Automation of continuous flow analysis systems – a review

• Published in: Microchemical journal Vol. 155; p. 104731
• Main Authors: Bezerra, Marcos Almeida, Lemos, Valfredo Azevedo, de Oliveira, Djalma Menezes, Novaes, Cleber Galvão, Barreto, Jeferson Alves, Alves, Juscelia Pereira Santos, Cerqueira, Uillian Mozart Ferreira da Mata, Santos, Queila Oliveira dos, Araújo, Sulene Alves
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-06-2020
• Subjects: Automation; Autosamplers; Continuous flow analysis systems; Multi-pumping; Multicommutation; Continuous flow analysis systems; Multicommutation; Automation; Autosamplers; Multi-pumping
• ISSN: 0026-265X; 1095-9149
• DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2020.104731

•Techniques for automation of continuous flow analysis systems.•Devices description highlighting their characteristics and applications.•Critical discussion of advantages, disadvantages, limitations and potentialities.•Comments about some real examples from the literature.•Presentation of some future trends in this field.
This review approaches the automation of continuous flow analysis systems. The characteristics and working principles of the devices necessary for automation of the steps of the system are presented and discussed. Automation can be performed by a simple automatic sampler, by the control of the propulsion system, by systems of multicommutation and multi-pumping of the solution streams, among others. Controlled by a microcomputer dedicated or microprocessor, these devices allow the insertion of samples and reagents only in moments and in the quantities necessary for the implementation of the analytical procedure, resulting in minimal consumption of reagents and increasing the analytical performance. The future trends in the field of automation in flow analysis systems will also be discussed.