Elemental Analysis for Carbon/Sulfur & Oxygen/Nitrogen/Hydrogen

C/S analyzers refers to products that measure Carbon and Sulfur in inorganic materials. Alternative denomination is Elemental Analyzers even if only 2 elements are measured. ISO standards talk about Infrared Absorption Method after combustion. HORIBA uses the acronym EMIA, which stands for Element Material Infrared Analyzer.

O/N/H analyzers refers to products that measure Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Hydrogen in inorganic materials. Depending on the model, 1, 2 or 3 gases are measured.  Alternative denomination is also Elemental Analyzers. ISO standards describe the principle as Inert Gas Fusion Technique. HORIBA uses the acronym EMGA, which stands for Element Material Gas Analyzer.

C/S & O/N/H analyzers measure inorganic solid samples such as small blocks, chips, powders or granulates. The principle of these instruments is to heat the sample to very high temperature to ensure complete combustion and to carry the gases generated to detectors where the elements will be measured. Therefore, EMIA & EMGA combine high performance furnaces and specific detection systems.

For EMIA, a flow of Oxygen is used to carry CO, CO₂ and SO₂ to the detection system while for EMGA a flow of inert gas is used to carry H₂, N₂ and CO (produced with reaction of oxygen with a graphite crucible).

There are 3 different types of furnaces depending on the instrument and the application:

• Resistance furnace (EMIA): The sample is placed into a ceramic boat and slowly heated. This type of furnace allows for precise temperature control. It is preferred to differentiate accurately the element from the surface and from the bulk of the material as it allows for very precise temperature control.
• Induction furnace (EMIA): The sample is introduced into a ceramic crucible, mixed with accelerators to facilitate combustion and heated by induction. If the exact temperature in the crucible is not known with this type of furnace, it remains possible to control the applied current and to adjust it to optimize the method. It is preferred for total carbon measurement and high throughput.
• Impulse furnace (EMGA): The sample is introduced into a graphite crucible that is placed between 2 electrodes. A very high current is generated and maintained to melt the sample and generate gases. The output current of the furnace is monitored and can be automatically optimized to separate surface contamination from bulk content.

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The table below summarizes the principle for each element and instrument.

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Below are synopsis of EMIA and EMGA instruments

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