NANOCOLOR UV /VIS & VIS

Transcription

1 MACHEREY-NAGEL EN ISO 9001: 2008 CERTIFIED NANOCOLOR UV /VIS & VIS Bedienungsanleitung Manual NANOCOLOR Spektralphotometer NANOCOLOR Spectrophotometers MACHEREY-NAGEL GmbH & Co. KG Neumann-Neander-Str Düren Germany Germany and international: Switzerland: MACHEREY-NAGEL AG France: MACHEREY-NAGEL EURL Tel.: Tel.: Tel.: Fax: Fax: Fax: info@mn-net.com sales-ch@mn-net.com sales-fr@mn-net.com

2 CONTENTS 1 Quality control Technical data Disposal in accordance with EU Directive 2002/96/CE Instrument construction Light sources and lamp replacement Interfaces Data transfer System update Barcode Safety precautions 12 2 Operating instructions Turning on the instrument Self-test Touch screen display Alphanumeric keypad General test selection 15 3 Using barcoded test tubes Operation via Methods Selection of special methods Selection of pre-programmed special methods Manual test selection Standard tests Selecting a test using the MN test lists Scan mode Photometric functions Basics of photometry Factor Standard Absorbance Kinetics Transmission Turbidity Automatic turbidity measurement for tube tests NTU check Select a test using favorites Favorites 37 5 Menu Settings Language Date / time Memory Reaction time Interface Lamp control 41 3

3 5.1.7 Sound Remember place Adding a new user IQC System System info System check System reset Zero calibration Turbidity calibration Memory management Display memory Search memory Export memory Delete memory Programming Programming user-defined special methods Single wavelength measurement Multi-wavelength measurement Scan Kinetics Editing user-defined special methods Deleting user-defined special methods Favorites list 58 6 Preparation of samples Crack Set NANOCOLOR NanOx Metal NANOCOLOR NanOx N 63 7 Procedures for colored or turbid samples Determination of correction values for NANOCOLOR tube tests Determination of correction values for NANOCOLOR standard tests with reagent blank value Determination of correction values for NANOCOLOR standard tests with sample blank value 68 4

4 1 Quality control NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers are micro-processor controlled, compact spectrophotometers which include an extensive software package. Pre-programmed NANOCOLOR analysis methods and special methods as well as the option to freely program user-defined applications make NANOCOLOR spectrophotometer high performance instruments both for routine analytics and variable applications. NANOCOLOR spectrophotometer feature additional measurements programs, such as extinction, transmission, factor, standard, mulit-wavelength measurements, kinetics for time independent measurements and scans to record spectra. All these functions and programs allow NANOCOLOR spectrophotometer to be used in almost any application within water and waste water analysis, various industries, science laboratories, etc. Using the spectrophotometers is particularly easy due to the intuitive user guidance in many different languages and the colored and backlit touch screen. High quality optical components ensure quick and precise wavelength adjustments as well as a long lifetime and guarantee exact results even at high extinctions. 5

5 1.1 Technical data Instrument NANOCOLOR UV /VIS NANOCOLOR VIS Manufacturer MACHEREY-NAGEL GmbH & Co. KG Type spectrophotometer with reference detector technology (RDT) Light sources halogen lamp (visible range) and halogen lamp deuterium lamp (UV range) Optical system monochromator Wavelength range nm nm Wavelength accuracy ± 1 nm Wavelength resolution 0.3 nm Wavelength calibration automatic Wavelength selection automatic, barcode Scan speed 900 nm / < min; 1 complete scan / < min Spectral bandwidth < 4 nm Photometric range ± 3.0 E in the wavelength range nm ± 3.0 E in the wavelength range nm Photometric accuracy E at E 1 % at E Photometric linearity < 0.5 % at 2 E 1 % at > 2 E Light scatter at 340nm < 0.1 % < 0.5 % Measurement modes more than 150 pre-programmed tests and special methods, 100 optionally programmable methods, absorbance, transmission, factor, kinetics, 2-point calibration Test vessel slot test tubes 14 mm ID, rectangular cuvettes 2, 10, 20, 40, 50 mm Data memory 1000 measured value data sets, GLP conformity Display colored LCD touch screen with background lighting Operation barcode technology, display menu assistance Languages DE / EN / FR / ES / IT / PT / NL / PL / HU / CZ External light non-sensitive, open universal cuvette slot Interfaces USB and bidirectional serial RS 232 Update via Internet and USB-stick Operating range C, max. 80 % relative humidity (without condensation) Power supply V, 50/60 Hz 12 V DC / 2.0 A Dimensions L / W / H 390 / 285 / 155 mm 325 / 215 / 115 mm Weight 6.5 kg 2 kg Warranty 2 years These devices comply with the following directives: /95/EC - Low-Voltage Directive /108/EC - EMC Directive - EN

