Automation without compromise

• A Brief Introduction to the WESTCO SmartChem Automated Discrete Analyzer (pdf)
• SmartChem Discrete Analyzer Brochure (pdf)
• SmartChem Method List (pdf)

Cat. No. WTC-399-W001-01

Today's increased emphasis on environmental quality has given new importance to water, seawater and soil testing. While accuracy must be the first priority, reducing costs and increasing efficiency are also important. Until now, it wasn't possible to achieve all three. Chemists developed the analytical methods used today many years ago. With good technique, these manual analyses would yield high accuracy, but the tests were very labor intensive. Often, time and cost constraints led to compromises.

As Continuous Flow Analysis (CFA) developed Continuous Flow Analysis (CFA) was developed and it did indeed improve productivity and consistency. But the cost of additional hardware, compounded by lengthy set-up and shut-down times made CFA impractical for small runs. Carryover and hydraulic noise complicated analyses and operator technique still played a crucial role in the quality of the data. Overall data quality improved, but there were still many compromises.

SmartChem finally eliminates the compromises! SmartChem performs assays exactly as a chemist would, but with the precision that only automation can bring!

Who gets the best results?

With SmartChem, everyone gets the same results. SmartChem removes operator technique from the analysis. After loading the samples and reagents, the user's only role is to click "Start". How can there be any variability in that? Bubble patterns, baselines, pump tubes and carryover are eliminated so even a first time user will get the same results as a technician that has been running SmartChem for years.

SmartChem utilizes the very same techniques you would to perform a manual assay. Computer-controlled robotics and precise, millisecond timing, allow it all to take place at up to 180 tests per hour, assuring the highest possible data quality in the process. The compromises "necessary" for automated chemical analysis are now a thing of the past.

• True sample blanking
• No flowing streams
• No pump tubes
• No baseline stabilization
• No shutdown
• No hardware changes
• Minimize hazardous waste
• Use only volumes the method requires
• Each reaction in its own cuvette

SmartStart Software

• Ready to run with one click
• True unattended operation, including
  after hours
• Unlimited number of methods ready to be run at any time
• Automated method changeovers
• Automatic standards preparation
• Automatic dilutions
• Automatic spikes

Computer controlled micro pipettor

• Precise dispensing of all liquids
• Probe cleaning after every liquid contact prevents cross contamination and carryover
• Reduction of reagents and hazardous wastes
• An integral sensor for low level alerts

Wash station

• Automatic cuvette cleaning provides continuous operation
• Reduce operating costs
• Optical integrity of each cuvette is verified before each use

Nitrate-Nitrite Module

• Replicates US EPA Method # 353.2
• Automated cadmium reduction of nitrate to nitrite followed by diazotization and coupling
• Total Nitrite is determined by diazotizing with sulfanilamide and coupled with N-1-naphthylethylene•HCl and the color intensity is measured at 520 to 540 nm
• Reagent concentrations and molar ratios used in the SmartChem method are identical to US EPA method 353.2

Continuous sample loading

• Sample racks may be exchanged without interrupting the analysis

Reaction Plate

• Accurately maintains temperature +/- 0.1ºC

Photometer

• A high resolution, dual beam digital detector
• Expanded absorbance range to 2.500 AUFS reduces the need to reanalyze over range samples
• 5 detection modes: endpoint, fixed time, differential, bichromatic, and kinetic

Filter wheel

• 9 optical filters, plus 1 dark filter, ranging from 420 to 880 nm with others optionally available

Options

• ISE detector
• Bar code reader

Your SmartChem Personal Chemist performs any manual or automated method:

• Environmental
• Chemical
• Agricultural
• Food
• Pharmaceutical
• USEPA, ASTM, AOAC, DIN, ISO

Environmental Chemistries for Water, Waste Water and Seawater

Environmental Chemistries for Plant and Soil Samples

Agricultural Chemistries for Feeds

Agricultural Chemistries for Fertilizers

Tobacco Chemistries

Also,
Cyanide for smoke
Formaldehyde for smoke