vario EL cube

Good to know, that the measuring results are absolutely reliable.

2
More than 100 years ago, in the centre of Germany, near Elementar has coupled the latest developments in micro
Frankfurt, the high technology industrial company Heraeus electronics and mechanics with the vast experience in ele-
developed and manufactured the world‘s first elemental mental analysis. Newly developed separation and detection
analyser for organic substances. methods have been utilised.

From that foundation, a continuous progression of tech- Even the form and colour of the new instrument line offer
nology in elemental analysis products lead to the estab- improved clarity of the basic concept and special demands
lishment of Elementar. Still at the same location today,​ of elemental analysis.
Elementar is the world‘s leading producer of instruments for
the analysis of C, H, N, S and O.

The roots of
Die Kunst dersuccess
Elementaranalyse
Given Elementar‘s century long The progress in the analytical performance of the vario EL
expertise, it is not surprising that this cube is particularly evident in the fact that apart from the
characteristic ability of sample measurements up to the
development is particularly special. macro range, also the micro analysis of samples < 1 mg is
possible with the same sensitivity and precision like the
• Wide variety of elements measured from nearly all vario MICRO cube, the dedicated instrument for micro anal-
types of samples. ysis.

• Highest precision and accuracy of the analytical

results.

• Unsurpassed reliability and long time stability.

• High ease of use with a very innovative design.

• Lowest operation costs and set up requirements.

3
 The instrument concept -
simply sophisticated

Long time market presence

optimises our instrument for
the use in chemical analysis.

4
The measuring principle is impressively
simple as shown in the functional
diagram

The samples are weighed in tin or silver vessels and loaded The gas mixture is separated in its components via three
in the integrated carousel for 120 samples. In a fully auto- columns by the well proven purge & trap chromatography
matic process, the transfer of the sample through the ball and is subsequently fed into a thermal conductivity detec-
valve into the combustion tube is performed. tor (TCD).

Each sample is individually flushed with inert gas (Heraeus The TCD is based on thermistor technology, is impervious to
patent) to remove atmospheric nitrogen, resulting in a zero damage from oxygen intrusion, and stands out for particu-
blank sampling process. larly high stability and measuring dynamics.

The catalytic combustion is carried out at a permanent tem- Right before the detector an electronic gas flow control-
perature of up to 1200 °C. Unique is the furnace warranty of ler ensures absolutely stable pressure and flow conditions.
10 years! This results in a stable instrument calibration over months
or even years.
For special applications even 1400 °C can be selected.
A connected PC computes the element concentration from
Subsequently, the reduction of the combustion gases on the detector signal, and the sample weight on the basis of
hot copper is carried out in a second furnace. The formed stored calibration curves.
analysis gases, N2, CO2, H2O and SO2 remain in the carrier gas
stream.

He / Ar
O2

He / Ar Ref.

Combustion / Reduction Separation Detection

simplified functional diagram

5
 Controlled desorption on three columns
allows a very wide dynamic range.

The CHNS elemental analysis is based on the high tem- CO2, H2O and SO2 are specifically adsorbed while pass-
perature combustion and subsequent analysis of the com- ing through the adsorption columns whereas N2 gets to
bustion gases. The quantitative separation of the analyte the detector. After the detection of the N2 peak, the CO2
gases N2, CO2, H2O and SO2 in the carrier gas prior to the de- column is quickly heated up. CO2 is released and detected.
tection is crucial for the performance of the complete in- The temperature increase of the second column desorbs
strument. With vario EL cube Elementar uses a well proven H2O, the third column is specifically meant for SO2.
way for the highest demands. The adsorption of the mea-
suring gases on three separation columns and their con-
trolled desorption allow a very wide dynamic range.

TCD-Signal TCD-Signal CO2 Temp

8000 8000 [°C ]

260
7000 7000 240
220
6000 6000
200
180
5000 5000
160
4000 4000 140
120
3000 3000 100
80
2000 2000
60
40
1000 1000
20
0 0 0
0 100 200 300 400 500 t [s] 0 100 200 300 400 500 t [s]

Peak graphics Sulfanilamide

TCD-Signal H2O Temp TCD-Signal SO2 Temp

6
Each heating step takes place only after completion of pre- The thermally controlled ad- and desorption causes a peak
vious peak detection on the TCD. Thus, a complete peak sharpening and at the same time an enhancement of the
separation is secured - independent from the TCD-Signal
concentra- detection sensitivity. TCD-Signal CO2 Temp
tion ratio, even if large differences in contents e.g. of C and
8000 [°C ]
N are existent. Helium is used as carrier gas for the standard mode.
8000 Argon
can be used as an alternative to helium - to ensure260that
7000 7000 240
The purge & trap chromatography has the advantage that despite the worldwide shortage of the ressource Helium
220
large amounts of organic material of up to 40 mg 6000 carbon samples can always be measured. 6000
200
content as well as large concentration differences of the el-
180
ements can be analyzed. Thus it is unsurpassed without
5000 any 5000
160
cutbacks in the analysis of micro samples.
4000 4000 140
120
Problems of peak overlapping and drift known from gas
3000 3000 100
chromatographic separation do not occur.
80
2000 2000
60
40
1000 1000

