Automated Analysis of Low Levels of Cyanide and Phenols in Surface and Drinking Water

Jens Neubauer, Sales EMEA, Seal Analytical, Norderstedt, Germany

Cyanide and phenol containing compounds are processed in a wide range of industrial applications. They are used in petroleum refining, chemical synthesis, pharmaceutical industry and many more. Due to the extensive use both parameters have an obvious impact on our environment meanwhile. Cyanides and phenolic compounds accumulate in plants and animals, and are detectable in surface and drinking water in harmful concentrations. Therefore thorough monitoring got more and more into focus in the past years. However, the sample preparation is labor intensive as both parameters require separation from interferences. The most recognized method for this is distillation which is an obstacle in routine measurement of a high workload. Flow analyzers allow automated sample preparation of larger amounts of sample in combination with sensitive colorimetric detection systems.