Complete Elemental Analysis

Duration: 3 days for live courses
Experience level: Intermediate
Delivery methods: Face-to-face | Offsite training & consultancy | Online | Onsite training & consultancy | Tailored training |
Type of course: Universal
Applicable to manufacturer(s): Agilent | Thermo |
CPD Approved: Not yet approved
Scheduled course price: £1,200.00 + TAX per delegate
Course discounts: RSC HEaTED Cambridge Network CAMS members receive a discount on this course

Your complete guide to elemental analysis

Learn everything you need to know about elemental analysis, with this 3-day classroom-based training for professionals, students and chemists. This complete analytical chemistry course combines the intermediate Practical Essentials of Elemental Analysis with the more advanced Elemental Analysis Clinic, to provide complete training, enabling you to understand your elemental analysis instrumentation, develop methods, maintain and troubleshoot them. Alongside diagrams, animations and examples from different industries, improve your understanding further with the opportunity to handle (see, in virtual courses) elemental analysis instrument parts and consumables such as an MS quadrupole, ICP torch, nebulisers and peristaltic pump.

This course covers all the practical theory you need to know about elemental analysis and its related techniques including (AAS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) from both the chemistry and physical perspectives, covering the instrument modules from autosamplers for automated sampling and sample preparation through to data analysis. This course also looks at how to choose the elemental analysis techniques for an application, set-up the instrument, develop & optimise the methods and then finally how to maintain & troubleshoot the instrumentation.

Why should I join?

At the end of this course, you will have a complete understanding of elemental analysis techniques and, be able to confidently apply all aspects studied on this course to your own laboratory and analytical work.

This Complete Elemental Analysis course gives you:

A complete understanding of the instrumentation used in elemental analysis from the sample preparation, through to the PC for data analysis
Clear insights and explanations into AAS and ICP components such as the burner, nebulisers, spray chambers and peristaltic pumps
Understanding of basic data analysis from understanding calibration graphs to generating data reports
Familiarity with spectrometers and detectors in elemental analysis
A solid understanding of elemental analysis method development, alongside maintenance and troubleshooting common problems

What would I learn?

This intermediate to advanced level course will provide all-round understanding, covering the practical theory of elemental analysis you will learn the:

Importance of good sample preparation in elemental analysis including microwave digestion and the use of organic solvents
How sample introduction varies between each technique of AAS, ICP-OES and ICP-MS
Distinctive types of detectors available in elemental analysis from photomultiplier tubes (PMT) to charge coupled device (CCD)
Different types of optics and gratings available in AAS and ICP-OES including monochromators, polychromators, diffraction and Echelle gratings
Discover the different mass spectrometers that can be hyphenated to ICP from single quadrupoles (SQMS) to magnetic sector MS
Common sampling techniques used for elemental analysis, including various acids available for use, as well as the use of hot blocks and microwave digestors for extraction
How to develop elemental analysis methods then put into practice with a classroom-based exercise
Develop a solid understanding of elemental analysis maintenance and troubleshooting and put into practice with exercises examining chromatograms to identify and solve problems

What knowledge will I gain?

By the end of the course, you will:

Have complete knowledge of the chemical and physical principles and concepts of elemental analysis
Comprehend how to choose the sample introduction system, and the pros and cons of various nebuliser and spray chamber types for ICP-OES and ICP-MS
Know how sample preparation and matrix matching standards are pivotal to elemental analysis
Understand the many types of interferences that can occur in elemental analysis, including spectral interferences, physical interferences and isobaric interferences
Know the differences between high resolution (HRMS) and tandem (MS/MS) mass spectrometry and the different mass analysers such as Time of Flight (ToFMS) and multi-collector ICP-MS
Be familiar with the principles of atomic absorption, atomic emission and ionisation
Grasp both qualitative and quantitative data analysis processes for AAS, ICP-OES and ICP-MS
Know the strategy for developing a robust elemental analysis method, how to monitor the method performance and prepare the method for validation
Understand common maintenance required on elemental analysis instrumentation, including checking and replacing pump tubing, cleaning of sampler cones and skimmer cones and how to maintain an ICP torch and nebuliser
Understand how to troubleshoot common issues with elemental analysis systems, examining frequent problem as such as, autosampler issues, nebuliser problems, and sensitivity losses and how to troubleshoot contamination that could come from various sources

Is this course for me?

This training is designed for anyone with basic knowledge who would like to take this to a higher level and learn the full extent of elemental analysis instrumentation and applications, including:

Laboratory analysts & technicians wanting clear, structured, in-depth training or a refresher on these techniques
Laboratory or line managers overseeing elemental analysis and instruments
Data analysts and report writers who interpret results but do not use the instruments
Service and consultant engineers who need a chemistry-focused viewpoint
Sales, marketing, or commercial teams working with elemental analysis systems, consumables, data, or laboratory services who would like a complete, in-depth perspective

If elemental analysis touches your work in any way, this well-planned course delivered by experts in the field equips you to understand the science behind these techniques.