6 1.2 Scope of supply Instrument Mains cable Manual Quick reference guide Software-DVD USB-stick USB-cable A/B Serial interface cable, 9/9 pole (only NANOCOLOR UV /VIS) Dust protection cover Calibration cuvette Certificate Microfiber cloth Keep the original box and packaging material from the initial shipment to optimally protect the instrument in case of a return-shipment. 1.3 Disposal in accordance with EU Directive 2002/96/CE In compliance with local and national legal regulations (EU Directive 2002/96/CE), the MACHEREY-NAGEL company disposes old instrument free of charge. Note: With effect from August 2005, disposal using public waste disposal facilities is no longer permitted. In the case of disposal, please contact your MACHEREY-NAGEL representative. 7

7 COM DC 12 V 1.4 Instrument construction Colored and illuminated LCD touch screen Cuvette slot with automatic cuvette recognition Barcode scanner Lamp cover with halogen and deuterium lamp Main switch connection for power supply RS 232 interface for printer and data transfer USB interfaces for data transfer and update, additional USB interface on the left side of the instrument Fan

8 1.5 Light sources and lamp replacement A halogen lamp provides the light for measurements from 340 to 1100 nm. With each standard measurement, the lamp emits a short pulse of light. This results in a very low consumption of energy and a long service life of the lamp. Note: In scan mode, the lamp is energized for the period (incidence) of the scan. A deuterium lamp (only NANOCOLOR UV /VIS) provides light for measurements in the range nm (400 nm). The lamp incorporates an Auto-Off function which saves energy and thus, extends the life time of the lamp. You can check/adjust the deuterium lamp s total operation time in the Lamp control menu. Lamp replacement NANOCOLOR UV /VIS Disconnect the instrument from the main supply. Remove the cover on the lamp housing by lightly pressing the cover at the back edge in a forward direction. Then, lift the cover from the housing. The lamp is now accessible and can be replaced with a new lamp. Gently pull the old lamp from its socket, release the retaining screws and remove the lamp upwards. Inserting a new lamp is done in reverse sequence. CAUTION: Do not touch the body of the lamp. In the menu item "Lamp control", set the firing time to zero after replacing the lamp. After replacing the deuterium lamp, change the deuterium lamp s operation time to zero Lamp replacement NANOCOLOR VIS Disconnect the instrument from the power supply. Place the instrument on a soft surface with the reverse side facing upwards. Open the lamp cover on the bottom side. Gently pull the plug from the circuit board. Loosen the screws that hold the circuit board in place and take the circuit board from its guiding. Insert a new circuit board into the guiding and tighten with the respective screws. Push the plug onto the contacts. Insert the lamp cover. 1.6 Interfaces 2 x interfaces USB type A, 1 x USB type B, for data transfer and update RS 232 C interface for a suitable printer and data transfer The transfer rate can be specified in the menu "Interfaces". Basic setting is: baud, no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no protocol (19200, N81) 9

9 1.7 Data transfer You can connect NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers to a computer. Two interfaces are available for data transfer; USB Port (type B) RS-232 For connection to a PC, use either a USB cable (connector A / connector B, REF ) or a serial interface cable (9/9 pole, REF ). There are two options for the instrument to communicate with a computer: PC-Software for NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers The easiest way is to use the PC-Software for NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers, which is supplied together with the photometer. The software allows the transfer of data to Microsoft EXCEL spreadsheets. It is also possible to sort the data and export data to a database system. You can also record, process, analyze and print wavelength scans. Special methods can be managed and created both with the software and directly within the photometer. The software manual is on a DVD which comes with the photometer as a pdf-file. For more information, go to: Terminal software Any standard terminal software can be used, e.g. Hyper Terminal which is a program supplied with Windows. For serial data transfer between the terminal program and photometer, the transfer properties of computer and photometer must match. The default settings of the NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers are baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, no protocol. This configuration must be set both in the photometer and the terminal software. To transfer the data from the memory, the terminal software must be set to Receive. Then switch on the photometer, set the transfer properties and open the memory management. Select the data for output. Press Memory Export Send to initiate the transfer. Online measurement If you perform measurements while the instrument is connected to a PC, results are transferred directly to the computer via the interfaces, once the cuvette is removed. 10

10 1.8 System update Save all relevant data and user-defined special methods using the PC-software for NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers prior to performing a system update. To perform a system update, the current program file has to be transferred to a USB-stick. The latest system update version can be found online at Note: The update file has to be saved in the first folder-level on the USB-stick. The instrument does not scan sub-folders. Plug the USB-stick with the update file into one of the instrument's USB-ports. The instrument has to be turned off. Turn on the instrument, it will ask if you want to perform the update. Confirm your choice by pressing. Once the update has been completed successfully, the photometer performs a self-test. During the self-test the lamp and wavelength settings are checked and a zero adjustment is performed. After the self-test has been completed, the display shows the method-mode and the photometer is ready for use. The method mode can be accessed at any time by pressing If the self-test shows an anomaly, the photometer has to be calibrated. 11

