Q-POD Element

Recent advancements in measuring techniques and detection technologies have dramatically improved the sensitivity of modern analytical instrumentation.

Trace elements can now be measured at ppt and sub-ppt levels using techniques such as ICP-MS.

These low detection levels allow new applications, such as elemental fingerprinting, to be employed in such diverse fields as forensic science, the food and beverage industry and astrogeology.

Low detection levels mean that special care must be taken with the instrumentation, operators, laboratory environment and any sample containers used—all of which can impact experimental results.

This is equally true for ultrapure water used in the analytical process. Due to the dissolution and dilution processes required in sample preparation, high-purity water typically constitutes over 90 % of a sample analyzed by these sensitive techniques.

High-purity water is also used for cleaning sample containers, washing plastics and preparing blanks and standard solutions.

Laboratories performing trace analysis must have a reliable source of ultrapure water with consistently low elemental concentrations.

The Q-POD Element unit was specifically designed to achieve this purpose when combined with a Milli-Q Integral or Milli-Q Advantage ultrapure water purification system. The Q-POD Element unit’s design was developed by scientists conversant with trace analysis methods such as IC, ICP-MS and GF-AAS.

Q-POD Element Installation

The drawing below shows a typical Milli-Q Integral water purification system installation with a Q-POD Element unit.

• Milli-Q Integral water purification system purifies tap water to pure (Type 2) and ultrapure (Type 1) water. Designed for bench integration to save laboratory space; patented Millipore Elix technology minimizes operating costs.
  
• Polyethylene reservoir with vent filter combining several air purification technologies provides the best conditions for storage of pure (Type 2) water and minimizes contamination risks.
  
• E-POD unit for delivery of pure water from the reservoir at a high flow rate (up to 2 L/min), with automatic volume dispense when required— ideal for filling large vessels such as carboys.
  
• Q-POD unit for delivery of ultrapure (Type 1) water for critical applications such as HPLC, UPLC or cell culture. A range of pointof- use purifiers is available to match the requirements of specific applications. The Q-POD design is adapted for automatic filling of all glassware typically used in a laboratory.
  
• Q-POD Element unit for the production of ultrapure water suitable for ultra trace elemental analysis (ppt and sub-ppt detection limits).
  
• Footswitch for hands-free delivery of water suitable for ultra trace elemental analysis (spares the user from removing hands from the laminar flow hood environment).
  
• Delivery of ultrapure water for trace elemental analysis (Plexiglas® support and high-grade validated polyethylene tubing).