DIRECT PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS OF SOLID AND OTHER COMPLEX SAMPLES WITH AUTOMATIC FLOW-INJECTION SYSTEMS

The use of a suitable sampling or sample-processing unit connected to a flow injection system can significantly expand the scope of applicat ion of the flow injection technique by enabling the direct introductio n and treatment of solid and other complex samples in a single automat ed system. In recent years various sample pretreatment techniques, inc luding electrolytic dissolution, on-line leaching, continuous microwav e digestion, on-line sterilizable membrane dialysis/filtration, pervap oration, dynamic gas-extraction, and flow-reversal liquid-liquid extra ction, among others, have proven useful-for solving a variety of analy tical problems in conjunction with flow injection systems. The princip les behind these techniques and their applications in fast assay and o n-line process monitoring are reviewed and discussed. Selected major a dvances in this research field are outlined.