Integrated conductimetric detection: mass distribution in a dynamic samplezone inside a flow injection manifold

The insights provided by integrated detection (conductimetric) as a novel a pproach to follow physical dispersion in continuous-flow manifolds are pres ented. This approach replaces the conventional instantaneous detection and permits to follow the dispersion phenomena, including details of the radial component as the sample plug travels the manifold. Integrated detection pe rmits to look at the radial dispersion in a detailed manner inaccessible to instantaneous detection. The effect of different experimental parameters a ffecting mass distribution was studied (e.g., flow rate, tube length and di ameter, injected sample volume, and reactor type) and their effects on inte grated response curves are discussed. A single channel manifold employing a queous nitric acid as the conducting carrier, and water injected as sample plug, and playing the role of an insulator, provided the physicochemical mo del for the reported studies. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.