We have constructed a semi-automated, acid-base-acid extraction system for radiocarbon sample preparation. The system, based upon a similar system at ORAU, is comprised of twelve flow-cells, constructed from commercially available low-pressure chromatography column hardware and solvent reservoirs. Mineral acids, bases and water can be selected from different reservoirs using a multiport solenoid valve block, and pumped through the sample-containing flow cells using a multi-channel peristaltic pump. Both the valve-block and pump are under the control of a National Instruments LabView Software Program. A predetermined sequence acid, base, and water washes can be reproducibly infused through samples in order to extract burial-associated contaminants. The system increases pretreatment reproducibility and sample through-put. Data are presented comparing the performance of the system to conventional sample treatment methods.
See more of Poster Session II
See more of The 10th International Conference on Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (September 5-10, 2005)