Closed vessels microwave dissolution

Closed-vessel microwave dissolution Closed-vessel microwave dissolution utilizes several types of microwave digestion vessels designed for heating of liquids under pressures usually from 200 up to 1500psi (100 bar). 

R. Garcia and B. Kahn, Total Dissolution of Environmental and Biological Samples by Closed-Vessel Microwave Digestion for Radiometric Analysis, J. Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 250, 85-91 (2001). 

E. J. Gawalko, T. W. Nowicki, J. Babb, R. Tkachuk, Comparison of closed-vessel and focused open-vessel microwave dissolution for determination of cadmium, copper,... 

E. J. Gawalko, T. W. Nowicki, J. Babb, R. Tkachuk, Comparison of closed-vessel and focused open-vessel microwave dissolution for determination of cadmium, copper, lead, and selenium in wheat, wheat products, corn bran, and rice flour by transverse-heated graphite furnace atom, Int. J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem., 80 (1997), 379-387. 

Garcia, R. and Kahn, B. 2001. Total dissolution of environmental and biological samples for radiometric analysis by closed-vessel microwave digestion. J Radiological Nucl Chem 250, 85-91. 

Both microwave closed-vessel dissolution and laboratory robotics are relatively new to the analytical laboratory. However, it is this marriage of new methods which provides useful combinations of flexible laboratory automation to meet a variety of individualized needs. Because of the large number of biological samples which are prepared for analysis each day, it is reasonable to assume that this type of innovative automation wiU be of great benefit. It should be evaluated for its ability to improve the preparation technology for trace element analysis of biological materials. 

The advantages of microwave dissolution include fester digestion that results from the high temperature and pressure attained inside the sealed containers. The use of closed vessels also makes it possible to eliminate uncontrolled trace element losses of volatile species that are present in a sample or that are formed during sample dissolution. It is well known that significant amounts of elements such as arsenic, boron, chromium, mercury, antimony, selenium, and tin are lost at relative mild temperature with some open vessel acid dissolution procedures [8,9]. Another advantage of microwave dissolution is to have better control of potential contamination in blank as compared to open vessel procedures. This is due to less contamination from laboratory environment, unclean containers, and smaller quantity of reagents used. 

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