11 1.9 Barcode NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers include the process characteristics of all NANOCOLOR analysis methods. If a barcoded test tube is inserted, the selection of the test method and suitable wavelength, the actual measurement and storage of the measurement results are carried out automatically without pressing any other button. The use of barcoded test tubes simplifies the measurements and minimizes the risk of errors. The barcode scanner is activated when the test tube is inserted. Insert the barcoded test tube into the photometer so that the scanner beam strikes the barcode. A specific method can also be selected with the method mode. Advice: You have the option to connect the NANOCOLOR tube test barcode to an user defined special method. In case such a connection exists, this user defined special method will be selected instead of the NANOCOLOR test method, if the tube is inserted into the device. The measurement of a zero will be required in this case (see chapter Selection of user-defined special methods, page 22). WARNING: The barcode scanner is a class 1 laser product. While scanning is in progress, do not look directly into the scanner Safety precautions Carefully read all the operating instructions before unpacking and operating the instrument. The operating instructions contain all necessary details to ensure an easy and convenient operation of the instrument during its lifetime. Pay particular attention to the safety precautions. Electrical safety The NANOCOLOR UV /VIS is fitted with a two-pole plug with earthing contact to minimize the risk of an electric shock. Ensure that the mains outlet used is connected correctly and properly earthed. Any photometer maintenance that requires removing covers or metal sheets can expose parts that may cause electrical shock or injuries. The NANOCOLOR VIS features an external 12 V power supply. Chemical and biological safety When working with chemical tests, standards and samples pay careful attention to the safety instructions in the respective instruction leaflets. Lamp safety The lamps are directly connected to the photometer s power supply and become quite warm during operation. Before exchanging a lamp or any other maintenance, allow the lamp to cool for at least 30 minutes and disconnect the photometer from the power supply. 12

12 2 Operating instructions 2.1 Turning on the instrument Remove the spectrophotometer and all accessories from the package. Place the spectrophotometer on a dry and level surface. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Operating temperature should be room temperature. Connect the spectrophotometer to the power supply and turn on the photometer with the main switch on the back of the instrument. 2.2 Self-test After being turned on, the photometer performs a self test. The lamps and wavelength settings are checked, followed by a zero measurement. After completing the self-test, the photometer starts in the method mode. When operating the photometer, you can always get back to the method mode by pressing. 2.3 Touch screen display NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers are equipped with an illuminated colored touch screen display. Familiarize yourself with the functions of the touch screen by pressing individual buttons with your finger or a special pen. Using a special pen is a particularly precise method to use the touch screen. All entries are made by pressing buttons on the touch screen. You can use scroll arrows to browse through lists with multiple entries. In such lists, activated entries are highlighted. Choose an entry by pressing. Do not use any sharp or pointed instruments to operate the touch screen. Clean the touch screen display with a microfibre cloth. If the NANOCOLOR PC-software is used, the instrument s touch screen is locked. 13

13 2.4 Alphanumeric keypad Whenever an entry is necessary, NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers display an alphanumeric keypad to enter information (e.g. sample number, sample place, user, dilution, programming, etc.). Insert a space, underline, dot and slash Enter numbers to Enter upper case letters to Enter lower case letters / / Change between upper case letters, lower case letters and numbers Escape Confirm Delete the last entry 14

14 2.5 General test selection The characteristics of all NANOCOLOR tests are stored in the NANOCOLOR spectrophotometer (parameter; factor; blank value; dimension; measurement range depending on the cuvette; wavelength; reaction time; linearity of the calibration curve; measurement direction). After switching on the photometer, there are various ways of selecting the programmed NANOCOLOR methods: Insert a barcoded test tube (see chapter 3 Using barcoded test tubes, page 16) Enter a test number (see chapter 4.2 Manual test selection, page 24) Select a test from a list containing MACHEREY-NAGEL tube tests, standard tests and bio tests (see chapter 4.3 Selecting a test using the MN test lists, page 28) Select a test from a list of pre-programmed special methods (see chapter Selection of user-defined special methods, page 22) Several methods include sub-methods, which refer to cuvette size, measurement range, dimension and wavelength. To change the sub-method after a measurement has been completed, press Options and then sub-method. The last sub-method used is stored for the next measurement. In addition to the programmed NANOCOLOR tests and pre-programmed special methods, numerous other measurements can easily be run on the NANOCOLOR spectrophotometer. Special method (see chapter Selection of pre-programmed special methods, page 22) Scan (see chapter 4.4 Scan mode, page 28) Basic functions (factor, standard, absorbance, kinetics, transmission and nephelometric turbidity measurement) (see chapter 4.5 Photometric functions, page 31) Favorite test from a favorites list (see chapter 4.6 Select a test using favorites, page 37) 15