The perfect gas separation

0 100 200 300 400 500 t [s]
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 t [s]
0
20
0

TCD-Signal H2O Temp TCD-Signal SO2 Temp

8000 [°C ] 8000 [°C ]

260 260
7000 240 7000 240
220 220
6000 6000
200 200
180 180
5000 5000
160 160
4000 140 4000 140
120 120
3000 100 3000 100
80 80
2000 2000
60 60
40 40
1000 1000
20 20
0 0 0 0
0 100 200 300 400 500 t [s] 0 100 200 300 400 500 t [s]

Peak graphics Sulfanilamide

7
 In our time an analytical instrument can
only be as good as its micro electronics
and software.

8
The Windows based software leaves nothing to be desired in The high performance voltage supply does not require any
terms of functionality, storage capacity, automatic optimi- additional tranformer for 100/110 V mains. The vario EL cube
sation or error diagnosis. Communication with LIMS or data corresponds in all points to the EC low voltage directives
export in MS Excel are also integrated as a standard feature. thus observing the highest possible electrical safety.

Digitalisation in the user‘s interest

Remote control and diagnosis via the internet are a matter The latest 24 bit micro precessor generation guarantees fas-
of course for all instruments from Elementar - just like the test signal processing and the CAN-bus technology derived
safety of the electric data storage according to 21 CFR Part 11 from German automotive engineering guarantees absolute
or the instrument control via PC/laptop. safety in the interanl data communication.

Latest technologies also play a role in the smallest hardware

parts. We only use e.g. high-alloyed steel for corrosion and
heat proof sample feeding, combustion tubes with a very
long lifetime or an extremely accurate harmonic drive as-
sembly.

Main window operation surface instrument software Leak test

9
 Carbon * Hydrogen * Nitrogen * Sulphur*

Sulfanilic Acid
Measurements 5 41.68 ± 0.017 4.04± 0.02 8.05 ± 0.015 18.47 ± 0.05
Weight 5 mg

N-F-dibenzolsulfonimide
Measurements 4 45.46 ± 0.05 3.39 ± 0.02 4.45 ± 0.11 20.38 ± 0.05
Weight 5 mg

Starch
Measurements 4 39.66 ± 0.01 7.078 ± 0.012 0.042 ± 0.003 0.014 ± 0.0038
Weight 35 mg

Wheat
Measurements 6 40.70 ± 0.02 7.149 ± 0.018 1.86 ± 0.01 0.101 ± 0.002
Weight 35 mg

Soil
Measurements 4 0.634 ± 0.017 0.208 ± 0.018 0.019 ± 0.006 0.004 ± 0.0004
Weight 100 mg

Coal
Measurements 4 59.02 ± 0.03 3.37 ± 0.01 1.13 ± 0.02 1.42 ± 0.01
Weight 10 mg

Soy Sauce
Measurements 3 24.80 ± 0.09 6.21 ± 0.03 0.354 ± 0.001 -
Weight 25 mg

Oil
Measurements 6 86.506 ± 0.046 10.531 ± 0.024 0.671 ± 0.041 1.634 ± 0.030
Weight 20 mg

Kerosine (O with IR)

Oxygen*
Measurements 8 - - -
0.351 ± 0.007
Weight 15 mg

PVC (Chlorine)
Chlorine*
Measurements 6 - - -
Weight 25 mg
44.336 ± 0.888

* Element contents in [%] incl. standard deviation in [%]

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The most flexible CHNS analyser

