Agilent 55B AA Spectrometer

Rugged. Reliable.

Specifications

Design overview
The Agilent 55B AA system is a standalone, keyboard controlled atomic
absorption spectrometer fitted with two lamp positions and automatic lamp
selection. The 55B AA is a true double beam spectrometer, ensuring a
stable baseline. The 55B AA flame instrument is suitable for manual flame
analyses and vapor generation using the Agilent VGA 77 Vapor Generation
Accessory. Automated flame analyses are available with external computer
control and additional accessories.
The Agilent 55B AA spectrometer is manufactured according to a quality
management system certified to ISO 9001.
Instrument hardware Gas control
Automatic gas control with preset oxidant flow and
Optics manual fuel flow control with flow display using a
Narrow beam optics match flame and furnace profiles. flow meter. Ignition on air/acetylene with automatic
Optics are mounted on a reinforced flat plate with a oxidant change-over. Interlocked safety system prevents
fitted cover for protection from dust and vapor. Mirror selection of the nitrous oxide flame if the nitrous oxide
surfaces are quartz overcoated for enhanced protection. burner is not fitted.
The 55B AA features a single beamsplitter plus a
Rotating Beam Combiner, which alternately passes Flame safety system
the sample or reference beam into the monochromator Separate ignite and flame-off buttons. Ignition occurs
for maximum light transmission. Wavelength range is only when the ignite button is held. Eight safety
185–900 nm. interlocks monitor burner type, burner correctly fitted,
liquid trap, pressure relief bung, flame shield, flame
Monochromator operation, mains power, oxidant pressure within safety
Automated self calibrating 250 mm focal length Czerny- reservoir and deuterium lamp cover. Gas connections
Turner monochromator with microstepping driver for to atomization system made directly — there are no
enhanced resolution. Wavelength repeatability: ±0.04 loose gas hoses. Separate upper and lower flame
nm. Software controlled wavelength selection and shields and a chimney protect the operator against heat
peaking. Features a holographic diffraction grating with and UV radiation from the flame. External adjustment
1200 lines/mm blazed at 240 nm. Wide range (185–900 of all burner and spray chamber controls. Violation of
nm) R446 photomultiplier tube. Automated slit selection. any safety interlock either inhibits flame ignition or
Settings: 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 nm. extinguishes existing flame.

Lamps Flame atomization

Support for 2 lamps mounted in fixed positions. Fast Universal Mark 7 atomization system supplied
lamp selection using mirror with automated selection. as standard. Features a fluorinated high density
Compatible with coded or uncoded lamps. Lamps polyethylene spray chamber compatible with acidic and
secured by the base without restraining clips or power organic solutions (requires optional organic o-ring kit).
cables. Pre-warming of second lamp. ‘Twist and lock’ assembly ensures simple maintenance.
Features a pressure relief bung at the rear of the spray
Background corrector chamber. Removable twin-headed mixing paddles
High intensity deuterium background corrector covering can be positioned in the spray chamber to improve
wavelength range 185–425 nm. Corrects up to 2.3 mixing and extend operation with high dissolved solids
background absorbance. 2 ms response. Electronic solutions. An externally adjustable glass impact bead
modulation with automatic gain attenuation for provides tuneable performance for optimum sensitivity
improved beam balance. Deuterium lamp easily aligned and best precision. Optional Teflon bead for use with
and replaced by the user. Optimized electronic control HF solutions. Integral nebulizer with adjustable flow,
ensures long lamp lifetime. inert platinum/iridium capillary and PEEK venturi for
corrosion resistance. Integral liquid trap with magnetic
Internal air purge float liquid level interlock. Burner constructed from
Barb fitting on rear of spectrometer enables connection Incoloy alloy with Teflon base for corrosion resistance.
to a clean, dry air supply for purging the instrument Choice of air-acetylene or nitrous oxide-acetylene
internally. This excludes dust and corrosive vapors, burner. Manual adjustment of burner height and burner
enhancing corrosion protection. rotation.

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Agilent 55B AA

Typical performance Data display

>0.9 Absorbance with precision of <0.5 % RSD from ten Displays choice of available methods, Measurement
5 second integrations for 5 mg/L Cu standard. Parameters, signal bars for lamp and signal
optimization, Calibration Parameters, Calibration Graph,
User interface Results, Instrument Parameters and Options. Result
Utilizes a built-in keyboard for setup and control with display includes real time absorbance bar with display
result display on a rugged LCD screen. Keyboard of current element, conc./Abs and precision. When
features numeric, Enter and Cursor keys (for navigating calibrated, display ranges from zero to absorbance of
menus), separate Read key and nine dedicated function the top standard. Result display includes data summary
keys (Load Method, Measurement Parameters, with sample number, concentration, precision (%RSD or
Optimize, Calibration, Results, Instrument Parameters, % precision), mean absorbance, dilution factor applied
Options, Reslope and Alternate). Option to use external and absorbance reading for the current replicate.
computer for control by connecting a compatible Current solution and previous five solution results
computer with the Agilent SpectrAA Base software displayed. Parameters displayed are dependant on the
using a PCI-IEEE interface and cable. selected measurement mode.

Methods Options menu enables user to modify settings including

Storage provided for 30 custom methods. ‘Cookbook’ enabling SIPS and editing SIPS settings, enabling serial
methods are also provided for each element. Methods output and selecting alternate language display (choice
include all recommended parameters and can be edited of English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian,
as required. Dutch and Japanese (Katakana)).

