Costech was established in 1990 to cater the needs of scientists, researchers and students involved in Elemental Analysis, alone and coupled with mass spectrometry/isotopic analysis.
While providing the best EA consumables and accessories in the business our real focus has always been on total solutions with complete technical and application support.
Be assured that the Costech team will keep you and your lab running samples and achieving the best results possible. With extensive services established and decades of combined experience, a solution is always at hand.
Costech entered the 21st century with a line of instruments, auto-samplers and accessories ready to meet technology and the industry's expectations. As well, our instrument line is expanding into Microsurface and Biomass technologies, in partnership with our European colleagues, opening doors into new industries and advancing ideas.
Visit Costech Analytical inc.was designed as an advanced analytical platform for CHNSO elemental analysis and Nitrogen / Protein determination. It is based on an automatic analytical unit whose operation - from sampling up to signal detection - is microprocessor controlled. It represents an evolution in the technique of elemental analysis by "flash combustion/chromatographic separation and multi-detector techniques".
Traditionally, automatic instruments for CHNSO elemental analysis have been divided into two groups; micro and macro elemental analysis. Samples for micro EA are easily analyzed by sophisticated automatic instruments using the technique of combustion/gas chromatography.
For the analysis of stable isotopes of CHNSO, a sampling system is required which does not contaminate the sample with atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen, especially working at very low levels. Advanced, highly stable catalysts are required to avoid any material exchange to the combusted gases.
To increase throughput and minimize maintenance time and cost, a simple approach to the design of the analyzer is essential, especially for macro sample analysis where all combustion gases pass through the detector system without splitting or diluting.
The “Zero Blank” autosampler developed by Costech uses a “sealed carousel” design which has several advantages over an “open carousel” autosampler. All samples are purged simultaneously with helium in an enclosed chamber. This eliminates any nitrogen background (from atmosphere) which is introduced in the open carousel sampler when it moves to drop the sample into the reactor. The microstepper motor which drives the autosampler can switch from a 50 position carousel to a 32 position carousel for large or bulky samples.
The sampler consists of two parts; the sampler carousel and the control module. It can be connected to any CE Instruments (formerly Carlo Erba) elemental analyzer using 18 or 20 mm OD combustion reactors. The connection to the analyzer is simple, place the carousel on the combustion reactor and connect the helium carrier gas using the standard 2mm tubing. The purge line can be turned off (except for use with the optional isolation valve) as the carrier gas will now act as the purge for the carousel. A cable connects the carousel to the control module, and an additional wire is connected to the electrovalves (for the standard pneumatic autosampler) which will control the start and stop of the “Zero Blank” sampler. Set the sample start normally, and the sample stop for 1-2 seconds later. This generates a signal which will turn the carousel and drop the sample.
The front controls are; power (on and off), a manual advance button, and a switch to select the 50 or 32 position carousels. On the back is a “jog” switch which is used to initially align the carousel, and that alignment will hold as long as power is maintained.
An optional valve to minimize system changes is available. It replaces the standard drop tube and is the same length. The carrier gas connection is below the valve and a separate purge connection is provided above the valve. When opening the carousel to add samples it is only necessary to turn the valve, isolating the entire carousel section. The carrier gas will continue to flow through the rest of the analytical circuit. After adding samples to the carousel, close the lid, turn on the purge flow and let the carousel purge for 2-5 minutes. Close the purge vent, turn off the purge flow, and open the isolation valve.
Our 150 position (147 actual) pneumatic autosampler has been designed for those applications where high throughput is a necessity. The carousels have large holes (11.5 mm OD) to accommodate large or bulky samples, such as glass fiber filters, which may get stuck in autosamplers with smaller diameter holes. The carousels are open to atmosphere, which means samples can be added continuously while running; only one sample at a time is purged while waiting to be dropped into the combustion furnace. A large viewing port allows you to clearly see the sample combustion during the analysis.
The piston is quickly and easily removed from the autosampler for cleaning or replacement of the sealing o-rings. The o-rings used are a made of a specially compounded material which is both durable and in inexpensive. Under normal operation the o-rings should last 15,000-20,000 samples before replacement is necessary.
The autosampler is driven by gas, usually dry air, at 2-2.5 Bar of pressure. The large air cylinder which actuates the piston is efficient and powerful, and can easily drive the autosampler with all three carousels mounted. Large indexing and cam stop springs allow the autosampler to maintain a constant alignment. For smooth operation with multiple carousels, the bottoms have been coated with a special material which helps to minimize friction between them.
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