vario ISOTOPE cube
Derived from the world's most successful elemental analyzer vario EL cube, the dedicated vario ISOTOPE cube in combination with Isoprime IRMS is the most versatile system for stable isotope applications. Basis is the largest tradition in elemental analysis and IRMS instrumentation. The vario ISOTOPE cube is a newly developed premium product for the special needs of continuous flow IRMS which considerably increases the performance of the analyses.
The patented technology using purge & trap chromatography and online reduction of water to H/D allows CHNS/CNS analysis from just one sample with specifications of single element analysis, as such it is, in combination with a gold-standard IRMS from Isoprime, the worldwide first and only instrument combination of an elemental analyzer coupled with a mass spectrometer for the simultaneous analysis of the isotope ratios of CHNS. With a large weighing range for the samples and a large concentration range of the elements, the vario ISOTOPE cube is the technology-leading elemental analyzer for isotope ratio analysis, in particular for food, plant material or soil samples.
Equipped with a special backflush mechanism, the vario ISOTOPE cube allows the measurement of oxygen isotopes in organic samples at 1150 °C with full separation of nitrogen and carbon monoxide using our special purge & trap technology. The purge&trap technology also allows unrivalled sulfur analysis capabilities due to the peak focussing and separation capabilities of the element-specific traps.
High temperature combustion unit
quantitative sample digestion at 1200 °C (up to 1800 °C at the point of combustion when tin foil is used) - with ten years furnace warranty. This is the prerequisite for 100% recovery also for samples difficult to combust. Jet injection of oxygen directly to the sample leads to highest oxygen concentrations at the point of combustion and low gas consumption.
Largest weighing range
from micro (<1 mg) to semi-macro (800 mg soil) sample weight, depending on requirements up to 60 mg organic matter
Largest dynamic range of element concentrations and element ratio
up to 30 mg C abs. or 15 mg N abs. (or 100%), from ppm to 100%
Purge&trap Chromatography
Separation of gaseous components on up to three specific columns for perfect separation without peak overlap and automatic optimization of the analysis time. A peak separation to the baseline e.g. for CO2 and N2 can be reached even with a concentration ratio of 5000:1.
Backflush technology
Specifically equipped with novel backflush technology for perfect nitrogen-carbon monoxide separation for the pyrolysis of oxygen.
Instrument control
with a standard PC for perfect results also for unknown or heavily variable sample matrices with integrated sample feeder for 80 samples. Possibility for remote service due to full digitalization of the instrument electronics.
One basic instrument for all applications
No expensive special catalysts, easy ash removal from the combustion tube and long lifetime of all components are the basis for a low cost of ownership.
Clean, safe, fast
The analysis only takes a few minutes, no aggressive or toxic chemicals are used, Helium carrier gas
Easy installation requirements
48 x 55 cm benchtop space, 1 power supply (230, 110, 100 V), and two gases are sufficient for maintenance free long time operation
Isotope analysis
For more information about stable isotope analysis, please visit the Isoprime website www.isoprime.co.uk.