Measurement modes Data reporting/transfer

Absorption or flame emission using PROMT, Integration Real time serial comma-delimited output includes
or Integrate Repeat with manual sampling. Pre-read sample number, batch number, concentration result,
delay variable from 0–99.9 seconds. Up to 10 replicates precision, mean absorbance, all replicate readings
with read time variable from 0.2–60 seconds. and method parameters. Can be directed to a LIMS
or a serial (RS-232) printer (separate serial-to-parallel
SIPS support converter required for output to a parallel printer).
Supports single pump Agilent SIPS 10 Sample
Foot switch support
Introduction Pump System for on-line five point
calibration from a single standard and fast, on-line Optional foot switch triggers READ command. Connects
dilution capability. to 9 pin Accessories port. Remote control is possible via
the Serial port.
Calibration and blank correction
Diagnostics
Calibration in Concentration using new Rational fit
with up to five standards and separate Calibration Built-in diagnostic tests completed automatically
Zero blank. Reslope standard measurement can be at power-up. Customer service representative has
performed at any time. Individual standard readings can additional diagnostic tests available to troubleshoot
be repeated or perform a complete Recalibration at any operation.
time. Calibration can be displayed on screen to enable
Software upgrades
visual check of the fit and linearity. Cursor provided to
enable absorbance and concentration to be read from Operating software stored in Flash memory. Upgrades
the calibration. can be performed at any time without removing covers.

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Accessories Recommended environmental conditions
On-line calibration and dilution Instrument storage
Single pump SIPS 10 provides on-line multi-point 5–45 °C at 20–80 % relative humidity, non condensing.
calibration for flame AA from single bulk standard.
Immediate dilution of over-range samples with ‘Smart Instrument operation
Rinse’ to eliminate memory effects. <853 m, 10–35 °C, 8–80 % relative humidity, non
condensing. 853–2133 m, 10–25 °C, 8–80 % relative
Enhanced flame sensitivity humidity, non condensing.
Agilent ACT 80 Atom Concentrator Tube increases
sensitivity of flame AA by 2–3 times for a number of air/ Electrical requirements
acetylene elements. Single phase AC supply with three-wire system
terminated at an appropriate receptacle.
Vapor generation 100/120/220/240 VAC ±10%, 230 VAC +14% -6%, 230
VGA 77 continuous flow Vapor Generation Accessory VAC +6% -14% 50/60 Hz.
for determination of Hg, As, Se, Sb, Te, Bi and Sn at
µg/L concentrations. Typical precision 1–2 % RSD with Gas requirements for flame operation
sample throughput of 60–70 samples/hour determined Air supply: Clean, dry, oil-free at pressure of 350 kPa (50
in triplicate. Compatible with the Agilent SPS 3 Sample psi). Typical consumption 11–20 L/min.
Preparation System for automated sampling (with
optional external computer control) and unattended Acetylene supply: Instrument grade (99.0% pure)
hydride analyses when used with the Agilent ETC 60. packaged in acetone at pressure of 75 kPa (11 psi).
Features ‘plug-in’ plumbing modules, which can be Typical consumption 1.5–10 L/min.
dedicated to specific hydride chemistries. Simply change
modules for rapid change-over between elements with Nitrous oxide: Instrument grade (99.5% pure) at
incompatible chemistries, avoiding cross-contamination. pressure of 350 kPa (50 psi). Typical consumption
11–20 L/min
Unattended hydride analyses
Fume extraction
ETC 60 Electrothermal Temperature Controller is
an electrically heated quartz cell, which increases Spectrometer must be located under an extraction
sensitivity of hydride determinations by 30% compared system ducted to an external vent. Minimum flow
with flame hydride determinations. Consists of control required is 6 cubic metres/min (200 cfm).
unit with built-in touch panel keyboard and workhead
with user replaceable cell. Control unit provides default Weights, dimensions and power
temperature programs for each element, which can be requirements
edited and saved. Thermocouple temperature control
over range from ambient to 999 °C. Couple the ETC 60 Weight
with the VGA 77, the SPS 3 sample preparation system 56 kg (123 lb) unpacked
and the SpectrAA software running on an external
computer to enable unattended hydride analyses. Dimensions
79 x 58 x 59 cm (31 x 23 x 23 in.), W x D x H

Power consumption
170 VA

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Agilent 55B AA

Installation requirements

System Installation
For details of AA installation requirements, refer to the
site preparation guide.

Support and training

Agilent is renowned for providing expert applications
and service support. Agilent has a global network of
factory-trained specialists ready to provide support for
hardware, software, or applications wherever you are
located. Services include:

• Full 12-month warranty support

• Seven (7) year hardware support period from date of
last unit manufacture. After this time, parts and
supplies will be provided if available.
• Preventive maintenance to deliver consistent
operation and minimize downtime
• Troubleshooting, maintenance and repair
• Software support services
• Comprehensive warranty extension and service
contracts, including peripherals
• Classroom training and onsite training delivered by
experts

Further details
For further information please consult your Agilent
office or supplier, or our website at www.agilent.com

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www.agilent.com/chem
Agilent shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential
damages in connection with the furnishing, performance or use of this material.

Information, descriptions, and specifications in this publication are subject to change

without notice.

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2010, 2012

Published February 1, 2012
Publication number: 5990-6709EN