Persee AA990 Flame and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (Refurbished)

Overview

The Persee AA990 is a dual-beam flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer engineered for precise, trace-level elemental quantification in demanding laboratory environments. Based on the fundamental principle of atomic absorption spectroscopy—where ground-state free atoms in the gaseous phase absorb characteristic wavelengths of light—the AA990 enables highly selective detection of over 70 metallic and semi-metallic elements at sub-pptr concentration levels. Its dual-beam optical architecture compensates for source intensity drift and lamp fluctuations in real time, ensuring long-term baseline stability and measurement reproducibility essential for regulatory-compliant analysis. Designed and originally manufactured in Beijing by Persee General Instrument Co., Ltd., the AA990 integrates a high-efficiency hollow cathode lamp (HCL) power supply, thermally stabilized monochromator with 0.15 nm spectral bandwidth, and a low-noise photomultiplier tube detector. The system supports both flame atomization (for ppm-range analysis of readily atomized elements such as Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn) and electrothermal graphite furnace atomization (for sub-ppt detection of refractory or low-concentration analytes including Pb, Cd, As, Se, Cr). All core electronics and mechanical modules undergo full functional validation and calibration traceable to NIST-standard reference materials prior to refurbishment.

Key Features

• Dual-beam optical path design with automatic background correction (D₂ deuterium lamp or Zeeman-effect optional), minimizing spectral interference and improving signal-to-noise ratio
• Integrated flame and graphite furnace atomizers—switchable via software-controlled pneumatic positioning without manual realignment
• Graphite furnace temperature program with up to 30-step ramping, precise to ±1 °C, supporting pyrolysis, atomization, and cleaning stages with inert gas purge control
• Flame system equipped with air-acetylene and optional nitrous oxide-acetylene burners; auto-ignition and flame failure safety cutoff compliant with IEC 61010-1
• High-stability solid-state HCL power supply with multi-lamp turret (up to 8 lamps), enabling rapid method switching and extended lamp lifetime
• Modular chassis architecture facilitating field serviceability, component-level diagnostics, and upgrade paths for autosampler integration

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AA990 accommodates liquid samples across diverse matrices—including aqueous standards, digested environmental soils (EPA Method 200.7/200.9), acid-digested biological tissues (AOAC 999.10), pharmaceutical excipients (USP ), and food extracts (ISO 6497). Sample introduction supports both direct aspiration (flame mode) and micro-volume injection (1–50 µL, graphite furnace mode) with programmable matrix modifiers (e.g., Pd-Mg, NH₄H₂PO₄). The instrument meets key performance criteria defined in ISO 11171 (spectral resolution), ASTM E1920 (precision and detection limits), and USP for elemental impurities testing. Refurbished units are verified per GLP-aligned qualification protocols—including Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ) using certified reference materials (CRMs) from NIST, SPS-SW, and LGC. Full audit trails, electronic signatures, and data integrity controls align with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when operated with validated software configurations.

Software & Data Management

Controlled via Persee’s AAWinPro v3.x analytical software (Windows 10/11 compatible), the AA990 provides intuitive method development, real-time spectral visualization, multi-point calibration (linear, quadratic, log-log), and QC charting (Levey-Jennings, Shewhart). Raw absorbance data, peak area/height integration, and furnace temperature profiles are stored in vendor-neutral .csv and .txt formats. Software supports automated report generation compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 documentation standards, including instrument parameters, calibration history, and uncertainty estimation per GUM (Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement). Optional network deployment enables centralized instrument monitoring, remote diagnostics, and integration into LIMS via ASTM E1394 or HL7-compatible APIs.

Applications

• Environmental monitoring: Pb, Cd, Hg, As quantification in drinking water (EPA 200.9), wastewater sludge (TCLP), and airborne particulates (NIOSH 7300)
• Pharmaceutical quality control: Elemental impurity screening in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) per ICH Q3D guidelines
• Food safety testing: Ni, Cr, Al determination in infant formula (ISO 17272), canned seafood (AOAC 999.11), and dietary supplements
• Clinical and toxicology labs: Blood lead level (BLL) analysis per CLIA-waived protocols and hair mineral profiling
• Geological and metallurgical R&D: Trace element mapping in ore concentrates and alloy homogeneity verification

FAQ

Is this a factory-refurbished unit or third-party refurbished?
All AA990 systems are refurbished by Persee-certified technicians following original manufacturer specifications, including optical alignment, burner head replacement, graphite tube conditioning, and full electrical safety testing.
What documentation is provided with the instrument?
Each unit ships with a Certificate of Refurbishment, IQ/OQ/PQ reports, calibration certificates traceable to NIST SRMs, software license, and complete user manuals in English.
Can the AA990 be upgraded with an autosampler?
Yes—the AA990 chassis supports retrofit installation of the AS-990 autosampler module, enabling unattended analysis of up to 144 samples with programmable dilution and standard addition.
Does the system include compliance-ready features for regulated laboratories?
Yes—audit trail logging, user access levels, electronic signature support, and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant data archiving are enabled upon software configuration and validation.
What is the typical lead time and warranty coverage?
Standard lead time is 4–6 weeks post-order confirmation; all refurbished AA990 units include a 12-month parts-and-labor warranty covering critical subsystems including optics, furnace controller, and flame management electronics.