Sonication
A high energy ultrasonic generator produces an electrical signal at a particular frequency, transforming the electrical signal into mechanical vibration which is transmitted down the length of a Titanium probe.
When the probe is immersed in a liquid sample the rapid (i.e. 20 kHz) vibration of the probe tip causes cavitation - the formation and violent collapse of microscopic bubbles. The collapse of the bubbles releases tremendous energy into the liquid in the form of shock waves.
Particles in or near the cavitation field experience huge sheer forces from the released energy and are broken up.
Automation
Combining a Sonicator with an XYZ auto-sampler also provides an automated way of homogenising samples thus ensuring that each sub-sample aspirated from a vial is representative of the contents of the whole vial.
A tray of vials is placed on the sampler base. Each vial is sonicated for a short period (typically 20 seconds). This will break down particulate to sizes small enough to be held in a homogenous suspension, without settling, for long periods.
The 8100S is a stand-alone sample preparation unit for use prior to measurement. It is housed in an acoustic enclosure and may also be PC controlled for integration
with and as part of a main analysis system (e.g. TOC, TN, AA or ICP).
POC Measurements
An interesting application of this technology is the measurement of POC (particulated organic carbon). Sludge samples are sonicated to provide a homogenous sample. Two sub-samples are then taken, TOC is measured on one sub-sample; the second is filtered and the filtrate is then analysed for TOC. The difference between the two TOC values is the organic carbon content of the particulate fraction.
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AUTOMATED SONICATION
