Abstract A gas generation accessory for an atomic absorption spectrophotometer includes a reaction vessel for holding a sample and an acid. The sample includes an element from a group including arsenic and selenium. A dosing column is coupled to the reaction vessel and a gas-tight stopcock is mounted in the dosing column and includes a cavity for holding a metal such as zinc. The stopcock is rotatable for projecting the metal into the acid to cause a reaction to release hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas in turn reacts with the element in the sample to produce a gaseous hydride. The gaseous hydride is collected in an elastic reservoir and stored under pressure until the completion of the reaction. Thereupon the gaseous hydride in the elastic reservoir is carried into the atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the element appears in a substantial concentration for a relatively short time. This permits the resonance lines of the element to be recorded and the element detected.
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said acid comprises hydrochloric acid and said metal comprises zinc.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A gas generation accessory for an atomic absorption spectrophotometer comprising, in combination: a reaction vessel adapted to contain an acid and a sample to be analyzed; a dosing column coupled to said vessel for introducing a granular metallic reagent into Said vessel; an elastic expansible reservoir coupled in a gas-tight relation to said vessel for collection and storage under pressure of gaseous reaction products generated in the vessel; conduit means for conducting gaseous generation products from said vessel and reservoir to an atomic absorption spectrophotometer; and means for releasing such reaction products after generation thereof from said vessel and expansible reservoir to said conduit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An accessory according to claim 3, wherein said conduit includes an inlet tube for connection to a source of purging gas under pressure and an outlet tube for connection to the spectrophotometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
An accessory, according to claim 4, including: a bypass conduit interconnecting said inlet and outlet tubes and, shunted across the bypass conduit at a location between the bypass conduit and the reaction vessel, multi-position valve means adapted in one position to permit flow through said inlet and outlet tubes into and out of said vessel and, in another position, to restrict flow in said inlet and outlet tubes to said bypass conduit.