vario EL cube is the most flexible

instrument for the universal elemental
analysis of CHNS, as well as optional
O and Cl.
The applications cover all organic and the majority of inor- The basis for the special detection strength is the high am-
ganic samples of solid or liquid material. Its special strength plifying dynamic of the detector signals, the short gas path-
lies in the sample weight in the lower milligram range re- ways, and the high stability of the gas flow by means of a
garding detection limit, concentration dynamics and the digital mass flow controller directly before the detector.
possibility to also analyse difficult samples e.g. those with
a high fluorine or chlorine content. Therefore, the entire range of applications from organic
chemistry, pharmaceuticals, petrochemical and other in-
A key characteristic is the ability to analyse organic samples dustrial products, to fossil fuels, environmental samples or
up to a weight of 50 mg in the CHNS mode, as well as 1 gram bio material can be handled.
of soil samples.
For particularly inhomogeneous samples which are dif-
This is possible due to the quantitative combustion at a ficult to grind or homogenise, large samples weights are
continuous furnace temperature of up to 1200 °C. Another required. In these cases alternative instruments of the vario
key to the complete combustion of even samples with large family such as the vario MACRO cube or vario MAX cube are
gas generation is the oxygen „jet injection“ via a ceramic available.
lance directly at the place of combustion. Combustion gas-
es which could otherwise insulate further combustion are Long lifetime and sustainability: the lifetime of an elemen-
blown away by the high velocity oxygen jet. tal analyser is very long - we can guarantee it. However,
the requirements for an elemental analyser change over the
Element concentrations of well below 100 ppm to 100% are course of time just like the requirements in the laboratory
detectable with the standard detector (TCD). For even lower may change. Due to a modular construction, the intelligent
detection limits, IR detectors can be employed, e.g. for the design and the various options, vario EL cube is ready for
detection of sulphur down to 2 ppm. the use in your laboratory - no matter what the future may
offer.

11
12
In addition to the standard CHNS Measurement of liquid samples
determination, easy add-on options
by capsule technique, manual injection or automatic
provide the broadest application range liquid sampler (vario LS) for the analysis of liquids for
for the elemental analysis: absolutely gas tight sealing of liquids and capsules. Also
applicable for the analysis of air sensitive samples under
Upgrade kits for oxygen determination intert gas.

using high temperature pyrolysis. Conversion to CO in the Accessories for special applications
presence of carbon, and measurement of CO with standard
TCD, or for special requirements with IR detection. like reaction tubes with a diameter of 14.5 mm for a par-
ticularly small dead volume (e.g. for very small sample
weights), special means for large sample amounts, ac-
cessories and consumables for high fluorine contents.

Adding value systematically

Sulfur measurement with IR detection Software for quality assurance

for the improvement of the detection limit for sulphur to e.g. the safety of electronic data (21 CFR Part 11), analyti-
approx. 2  ppm simultaneously to CHN determination. cal quality assurance (AQS) and instrument validation
Recommended also for samples with a high fluorine con- (IQ, OQ) are available.
tent.
runAr - Helium or Argon as carrier gas
Accessory for chlorine analysis
our answer to the worldwide shortage of helium is the
with absolutely new sensor detection of HCl in the combus- alternative use of budget-priced and easily available
tion gas. This results in a large concentration dynamic range argon as carrier gas. Fast and unproblematic change - and
(patent pending). the analytical results correspond without any doubt to high
requirements.

13
 Analysis method: High temperature combustion or pyrolysis of the sample and conversion of the elements
into gaseous products.

Separation of the analysis gases by purge & trap chromatography at up to

3 specific columns and detection at a TCD (IR optional).

Operating modes: CHNS, CHN, CNS, CN, N, S as standard with TCD,

S with IR detection optional,
O with TCD or IR detection optional,
Cl with electrochemical detection optional

Digestion temperatures: adjustable up to 1200 °C

(by combustion of the tin vessels a temperature of approx. 1800 °C is temporarily reached).

Safety standards: CE-label, EN 61010-1, EMV low voltage directives 73/23/EEC

Calibration: Multi point calibration, regression linear to the 4th order,

different calibrations applicable in one run, stable over months.

Sample weight*: < 1 - 50 mg organic substance or up to 1 g soil sample

Analysis time*: self-optimising, depending on element content and sample weight

* depending on sample kind, analysis mode and options

14
Specification vario EL cube

Autosampler: 80 positions in a magazine as standard

reloadable any time during operation
120 or 60 positions for large samples optional
direct injection of liquid or gaseous samples optional incl. automatic liquid sampler

Carrier gases: He/Ar

Instrument control: Operation and control via PC under Windows®;

All instrument functions are digitally controllable, the comprehensive operation software
includes e.g. automatic leak test, extensive error diagnosis, monitoring of the maintenance
cycles, sleep-/wake up function, statistical evaluation and almost unlimited memory
capacity for analysis data incl. graphics.
Integration in data networks like LIMS and the possibility of remote control and diagnosis
via the internet.
In full compliance with 21 CFR Part 11 (option).

Electrical connections: 100/110/200/230 V, 50/60 Hz, 1,8 kW

Dimensions: 42 × 55 × 55 cm (B × T × H)

Weight: approx. 65 kg

* depending on sample kind, analysis mode and options

15
 Elementar
Analysensysteme GmbH

Donaustraße 7
63452 Hanau (Germany)

Phone: +49 6181 9100-0

Mail: [email protected]

Art. No. 19.00-5204

Agrarian Chemical Fuel Water and Consumables Isotope
Analysis Analysis Analysis Environmental Service Analysis
Analysis