AOPU FP640 Flame Photometer
| Brand | AOPU |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Region Classification | Domestic (China) |
| Model | FP640 |
| Price | USD 1,280 (FOB Shanghai) |
| Measurement Range | K: 0–100 µg/mL |
| Na | 0–100 µg/mL |
| Detection Limit | K ≤ 0.004 mmol/L |
| Response Time | < 8 s |
| Repeatability | ≤ 3% RSD |
| Sample Uptake Rate | < 6 mL/min |
| Detector | Silicon Photocell |
| Wavelength Selection | Interference Filter |
| Display | 7-inch Color Touchscreen |
| Ignition System | One-Touch Auto-Ignition with Flame Ionization Safety Cut-off |
| Fuel Compatibility | Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Propane, or Butane |
| Linear Error | K ≤ 0.005 mmol/L |
| Stability | ≤ 3% max variation within 15 s |
| Operating Environment | 10–35 °C, RH ≤ 85%, Stable Horizontal Surface, No Strong EMI/Vibration, Proper Grounding, 220 V ± 10%, 50 Hz ± 1 Hz, 250 W Max |
| Dimensions | 400 × 250 × 500 mm |
| Weight | 12.5 kg |
| Standard Configuration | Main Unit, Integrated Air Compressor, Calibration Standards, Capillaries, Filters, User Manual, and Safety Accessories |
Overview
The AOPU FP640 Flame Photometer is a benchtop atomic emission spectrometer engineered for quantitative determination of potassium (K) and sodium (Na) in aqueous solutions using flame atomic emission spectroscopy (FAES). It operates on the principle that alkali metal atoms—when introduced into a stable, stoichiometric hydrocarbon-air flame—are thermally excited to higher electronic energy states; upon relaxation, they emit characteristic radiation at discrete wavelengths (e.g., 766.5 nm for K and 589.3 nm for Na). The emitted intensity is directly proportional to analyte concentration within the linear dynamic range, enabling rapid, cost-effective elemental quantification without chromatographic separation or complex sample digestion.
Designed for routine clinical, agricultural, and industrial laboratories, the FP640 delivers robust performance under GLP-aligned operational protocols. Its dual-channel optical path permits simultaneous K/Na measurement without manual filter switching, minimizing inter-channel drift and operator-induced variability. The instrument complies with foundational principles outlined in ISO 6955:2007 (Flame photometric determination of alkali metals) and supports method validation per CLSI EP10-A3 and ASTM D1293–22 (for water-soluble cation analysis).
Key Features
- Dual-element simultaneous detection (K and Na) via independent interference filters and matched silicon photocell detectors—eliminates sequential scanning delays and cross-wavelength interference.
- One-touch auto-ignition system integrated with flame ionization monitoring: real-time flame presence verification ensures immediate gas cutoff (< 1 s) upon flameout, followed by audible/visual alarm and safe restart capability.
- 7-inch high-resolution color touchscreen interface with intuitive menu navigation, built-in calibration curve generation (linear & 2-point), and direct concentration readout in µg/mL or mmol/L.
- Integrated air compressor eliminates external compressed air dependency—reducing footprint, noise, and maintenance points while ensuring consistent nebulization pressure (60–80 kPa).
- Optimized nebulizer design enables stable sample uptake at < 6 mL/min with minimal memory effect; compatible with standard 15-mL polypropylene tubes and disposable capillaries.
- Fuel-flexible combustion system certified for LPG, propane, and butane—supports global field deployment without hardware modification.
- Onboard stability diagnostics: continuous baseline tracking, automatic zero correction, and real-time repeatability assessment (RSD calculation across six consecutive injections).
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The FP640 accepts clarified, low-viscosity aqueous samples—including serum, plasma, urine, soil extracts (CaCl₂ or NH₄OAc leachates), fertilizer digests, cement pore solutions, and beverage filtrates. Samples require no organic solvent dilution or ashing; matrix effects are mitigated via internal standard addition (e.g., Li reference) or standard addition calibration. All wet chemistry procedures align with AOAC Official Method 978.01 (flame photometry for Na/K in foods) and USP <731> (electrolytes in parenterals).
The instrument architecture conforms to IEC 61010-1:2010 safety requirements for laboratory electrical equipment. Its firmware implements audit-trail-capable data logging (user ID, timestamp, calibration parameters, raw signal values) compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 expectations when deployed in regulated environments. CE marking and RoHS compliance documentation are available upon request.
Software & Data Management
No proprietary PC software is required—the FP640 operates autonomously via its embedded Linux-based controller. All measurement data (including raw analog voltage, processed concentration, calibration coefficients, and QC flags) are stored internally on non-volatile flash memory (≥10,000 records). Data export is supported via USB 2.0 port in CSV format for traceability and third-party statistical analysis (e.g., JMP, Minitab, or Excel).
Calibration workflows support up to five-point standard curves with forced zero intercept or full linear regression. Each calibration session is time-stamped and linked to operator ID. Re-calibration prompts appear after 24 h of continuous operation or following >100 sample injections—enforcing analytical rigor without administrative overhead.
Applications
- Clinical Diagnostics: Quantitative analysis of serum/plasma K⁺ and Na⁺ for electrolyte imbalance assessment (e.g., hyponatremia, hyperkalemia); validated against ISE-based reference methods (bias < ±2.5%).
- Agricultural Testing: Rapid screening of exchangeable K/Na in soil extracts per USDA NRCS protocol; correlation coefficient r² ≥ 0.998 vs. ICP-OES reference.
- Food & Beverage Quality Control: Monitoring salt content in dairy products, soft drinks, and canned goods per Codex Alimentarius STAN 1-1985.
- Building Materials: Soluble alkali testing in cement and concrete per ASTM C1580–22 to assess ASR (alkali-silica reaction) risk.
- Environmental Monitoring: Surface water and wastewater Na/K ratio profiling for salinity source identification (e.g., road de-icing runoff vs. natural weathering).
FAQ
What fuel gases are compatible with the FP640?
The instrument is calibrated and safety-certified for use with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), propane, and butane. Natural gas (methane) is not supported due to differing stoichiometric air requirements and flame temperature profiles.
Is external compressed air required?
No—the FP640 includes a built-in oil-free diaphragm air compressor delivering stable 70 ± 5 kPa output pressure, eliminating dependency on lab air lines or external compressors.
Can the FP640 measure lithium (Li) or calcium (Ca)?
Not natively—the optical path is fixed for K (766.5 nm) and Na (589.3 nm) using interference filters. Custom filter sets for Li (670.8 nm) or Ca (422.7 nm) are not offered; users requiring multi-element capability should consider an ICP-OES platform.
How is data integrity ensured during power interruption?
All calibration parameters and measurement records are written to non-volatile memory before display refresh; unsaved data loss is prevented by hardware-level write-caching and brown-out detection circuitry.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Nebulizer capillary cleaning every 50 samples; air filter replacement every 6 months; annual verification of flame alignment and detector linearity using NIST-traceable K/Na standards.