15 3 Using barcoded test tubes Parameters required: e.g. Ammonium 3, Test Set the photometer to the method mode. 2. Insert a barcoded test tube into the photometer. Test number, test name and the wavelength are displayed. 3. The wavelength is adjusted automatically, the sample is measured and the result is displayed. The display shows immediately if a test is out of the measuring range or if any other errors occur. Sample Info After a measurement has been completed, the buttons and appear in the right side of the display. The lower section of the display shows a menu bar to enter a specific sample number, sample place, the user and possible dilution. Any entries are displayed immediately. To modify the sub-method, press in the top menu bar and then press Submethod. In the same menu, you can specify a correction value and the test can be transferred to the favorites list. Press to display the measurement s absorbance. Press to display the % range. The button allows you to display the % bar, which indicates if the result falls within % of the test s measuring range. If is displayed in the bottom right corner of the screen, the memory function is active (see chapter Memory, page 40). An active memory function stores all results to the instrument memory once the test tube is removed. 16

16 Entering sample information Press Sample Info to enter more information about the sample. The keypad appears and the sample number can be entered as a 4-digit number. After entering the number, confirm with. A pop-up appears allowing you to enter more information concerning the sample. Select the respective information using and and press to enter information. Methods Options Sample info Sampling date: Sampling time: 00:00 Sampler: SampleID: 1 Sample type: Sampling date Enter the sampling date via the key pad. First you can specify the year, then the month and then the day. By default, the date one day before the measurement is used. The date is only adopted in case you enter additional information. Sampling time Enter the sampling time via the key pad. First you can specify the hour, then the minutes. Sampler A list appears which includes all previously defined samplers together with empty positions to enter new samplers. Empty positions for new samplers are marked with a. Use the arrows to browse through the list. Press to select a highlighted entry. If you select a highlighted entry with, the keypad appears to enter a new or change an existing sampler. Information with a maximum of 10 characters can be assigned to each sampler. The list can include up to 20 different entries for samplers. Sample ID The key pad appears, you can enter the sample number with up to 4 digits. Enter the sample number and confirm with. Sample type A list appears which includes all previously defined sample types together with empty positions to enter new ones. Empty positions for new sample types are marked with a. Use the arrows to browse through the list. Press to select a highlighted entry. If you select a highlighted entry with, the keypad appears to enter a new or change an existing sample type. Information with a maximum of 10 characters can be assigned to each sample type. The list can include up to 20 different entries for sample types. 17

17 Entering a sample place Press Sample place to enter a sample place. A list appears, which includes all previously defined samples places together with empty positions to enter new places. Empty positions for new samples places are marked with Use the arrows to browse through the list. Press to select a highlighted entry. If you select a highlighted entry with, the keypad appears to enter a new or change an existing samples place. Information with a maximum of 12 characters can be assigned to each sample place. The list can include up to 50 different entries for samples places. Alternatively, you can assign a sample place directly to a sample using the NANOCOLOR USB bar code scanner (REF ). Any sample place entered with a bar code scanner will be saved with the respective result, but not in the list of sample places. You can find operating instructions for the NANOCOLOR USB bar code scanner in the respective customer information document. Entering a user Press User to enter a user. A list appears which includes all previously defined users together with empty positions to enter new users. Empty positions for new users are marked with a. Use the arrows to browse through the list. Press to select a highlighted entry. If you select a highlighted entry with, the keypad appears to enter a new or change an existing user. Information with a maximum of 10 characters can be assigned to each user. The list can include up to 20 different entries for users. Entering the dilution Press to enter a dilution. The keypad is opened and the dilution can be entered as a 3-digit number, e.g. 1+ x and confirmed with. A dilution of 1:100 is entered as The entry is converted and automatically displayed. Maximum dilution: 1:1000, i.e Changing the sub-method Press Submethod to change the submethod. A list is displayed with the sub-methods programmed for the test. Select the sub-method required with and and confirm with. The modified result is shown automatically in the display. 18

18 Automatic correction value adjustment Press Correction value to use the automatic correction value adjustment. Turbid or colored samples require the use of a correction value. This option activates the correction value program after an analysis of samples with particular color or turbidity. The test tube with the correction value (see chapter 7 Procedures for colored or turbid samples, page 64) has to be inserted and measured. The corrected result of this measurement is displayed. Transferring a test to the favorites list Press Favorites to transfer a test to the favorites list. The current test is transferred to the favorites list. See chapter 5.6 on how to delete a test from the favorites list. Display absorbance Press to display the absorbance. The absorbance associated with the measurement result is shown in the display. Deactivate the function in the same way. Display % range Press to display the % range. Compliance to the % measurement range (according to DWA-A 704 standards) is shown in the display. Deactivate the function in the same way. Measuring a standard Press to measure a standard using the IQC function. According to DWA A 704 Card 4, each user is obliged to measure a standard after 10 samples or at least once a month. After measuring the standard, you can save the result as a standard measurement and thus document the value. Press, while the cuvette is still in the photometer. 19

19 A new entry field appears to enter the parameters of your standard. Sample Info Concentration of standard [mg/l] Confidence range of standard [±mg/l] LOT of test LOT of standard Press to confirm. The data and the result are saved once you remove the cuvette from the photometer. Entering the LOT information is mandatory. You can only confirm with, if information has been entered into all fields. The photometer always checks if the result is within the specified confidence interval. If the IQC monitoring is activated, the counter is reset to zero. 20

