When and Why Are Trace Elements Measured?

Elements are measured for a variety of reasons. Environmental monitoring is one of the most common applications, where heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic can be harmful to both humans and ecosystems. Monitoring soil, water, and plant samples helps detect contamination early. Additionally, even common elements like carbon, hydrogen, and sulfur can be important indicators of climate change when their concentrations shift.

I like that I can make a small contribution to a clean and safe world by enabling more data to be collected on pollution levels, in combination with analysis devices manufactured by others.

Pharmaceutical companies also increasingly rely on TEA to ensure product purity and compliance. With so many potential applications, precise and reliable flow control becomes crucial. That’s why we often work closely with customers to recommend and optimize flow solutions tailored to their specific needs. Our range of products allows us to address a wide variety of requirements efficiently.

What Is the Role of a Flow Controller During Analysis?

During elemental analysis, the sample is first separated into its components and then detected. A carrier gas is used to transport these components through the system. Additional gases may be introduced to facilitate chemical or physical reactions, helping identify the elements being measured. The purity of these gases is essential, as the elements of interest are often present in very low concentrations.

Flow controllers and meters must be highly accurate and reproducible. This ensures that the results are not only correct but also consistent across multiple tests. Whether it's in a lab or a remote location, reliability is key to producing trustworthy data.

What Are the Specific Needs and Requirements?

Flow meter and controller requirements vary significantly depending on the analysis device. Factors such as the device’s design, signal processing, control system, and power supply all play a role in selecting the right solution. Price is also an important consideration for many customers.

Because our engineers collaborate closely with those of our customers, we’re able to achieve excellent results together.

Bronkhorst flow controllers already offer self-diagnosis features to monitor the condition of the instrument. We are also exploring ways to provide predictive maintenance, such as analyzing valve tension to anticipate potential issues.

Currently, I’m working on understanding the specific needs of pharmaceutical companies related to trace element measurement. I’d love to hear from readers who have insights or questions on this topic!