Discrete Analyzers

SEAL Analytical’s AQ analyzers come standard with a 10 mm quartz flow-through cuvette used for all readings on the system. This material ensures the highest optical purity at detection. As the detector is entirely stationary rather than rotating to different wells, there is no added variance from changes in detector alignment.  Additionally, each sample is analyzed in the same cuvette rather than individual wells, eliminating a critical variable in analysis conditions.

The traveling probe washer, unique to all SEAL discrete analyzers, ensures the sample probe is wiped clean and free of droplets before each sample probe movement. This ensures droplets are not falling off the sample probe into reaction wells, sample cups, reagent containers, etc as the sample probe moves to different locations.  Additionally, it provides extra cleaning to the outside of the probe to further eliminate cross-contamination. The traveling probe washer is accompanied by a stationary wash bath for additional sample probe cleaning between crucial reaction steps.

Most carryover in discrete analysis happens during reaction preparation, but SEAL’s dual washing system described above eliminates this risk. At detection, high-speed water flushes alternating with air thoroughly clean the quartz cuvette, inspired by the proven rinsing method of our continuous flow analyzers.

Yes. Multiple parameters can be defined on the same samples, or different samples during the same run. This is all defined in the accompanying software that allows the analyst to define which parameters are analyzed on which samples.

AQ300: up to 97 sample positions; 18 reagent positions; 180 reaction positions

AQ400: up to 120 sample positions; 26 reagent positions; 216 reaction positions

AQ700: up to 424 sample positions, 24 reagent positions; 848 reaction positions

Yes, all AQ discrete analyzers are equipped with the ability to run Nitrate+Nitrite by cadmium reduction, in addition to other common reduction pathways including hydrazine sulfate, vanadium (III) chloride, and enzymatic reduction. A tubular cadmium coil is fitted in a dedicated loop so only sample and buffer pass through the cadmium coil during the reduction step of a Nitrate+Nitrite test.  All other tests bypass the cadmium coil so that the cadmium coil can always be installed on the system.

Yes, all SEAL discrete analyzers offer auto-dilution capabilities.  Dilutions can be assigned to samples before the run for the analyzer to dilute the samples immediately before analysis.  As an additional option, over-range samples can be flagged by the software for auto-dilution at the end of the run. The software allows for dilution factors and post-run quality control bracketing for dilutions to be customizable by test, ensuring you meet your compliance requirements.