20 4 Operation via Methods Set the photometer to the method mode. Once you press various tests and methods can be activated: Specific methods from special methods lists Programmed tests via the test number MACHEREY-NAGEL tube tests, standard tests and bio tests from relevant lists A scan function Basic functions such as factor, standard, absorbance, kinetics, transmission and turbidity measurement Favorites from a favorite list 21

21 4.1 Selection of special methods NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers offer the possibility to select pre-programmed as well as user-defined special methods Selection of user-defined special methods NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers offer the possibility to program up to 100 user-defined methods. These methods are either linear (factor) or non-linear methods (up to 4th degree functions). To program special methods see chapter 5.5 Programming, page 53. Single or multi-wavelength measurements, scans and kinetics, can be programmed as special methods. Press, a list with the pre-programmed special methods appears. Select a method with and and confirm with. The special method is executed and the wavelength is selected automatically. Alternatively the user defined special method can be linked to a NANOCOLOR tube test barcode (see chapter Programming user-defined special methods, page 54). Inserting the corresponding NANOCOLOR tube test will call up the user defined special method instead of the original MACHEREY-NAGEL method. After method call up via the list or the linked barcode proceed with the measurement of the zero value and the sample as instructed on the display Selection of pre-programmed special methods NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers offer a wide range of pre-programmed special methods, which is being extended continuously. Press, a list with the pre-programmed special methods appears. Select the a method with and and confirm with. The special method is executed and the wavelength is selected automatically. Measure the zero value and the sample according to the instructions in the display. Depending on the special method, additional relevant options are available. These options include entering a sample number, a sample place, the user and the dilution, changing the sub-method, an automatic correction value adjustment, transferring a special method to the favorites list and displaying the absorbance and the % range. 22

22 In the following, you can find a list of the special methods that are preprogrammed into the photometers. If you have questions concerning running and performing these methods, please contact MACHEREY-NAGEL directly. Please note that some of the methods listed here are run in the UV range. Therefore these methods can only be run on the NANOCOLOR UV /VIS (see *). Test Test name nm Cuvette (mm) Short description Pre-programmed special methods for various applications 3-01* SAC 254 nm Spectral absorption coefficient 3-02 SAC 436 nm Spectral absorption coefficient 3-03* Nitrate UV 2 mm (quartz) Nitrate measurement without reagents in the UV range 3-04* Nitrate UV 10 mm (quartz) Nitrate measurement without reagents in the UV range 3-05 Turbidity 860 FAU Turbidity measurement at 860 nm 3-06 Turbidity 550 FAU Turbidity measurement at 550 nm 3-07 Turbidity 860 NTU Turbidity measurement at 860 nm 3-08 Color 3WL 436 / 525 / DIN procedure as spectral absorption coefficient / Hazen color 3-09 ICUMSA 50 Brix / 20 / 50 Attenuation index, determined under defined conditions. According to ICUMSA the color is measured at 420 nm and given in ICUMSA units (IU) TSS Total suspended solids measurement at 860 nm Pre-programmed special methods for brewery analysis according to MEBAK 3-40 α-acids Photometric determination of α-acids 3-41 Anthocyanogens Determination of anthocyanogens 3-42 Beer color Determination of beer color 3-43* Bitter units wort (quartz) Determination of bitter units in wort 3-44* Bitter units beer (quartz) Determination of bitter units in beer 3-45 Total carotenoids fraction I IV Determination of the total carotenoids fraction 1 4 in beer 3-46 Total carotenoids in Photometric determination of the total carotenoids carrot juice in carrot juice 3-47 Total polyphenols Photometric determination of the total polyphenols 3-48 Copper Cuprethol Determination of copper cuprethol 3-49 Nickel Determination of nickel 3-50 Thiobarbituric acid value Determination of the thiobarbituric acid value (TBA value) 3-51 Vicinal Diketones* (quartz) Determination of vicinal diketones 3-60 Turbidity EBC Photometric determination of turbidity in EBC units * on NANOCOLOR UV /VIS only 23

23 4.2 Manual test selection It is possible to select a test by entering the test number: tube tests (0-XX), standard tests (1-XX), bio tests (8-XX), user defined special methods (2-XX), pre-programmed special methods (3-xx) and basic functions (9-XX). Press to manually select a test. The keypad appears. Enter the test number and confirm with. The test is selected and the wavelength is adjusted automatically. Measure the zero value and / or the sample according to the instructions in the display. Advice: In case a NANOCOLOR Test barcode is linked to a user defined special method (see chapter Programming user-defined special methods, page 54). the call up of the respective NANOCOLOR test via its test number remains unaffected Standard tests Required parameter: e.g. Nitrite, Test Set the photometer to the methods selection mode. 2. Press, the keypad appears. Enter test number 167 and confirm with. Test number, test name and wavelength are displayed. The wavelength is adjusted automatically. 24

