Flow Injection Analysis: Prof. Rahmiana Zein, PH.D

FLOW INJECTION
ANALYSIS
Prof. Rahmiana Zein, Ph.D.
Flow Injection Analysis
(FIA)
FIA allows for the rapid, sequential analysis of an unlimited number of samples. FIA is one example of a continuous-
flow analyzer, in which sequentially introduce samples at regular intervals into a liquid carrier stream that transports
them to the detector.
Schematic diagram of a simple flow injection analyzer showing its basic components. After its injection
into the carrier stream the samples mixes and reacts with the carrier stream’s reagents before reaching the
detector.
Effect of dispersion on the shape of a sample’s flow profile at
different times during a flow injection analysis: (a) at injection;
(b) when convection dominates dispersion; (c) when convection
and diffusion contribute to dispersion; and (d) when diffusion
dominates dispersion. The red line shows the width, w, of the
samples flow profile.
Instrumentations Peristaltic pump
1. Propelling Unit
The propelling unit moves the carrier stream through the flow
injection analyzer. Although several different propelling units
have been used, the most common is a peristaltic pump. A
peristaltic pump consists of a set of rollers attached to the
outside of a rotating drum.
2. Injector
The sample, typically 5–200 μL, is injected into the carrier
stream. Although syringe injections through a rubber septum
are possible.
3. Transport System
The heart of a flow injection analyzer is the transport system
that brings together the carrier stream, the sample, and any
reagents that react with the sample. Each reagent stream is
considered a separate channel, and all channels must merge
before the carrier stream reaches the detector. The complete
transport system is called a manifold.
4. Detector
The most commonly used detectors for flow injection analysis
are the electrochemical and optical detectors used in HPLC.
a single-channel manifold in which the reagent serves as the
carrier stream and as a species that reacts with the sample.
The mixing/reaction coil is wrapped around a plastic cylinder.
Two examples of a dual-channel manifold for flow injection

analysis. In (a) the two channels merge before the loop
injector, and in (b) the two channels merge after the loop
injector.
Flow injection analysis (FIA) is based on the injection of a liquid sample into a moving,
nonsegmented continuous carrier stream of a suitable liquid. The injected sample forms
a zone, which is then transported toward a detector that continously records the
absorbance, electrode potential, or other physical parameter as it continuously changes
due to the passage of the sample material through the flow cell
Single-line FIA: Spectrophotometric Determination of Chloride
Principle :
The carrier stream contains Hg(SCN)2 and Fe(III). The

chloride of the injected sample reacts with Hg(SCN) 2,
liberating SCN-, which in turn forms with Fe(III) the
red-colored complex ion Fe(SCN)2+, which is measured
spectrophotometrically at 480 nm. The height of the
recorded absorbance peak is then proportional to the
concentration of chloride in the sample. Besides
Fe(SCN)2+, other (higher) complex ions between Fe(III)
and SCN- might be formed; thus, the calibration curve
cannot be expected to be linear over a wide range of
concentrations.
FIA Advantages
 Sensitivity is the maximum possible.

 Small variations in reaction conditions such as changes in
flow rate or temperature do not affect method sensitivity.
 When the method sensitivity remains constant, results stay
within specification for a longer period
 Recalibration is not needed as oftenFIA works in laminar
flow, which reduces the likelihood of carryover between
successive samples.
 FIA does not require separation of samples with intervening
bubbles, that is to say it uses unsegmented flow.
SEGMENTED
FLOW ANALYSIS
Segmented Flow Analysis (SFA)
SFA is an automatic continuous methodology developed by Skeggs in 1957. Its associated equipment usually includes
a peristaltic pump for continuous aspiration of sample and reagents, and a series of plastic tubes (manifold) intended to
carry liquid streams to the detector.
SFA systems usually consist of several channels and use one assembly. Once aspirated, samples are segmented by inserting
air bubbles in the liquid streams that are subsequently removed before they reach the detector.
Air bubbles serve various purposes, namely:
1. Carryover avoidance between samples, by inserting a segment of flushing water between individual
samples in order to remove any residues of the previous sample potentially remaining on tubing
walls
2. Prevention of the reaction plug dispersion.
3. Facilitation of the formation of a turbulent flow in order to homogenize the sample/reagent mixture
in the plug sandwiched between each pair of bubbles.
Segmented Flow Analysis (SFA) Advantages
1. Simple
2. the low cost and high reliability of a flexible system employing only two moving
parts—a peristaltic pump and an auto-sampler
3. Low detection limit
4. Aspiration sample into the sampler
5. operates under turbulent flow regime
Disadvantages
High reagent consumption
SEQUENTIAL
INJECTION
ANALYSIS
Sequential Injection Analysis (SIA)
In an SIA system using a single reagent, the central port of the switching valve is connected to the sample
channel, and the pump is set to aspirate a preset volume of sample at a low flow rate in order to avoid the
formation of bubbles. Then the central port is connected to the appropriate side port to aspirate a preset volume of
reagent. Next the valve is actuated to connect the central port with the channel leading to the detector, and an
appropriate volume of carrier is dispensed to drive the sample and reagent to the detector.
Sequential Injection Analysis (SIA) Advantages
1. essential features of SIA is computerized control

2. SIA can be turned into a true multiparametric analysis system simply by using a
switching valve with an appropriate number of channels to hold the different
analytic reagents, delivery of which can be precisely programmed via the
associated computer.

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FLOW INJECTION

Two examples of a dual-channel manifold for flow injection

The carrier stream contains Hg(SCN)2 and Fe(III). The

 Sensitivity is the maximum possible.

1. essential features of SIA is computerized control

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