Appendix
TOPwave
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11
Appendix
11.1
Tips and Tricks
11.1.1
Small sample quantity
With the MT or quartz glass inserts small sample quantities <100 mg can be digested in
a reduced acid volume. This also makes it possible to enhance the detection sensitivity
of the entire process.
11.1.2
Multiple samples per vessels
The MT system makes it possible for 2-3 samples to be digested in a single PL 100 or
CX 100 digestion vessel at a reduced original sample weight and acid volume. This
enables the sample throughput and productivity of the TOPwave to be raised.
Cross-contamination from one sample to another is prevented by pre-filling the same
acid mixture into the outer vessel as in the inner vessel. If the acid volume on the outs-
ide is selected so that the liquid level is higher than in the MT vessel, this also guaran-
tees that the sample is heated up gently.
1
Acid in PL 100 / CX 100
2
Acid in MT vessel
3
Sample
11.1.3
Higher sample throughput
The sample throughput can also be increased by removing the vessels from the
TOPwave approximately
5 minutes after completion of the last heating stage and replacing them with new
samples. Therefore no time is wasted on cooling down the samples and idle time in the
microwave is restricted to a minimum.