24 3. Insert the blank value of the standard test into the photometer. Press to start the measurement (use the same size cuvette as for the sample, e.g. 10 mm). 4. Insert the rectangular cuvette with the sample solution into the photometer. Press to initiate the measurement. The result is displayed. The display shows immediately if a test is out of the measuring range or if any other errors occur. 5. If measurements of other standard tests are necessary, they will be numbered in sequence. Sample Info The lower section of the display shows a menu bar to enter a specific sample number, sample place, the user and possible dilution. Any entries are displayed immediately. To modify the sub-method, press in the top menu bar and then press Submethod. In the same menu, you can specify a correction value and the test can be transferred to the favorites list. Press to display the measurement s absorbance. Press to display the % range. The button allows you to display the % bar, which indicates if the result falls within % of the test s measuring range. If is displayed in the bottom right corner of the screen, the memory function is active (see chapter Memory, page 40). An active memory function stores all results to the instrument memory once the cuvette is removed. 25

25 Entering sample information Press Sample Info to enter more information about the sample. The keypad appears and the sample number can be entered as a 4-digit number. After entering the number, confirm with. A pop-up appears allowing you to enter more information concerning the sample. Select the respective information using and and press to enter information. Methods Options Sample info Sampling date: Sampling time: 00:00 Sampler: SampleID: 1 Sample type: Sampling date Enter the sampling date via the key pad. First you can specify the year, then the month and then the day. By default, the date one day before the measurement is used. The date is only adopted in case you enter additional information. Sampling time Enter the sampling time via the key pad. First you can specify the hour, then the minutes. Sampler A list appears which includes all previously defined samplers together with empty positions to enter new samplers. Empty positions for new samplers are marked with a. Use the arrows to browse through the list. Press to select a highlighted entry. If you select a highlighted entry with, the keypad appears to enter a new or change an existing sampler. Information with a maximum of 10 characters can be assigned to each sampler. The list can include up to 20 different entries for samplers. Sample ID The key pad appears, you can enter the sample number with up to 4 digits. Enter the sample number and confirm with. Sample type A list appears which includes all previously defined sample types together with empty positions to enter new ones. Empty positions for new sample types are marked with a. Use the arrows to browse through the list. Press to select a highlighted entry. If you select a highlighted entry with, the keypad appears to enter a new or change an existing sample type. Information with a maximum of 10 characters can be assigned to each sample type. The list can include up to 20 different entries for sample types. 26

26 Entering a sample number Press Sample Info to enter a sample number. The keypad appears and the sample number can be entered as a 4-digit number. After entering the number, confirm with. Entering a sample place Press Sample place to enter a sample place. A list appears, which includes all previously defined samples places together with empty positions to enter new places. Empty positions for new samples places are marked with Use the arrows to browse through the list. Press to select a highlighted entry. If you select a highlighted entry with, the keypad appears to enter a new or change an existing samples place. Information with a maximum of 12 characters can be assigned to each sample place. The list can include up to 50 different entries for samples places. Alternatively, you can assign a sample place directly to a sample using the NANOCOLOR USB bar code scanner (REF ). Any sample place entered with a bar code scanner will be saved with the respective result, but not in the list of sample places. You can find operating instructions for the NANOCOLOR USB bar code scanner in the respective customer information document. Entering a user Press User to enter a user. A list appears which includes all previously defined users together with empty positions to enter new users. Empty positions for new users are marked with a. Use the arrows to browse through the list. Press to select a highlighted entry. If you select a highlighted entry with, the keypad appears to enter a new or change an existing user. Information with a maximum of 10 characters can be assigned to each user. The list can include up to 20 different entries for users. Entering the dilution Press to enter a dilution. The keypad is opened and the dilution can be entered as a 3-digit number, e.g. 1+ x and confirmed with. A dilution of 1:100 is entered as The entry is converted and automatically displayed. Maximum dilution: 1:1000, i.e Changing the sub-method Press Submethod to change the submethod. A list is displayed with the sub-methods programmed for the test. Select the sub-method required with and and confirm with. The modified result is shown automatically in the display. 27

27 Automatic correction value adjustment Press to use the automatic correction value adjustment. Correction value Turbid or colored samples require the use of a correction value. This option activates the correction value program after an analysis of samples with particular color or turbidity. The test tube with the correction value (see chapter 7 Procedures for colored or turbid samples, page 64) has to be inserted and measured. The corrected result of this measurement is displayed. Transferring a test to the favorites list Press Favorites to transfer a test to the favorites list. The current test is transferred to the favorites list. See chapter 5.6 on how to delete a test from the favorites list. Display absorbance Press to display the absorbance. The absorbance associated with the measurement result, is shown in the display. Deactivate the function in the same way. Display % range Press to display the the 20 % 80 % range. Compliance to the 20 % 80 % measurement range (according to DWA-A 704 standards) is shown in the display. Deactivate the function in the same way. 4.3 Selecting a test using the MN test lists It is possible to select a test from a list: tube tests (0-XX), standard tests (1-XX) and bio tests (8-XX). Press to select the list. A list with the relevant tests appears. Select a test with and and confirm with. When the test is selected, the wavelength is adjusted automatically. Measure the zero value and the sample according to the instructions in the display. 4.4 Scan mode In the scan mode, the absorbance of a sample solution is measured over a specific wavelength range. The absorbance or transmission values are displayed as a curve. 1. Set the photometer to the method mode. 28

