Calculating the characteristic concentration: Flame Page 1 of 1

Calculating the characteristic concentration: Flame

When you have optimized the analytical conditions and created a suitable method, analyze a reference
solution and calculate the characteristic concentration.

Procedure
For information about the recommended sensitivity-check solution, in the Tools menu, click Recommended
Conditions.

1. Allow the lamps to warm up for at least 10 minutes.

2. Prepare a blank solution and a sensitivity-check solution of the element and place the solutions in the
sample tray.
3. Open the correct method and enter a value of 5 for Replicates.
4. In the Tools menu, click Automated Analysis Control and Results.
5. Set up the Automated Analysis window with there correct method name and the sample tray locations of
the blank and the reference solution.
6. In the Automated Analysis window, on the Analyze page, click Analyze Sample.
7. In the Analyses menu, click Characteristic Conc.
The Calculate Characteristic Concentration dialog appears.
8. Enter the concentration of the sensitivity-check solution, then press Tab.
9. Enter the readings for the blank and sensitivity-check solutions.
The readings are shown in the Results window.
10. Press Tab. The system calculates the characteristic concentration.

Troubleshooting
The calculated value should be within 20% of the comparison value. If it is not:

 With the online dilution accessory, there is always a small flow of diluent to the nebulizer which produces
a dilution of the measurement solution. This results in characteristic concentration values higher than
those for the basic flame technique.
 Make sure that the solutions you used were correctly prepared.
 Re-optimize the burner conditions.

mk:@MSITStore:C:\Program%20Files%20(x86)\PerkinElmer\WinLab32-AA\WL32A... 13-Jun-17