Elementar rapid N exceed Dumas Nitrogen Determinator
| Brand | Elementar |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Model | rapid N exceed |
| Analysis Principle | Dumas Combustion Method |
| Automation Level | Fully Automated |
| Nitrogen Measurement Range | 0–500 mg |
| Sample Mass | 1 g (typical) |
| Repeatability | SD < 0.05% |
| Recovery Rate | ≥99.9% |
| Power Consumption | 1300 W |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 420 × 550 × 550 mm |
| Linearity Range | 0–500 mg N |
| Linear Response up to 4× Nominal N Load | Confirmed |
| Compatible Standard Acid Titration Range | Not Applicable (Combustion-based, non-wet-chemistry) |
Overview
The Elementar rapid N exceed is a high-performance, fully automated Dumas combustion-based nitrogen determinator engineered for precise, trace-level quantification of total nitrogen—and by extension, protein content—in organic and inorganic solid and liquid samples. Unlike Kjeldahl-based systems, the rapid N exceed employs high-temperature catalytic combustion (≥1150 °C) in an oxygen-rich environment, converting all nitrogenous compounds quantitatively to molecular nitrogen (N₂). This N₂ is then separated from combustion gases via selective gas chromatography and detected with a high-stability thermal conductivity detector (TCD), delivering direct, absolute nitrogen mass measurement without calibration drift or reagent dependency. Designed for routine QC/QA laboratories, research institutions, and contract testing facilities, the instrument meets the fundamental requirement for Dumas instrumentation: robust handling of gram-scale samples—critical for heterogeneous materials such as feedstuffs, soils, pharmaceutical excipients, and polymer composites.
Key Features
- Fully automated sample introduction, combustion, separation, and detection—no manual intervention required between runs
- Integrated ceramic combustion tube with proprietary catalyst bed ensuring complete oxidation and minimal NOx formation
- High-efficiency gas chromatographic separation column optimized for N₂ resolution in complex matrix effluents
- Stable, low-drift TCD with active reference compensation for long-term signal integrity
- Self-diagnostic system monitoring oxygen flow, furnace temperature, carrier gas pressure, and detector baseline
- Modular design supporting optional upgrades including auto-sampler integration (up to 60 positions) and halogen scrubber modules for Cl/Br/S-containing samples
- Compliance-ready architecture with audit trail, electronic signatures, and configurable user access levels aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 requirements
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The rapid N exceed accommodates a broad spectrum of sample types—including cereals, meat products, dairy powders, fertilizers, environmental sediments, and synthetic polymers—without derivatization or pre-treatment. Its 1 g nominal sample capacity ensures representative analysis of heterogenous matrices, directly addressing ISO 14891:2021 and AOAC 993.13 validation criteria for Dumas nitrogen analysis. All method parameters are stored as executable SOPs with version control; raw chromatograms, peak integrations, and calibration logs are immutably archived. The system supports GLP/GMP workflows through built-in instrument qualification templates (IQ/OQ/PQ), and its combustion protocol satisfies ASTM D5176, EN ISO 16634-1, and USP <467> residual solvent screening prerequisites when configured with appropriate gas purification.
Software & Data Management
Controlled via elementar’s proprietary vario ELEMENTS software, the rapid N exceed provides intuitive method setup, real-time chromatogram visualization, and automated report generation compliant with LIMS export standards (ASTM E1468, ANSI/NIST ITL 2001). All analytical data—including retention times, peak areas, integration parameters, and system suitability metrics—are stored in a relational SQLite database with automatic daily backup and SHA-256 hash verification. Software features include multi-point calibration curve validation (linear and quadratic), spike recovery tracking, and batch-wise statistical summary (mean, SD, RSD, % recovery). Electronic signatures adhere to ALCOA+ principles, and audit trails record every parameter change, user login/logout, and result modification with timestamp and operator ID.
Applications
- Food & agriculture: Crude protein determination in grains, soybean meal, pet food, and forage per AOAC 2001.11 and ISO 20483
- Environmental testing: Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN)-equivalent quantification in sludge, compost, and soil extracts
- Pharmaceuticals: Nitrogen content verification in APIs, excipients, and packaging materials per ICH Q5C guidelines
- Materials science: Nitrogen doping level assessment in carbon nitrides, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and catalyst supports
- Academic research: High-throughput screening of nitrogen-fixing microbial cultures and enzymatic nitrogen turnover assays
FAQ
Does the rapid N exceed require wet-chemical digestion or acid distillation?
No. It operates exclusively on the Dumas combustion principle and eliminates all liquid reagents, distillation steps, and associated glassware maintenance.
Can it analyze volatile or thermally labile nitrogen compounds?
Yes—optimized combustion kinetics and rapid quenching prevent nitrogen loss; validated for nitrocellulose, ammonium carbamate, and azo-dyes per ISO 22870 Annex B.
Is external calibration with certified reference materials mandatory for each run?
No. The instrument uses internal standardization via repeated injection of a primary reference material (e.g., sulfanilamide) at defined intervals; calibration stability is verified per ASTM D7574.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for routine operation?
Catalyst replacement every 10,000 analyses; combustion tube inspection every 500 runs; GC column refresh every 2 years under typical use (20 samples/day).
How is data integrity ensured during power interruption or software crash?
All active analyses write to non-volatile memory in real time; interrupted runs resume from last stable acquisition point upon restart, with full metadata preservation.
