Automated Digestion System

What is the Automated Digestion System?

An automated digestion system adds acid and applies a heating program to decompose samples for elemental analysis. It replaces manual hotplate work with reproducible, documented heating and better safety, reducing acid vapour exposure.

Overview

The system automates closed or open vessel digestion for trace-element analysis. It dispenses acid by weight or volume, seals vessels where closed digestion is used, and applies a multi-step temperature and pressure program before cooling and venting. Typical parameters are 1–10 mL acid per vessel, temperatures up to 180–240 °C and pressures up to 40–100 bar in closed vessels, with 8–48 vessels per run. Sensors record temperature and pressure for every vessel where available, and the method is stored and repeated precisely. Reagent addition, heating ramps and cooling are logged. The system reduces acid vapour exposure and improves recovery consistency for ICP-MS, ICP-OES and atomic absorption analysis, and it is used in food, environmental, geological and metallurgical laboratories.

How does it work?

An automated sample preparation system performs the steps that normally precede analysis, using robotic motion, precise liquid handling and sensors under software control. A robotic arm or a moving bed picks a sample container, identifies it by barcode, and presents it to modules that weigh, add solvent, mix, heat, centrifuge, filter or extract. Liquid volumes are measured by syringe pump or positive displacement and verified by gravimetric checks, while temperature, time and agitation are controlled by the method. Solid-phase extraction modules condition cartridges, load sample, wash and elute under controlled flow. Digestion modules add acid and apply a heating program. Each step is recorded for traceability, and error handling detects missing containers, low liquid levels and clogs. The result is a prepared sample or extract delivered to a vial for analysis, with a documented chain of actions.

What are the key features?

• Automated acid dispensing by weight or volume
• Programs up to 180–240 °C
• Closed vessels to 40–100 bar
• 8–48 vessels per run
• Per-vessel temperature and pressure sensing
• Method storage and logging

What are the technical specifications?

A typical automated digestion system configuration offers type of Automated digestion system, vessel count of 8–48 per run, acid volume of 1–10 mL per vessel, temperature of Up to 180–240 °C, pressure of Up to 40–100 bar and digestion type of Closed or open vessel. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Automated Digestion System is used in trace-metal digestion, environmental soil and water, food and feed analysis and geological and metallurgical assay. Across the wider Automated Sample Preparation class, laboratories also deploy it for sample preparation for elemental analysis, dissolution sample handling and bioanalytical extraction.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include IEC 61010-1 (safety requirements for electrical equipment), ISO 8655 (piston-operated volumetric apparatus), ISO/IEC 17025 (testing and calibration laboratories), USP <1058> (analytical instrument qualification), 21 CFR Part 11 (electronic records and signatures) and ANSI/SLAS microplate standards. Certification candidates for this model are CE and ISO 9001 manufacturing; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Validate the system for the intended methods, covering accuracy, precision, carry-over and robustness, and repeat validation after major changes. Keep an inventory of consumables, calibrants and check standards, and run system suitability checks before critical batches. Clean and calibrate weighing, liquid handling and heating modules on schedule, and verify tip and probe alignment to avoid partial transfers. Control environmental conditions, since temperature and humidity affect small volumes. Back up methods and data, restrict software access by role, and retain audit trails. Train operators on error messages and recovery, and define what the system may do unattended. Review performance data to detect drift before it affects results.

How do I select the right Automated Digestion System?

Choose closed-vessel automation for volatile elements and low detection limits, and open-vessel for large samples. Confirm temperature, pressure and vessel count. RFQ: matrices, elements, sample mass, acid types, throughput and detection limits. State the analyte list and required detection limits.

How does it compare with other Automated Sample Preparation variants?

Define the preparation steps and the range of sample types first, then choose a system that covers them without custom work. Confirm compatibility with your tubes, plates and vials, because format changes force method rewriting. Check volumetric accuracy and precision at the working volumes, and verify that the weighing module meets the readability your method needs. Review heating, mixing and extraction capabilities against the standard methods you follow, and confirm the software supports method editing, audit trails and LIMS import of sample lists and export of results. Consider throughput, walk-away time and the number of samples per run. Ask about validation packages, carry-over testing and service response, since sample preparation errors propagate into every downstream result.