28 2. Press to access the scan mode. 3. Press, the keypad appears. Enter the lower wavelength limit and confirm with. 4. Press, the keypad appears. Enter the upper wavelength limit and confirm with. Confirm both entries with. The lower wavelength limit is adjusted automatically. Sample Info 5. Insert a zero value cuvette into the photometer. Press to initiate the baseline measurement (use the same size cuvette as for the sample, e.g. 10 mm). Sample Info 29

29 6. Insert the cuvette with the sample solution into the photometer. Press to initiate the scan. The scan result appears in the display. Sample Info An additional menu bar appears at the right of the display to analyze a scan using the cursor and zoom functions. Any changes made are shown in the display immediately. Zoom Press and to expand or reduce the y-axis. Examine scan Press and to move to a specific point in the scan. The associated pair of values (wavelength/absorbance) is shown in the top right of the display. Compress and expand scan Press to compress or to expand the scan in the direction of the x-axis. Turn back scan to initial scale Press to return the scan to its original scale. Press in the top menu bar to change between absorbance and transmission. You can also export the scan to a PC. Press to enter individual details such as name, sample place and user. All entries are displayed immediately. Entering a name Press Name to enter a name. The keypad is opened. Enter a name and confirm with. Entering a sample place Sample place Press to enter a sample place. A list appears, which includes all previously defined samples places together with empty positions to enter new places. Empty positions for new samples places are marked with Use the arrows to browse through the list. Press to select a highlighted entry. If you select a highlighted entry with, the keypad appears to enter a new or change an existing samples place. Information with a maximum of 12 characters can be assigned to each sample place. The list can include up to 50 different entries for samples places. Alternatively, you can assign a sample place directly to a sample using the NANOCOLOR USB bar code scanner (REF ). Any sample place entered with a bar code scanner will be saved with the respective result, but not in the list of sample places. 30

30 You can find operating instructions for the NANOCOLOR USB bar code scanner in the respective customer information document. Entering a user Press User to enter a user. A list appears which includes all previously defined users together with empty positions to enter new users. Empty positions for new users are marked with a. Use the arrows to browse through the list. Press to select a highlighted entry. If you select a highlighted entry with, the keypad appears to enter a new or change an existing user. Information with a maximum of 10 characters can be assigned to each user. The list can include up to 20 different entries for users. 4.5 Photometric functions Press to access the basic photometric functions and nephelometric turbidity measurements. Alternatively, you can enter the respective test number 9xx (901 factor, 902 standard, 903 absorbance, ). Once you complete a basic photometric function, you have multiple options in the main menu. You can enter sample number, sample place, user and dilution, or transfer the specific function to the favorites list. Additionally, you can also display the absorbance Basics of photometry Photometry converts the intensity of a chemically induced color reaction of a solution into a statement of concentration. Mathematically however, the light reduction (absorption) of a colored solution is not directly linked to the concentration. Therefore, in photometry the so called absorbance (A) is used, which is defined as the logarithm of the ratio between incident light (I 0 ) and transmitted (I) light. The non-dimensional variable l is referred to as transmittance (T). l 0 l A = log 0 = logt l T = l l 0 T x 100 = Transmittance in % NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers en 04/

31 According to the Lambert-Beer law, the absorbance has a linear relationship to the concentration (c): A = ε c d ε = molar absorbance coefficient (chromatic constant) 1 c = A ε d Provided that the layer thickness (d) is constant, the concentration is directly proportional to the absorbance. The composition of both values yields the factor (F). c = A F The interrelation of the absorbances of two colored solutions to their respective concentrations can be derived as: A 1 = A 2 c 1 c 2 For example, under these conditions, a sample with known content (c1) the standard solution (S) can be compared to an unknown sample (c2). According to c 2 = c 1 A 2 c 2 the concentration of the unknown sample can be determined Factor Normally, all color reactions measured with the photometer comply to Lambert-Beer s Law. Therefore, it is possible to determine a factor for measurements and to calibrate the photometer. When performing factor measurements, you can manually enter a factor once you select the measurement. The absorbance is then converted according to the equation c = A x F and the respective result is displayed. Press Basis functions Factor to initiate a factor measurement. Wavelength Press, the keypad appears. Enter a wavelength and confirm with. Factor Press, the keypad appears. Enter a factor and confirm with. Confirm both entries again with. The factor measurement is selected and the wavelength is adjusted automatically. Measure the zero value and the sample, following the instructions in the display. NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers en 04/

