The EZkem blog is your go-to resource for laboratories in the spectroscopy fields — including flow analysis and cyanide analysis.
Cadmium Coils and Reagent Solutions
The age of a reagent solution is extremely important to the effectiveness of the reaction in the coil. Many laboratories, because of time and money constraints, store reagent solutions for long periods of time. For the most part this is acceptable, but there are a few exceptions and restrictions to this practice. NEVER store solutions [...]
Cadmium Coils and Surfactant Buildup
Old Surfactant Solution Causes Problems in Cadmium Reduction Coils In our earlier blog posts we have discussed many reasons for possible loss of cadmium coil reduction efficiency. Along with metal contamination, nitrate contamination and gas contamination, we have also seen old surfactant solution cause problems in cadmium reduction coils. Because of the unstable nature of [...]
OTCR Cadmium Coil Common Sizes
Getting the Correct OTCR Cadmium Coil for Your Flow Analyzer In our cadmium coil blog series, we wanted to address the difference between our 12 inch and 24 inch OTCR (Open Tubular Cadmium Reaction) cadmium coils. The 12-inch coil was originally designed to be used on RFA instruments that used a slower pump speed and [...]
Metal Contamination Reduces Cadmium Coil Efficiency
Last week, we discussed the loss of reduction efficiency in cadmium coils caused by nitrate contamination in ammonium chloride. This week we are examining metal contamination and cadmium coil efficiency. This type of contamination occurs in the sulfanilamide solution. Of course, sulfanilamide solution contains N-naphthylethylenediamine dihydrochloride which serves to bind heavy metals. If metal exists [...]
Nitrate Contamination Reduces Cadmium Coil Efficiency
Nitrate Contamination: A very real and very well documented effect in various laboratories is the loss of reduction efficiency in cadmium coils caused by nitrate contamination in the ammonium chloride. Nitrate contamination will cause a steady continuous reaction in a cadmium reduction coil during a run. Depending on the level of contamination, this condition can [...]
Segmented Flow Analysis and the Cadmium Coil
Two things to consider when using a cadmium coil in a segmented flow analysis system: Pure gas & checking the system for leaks. Pure gas is vital when it comes to the cadmium coil, any impurities in the gas or leaks in the SFA system itself will significantly reduce a cadmium coil's reductive efficiency. In [...]