the furnace as described in the HGA-800 Graphite
Furnace System including the AS-72 Autosampler Hardware Guide, Section 2-19.
c. condition the graphite tube as described in the HGA-800 Graphite Furnace System
including the AS-72 Autosampler Hardware Guide, Section 2-15.
d. fill and prime the rinsing system as described in the HGA-800 Graphite Furnace
System including the AS-72 Autosampler Hardware Guide, Section 2-27.
e. align the autosampler arm as described in the HGA-800 Graphite Furnace System
including the AS-72 Autosampler Hardware Guide, Section 2-28.
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f. adjust the penetration depth of the pipet in the graphite tube as described in the
HGA-800 Graphite Furnace System including the AS-72 Autosampler Hardware
Guide, Section 2-30.
g. adjust the penetration depth of the pipet in the sample cup as described in the HGA-
800 Graphite Furnace System including the AS-72 Autosampler Hardware Guide,
Section 2-32.
h. Check the solution droplet delivery as described in the HGA-800 Graphite Furnace
System including the AS-72 Autosampler Hardware Guide, Section 2-34.
14. Measure Blank, Standards, and Sample(s)
a. Fill the sample cups in the autosampler with your blank, standard, and sample
solutions.
b. Program the autosampler (as described by the instructor or in the software manual)
to obtain the desired number of replicate measurements for the blank, standards, and
samples.
c. Record the peak areas in your notebook, and affix printed hard copies into your
notebook as well.
15. SHUTDOWN PROCEDURES
a. Flush the autosampler rinsing system with deionized water by selecting Flush
Sampler from the Furnace Control Window.Exit the software and Windows, and
turn off the graphite furnace unit, the spectrometer, the computer, and the printer.
c. Turn off the water circulator.
d. Turn off the argon gas supply.
e. Wait until the regulator on the gas valve reads 0 before turning off the fume
ventilation system using the switch behind the instrument.
f. Empty the drain vessel, being certain to dispose of waste properly.
g. Remove all samples and reagents from the autosampler tray. Store samples and
standards or dispose of them properly. They should not be left near the instrument.
h. Double check that you carried out each of steps 15a-g before exiting the lab.
ATTENTION:
Please report to Dr. Kneas any errors, sources of confusion, or suggested additions or
corrections to these operating procedures.
Elizabethtown College Department of Chemistry Last Updated by KK 1/09
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