32 4.5.3 Standard In some tests, the color reaction depends on different parameters such as temperature, time or the reagent concentration (e.g. in medicine). In addition to analyzing the sample, it is necessary to analyze a sample with a known content the standard solution. The results of the sample measurement correspond to this standard. The validity of the Lambert-Beer s Law is required as well. Measurements with standard solutions are based on a 2-point calibration. Press Basis functions Standard to initiate a standard measurement. Wavelength Press, the keypad appears. Enter a wavelength and confirm with. Concentration Press, the keypad appears. Enter the concentration of the standard solution and confirm with. The concentration value s decimal point determines the display accuracy. Confirm both entries again with. The standard measurement is selected and the wavelength is adjusted automatically. Measure the zero value and the sample, following the instructions in the display. 33

33 4.5.4 Absorbance The practical NANOCOLOR analytical system provides measured values without any extra calculations. However, the absorbance should not be ignored completely particularly in borderline cases since a four-digit measured value gives no indication of measurement accuracy and constancy. In photometry, an ideal measurement range would be between absorbances of 0.1 and 1.0. Negative absorbances occur in methods where the color reduction is converted into results. Via, single- as well as multi-wavelength measurements of up to 4 wavelengths are possible. Press Basis functions to initiate an absorbance measurement. Wavelength Press, the keypad appears. Enter a wavelength (λ1) and confirm with. You can enter up to 4 wavelengths. Confirm each with. Confirm all entries again with. The absorbance measurement is selected and the wavelengths are adjusted automatically. Measure the zero value and sample by following the instructions in the display Kinetics The kinetics function gives an indication of the temporal color development of a color reaction within a solution. To create such information, the function automatically repeats measurements during a particular timer interval at pre-defined times. The kinetics results can be displayed, saved or sent to a computer. Press Basis functions Kinetics to initiate the kinetics function. 34

34 Wavelength Press, the keypad appears. Enter a wavelength and confirm with. Entering the time interval Press the keypad appears. Enter the interval (in s) and confirm with. Entering the duration Press the keypad appears. Enter the length of the time period (in min) for the kinetics measurement and confirm with. Confirm all entries again with. The kinetics measurement is selected and the wavelength is adjusted automatically. Measure the zero value and the sample, following the instructions in the display Transmission In addition to the absorbance, the transmission is also a significant variable in photometry. The transmission is an expression for the transparency of a solution with regards to light of a particular wavelength. The transmission is displayed as the percentage of light that actually passes through a sample. Press Basis functions Transmission to display the transmission. Wavelength Press, the keypad appears. Enter a wavelength and confirm with. Confirm the entry a second time with. The transmission measurement is selected and the wavelength is adjusted automatically. Measure the zero value and the sample by following the instructions in the display Turbidity Turbidity measurements are often critically important for quality monitoring in industrial applications. Light passing through liquid which contains undissolved solids, such as algae, mud, microbes and other insoluble particles, is both absorbed and scattered. Turbidity increases with the amount of undissolved solids present in the sample. However, the shape, size and composition of the particles also influence the degree of turbidity. Turbidity is determined by measuring light passing through the sample. The light intensity is detected either at a 180 angle as transmission or nephelometric at a 90 angle as the intensity of the scattered light. Measuring the scattered light at an angle of 90 has proved to be a more accurate method particularly at lower measuring ranges. 35

35 Press Basis functions Turbidity to initiate a turbidity measurement in the range of NTU (nephelometric turbidity unit). Refer to chapter for calibrating the nephelometric turbidity measurement. Sample Info The nephelometric turbidity measurement is selected and the wavelength is adjusted automatically. Measure the sample, following the instructions in the display. Refer to test 1-92 to measure the turbidity at a 180 angle Automatic turbidity measurement for tube tests NTU check The photometers allow you to automatically check for turbidity when running NANOCOLOR tube tests, displaying the turbidity in NTU. This function safely detects measurement errors due to turbidity influences, thus increasing overall measurement and result safety. If you activate the NTU check, a nephelometric turbidity measurement is run whenever you measure a tube test. You can enter an individual NTU limit, if the turbidity is exceeding your selection, the measurement value and the NTU result will be display in red as a visual warning. You can activate / deactivate the NTU check in the settings: NTU check Sample Info Activate NTU check Press NTU check to activate the automatic turbidity check for every tube test measurement. 36

36 NTU Limit Press NTU limit to adjust the threshold for a visual warning. You can enter the limit via the numerical keypad. The way results are influenced due to turbidity is dependent on multiple factors (e.g. particle size, test, wave length, ). Therefore, it is not possible to compensate for the turbidity mathematically. At NTU values 10, experience shows that results of NANOCOLOR tube tests are not compromised significantly. 4.6 Select a test using favorites Favorites NANOCOLOR spectrophotometers offer the choice to select a test from a user-defined favorites list. To choose individual tests from the favorites list, see chapter 3 Using barcoded test tubes, page 16 and see chapter Standard tests, page 24. To edit the favorites list press Favorites, a list of favorites appears. Select the favorite with and and confirm with. The test is selected and the wavelength is adjusted automatically. Measure the zero value and/or the sample following the instructions in the display. 37