Flow methods as a general approach to automation of the chemical analysis of aqueous media (review)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the consideration of general approaches to automating the analysis of aqueous media, which are the main objects of chemical analysis including natural and waste waters, as well as technological media in various industries (microelectronics, biochemical industries, nuclear and thermal power engineering), which are the main consumers of high-purity water used for pre-start flushing of inline equipment to the required cleanliness of surfaces, for preparation of coolants that ensure the operation of nuclear and thermal power plants. In all these cases, the content of impurities in used or spent and intended for discharge aqueous media is strictly regulated. Changes in the content of impurities in controlled media often occur spontaneously due to equipment failure on the controlled objects. Prompt response to such changes and their timely elimination can be performed more efficiently if chemical and technological control of the normalized parameters of aqueous media of any named origin and destination is carried out in a continuous automatic, on-line, mode, which guarantees the exclusion of gaps or delays in obtaining information about equipment failure on a controlled facility in case of technological control or about unauthorized discharges of pollutants in case of environmental control. Possible methodological approaches to the development of systems for continuous chemical monitoring of quality or levels of contamination of aqueous media are considered on the basis of the above prerequisites, and applicability of various flow methods for these purposes is discussed in the order of their appearance in the arsenal of analytical chemists.