The document describes the vario EL cube, a new benchmark in CHNS+O+Cl analysis. It is a compact elemental analyzer that provides high performance while maintaining small size. It can simultaneously analyze carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and the optional analysis of oxygen and chlorine. The vario EL cube has a modular design for flexibility, stability of results, and ease of use, including for difficult sample matrices like fluorinated compounds. It features an 80 position autosampler, patented blank-free ball valve injector, reliable furnace system with 10 year warranty, powerful gas separation columns, and software for intuitive operation and data export.

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vario EL cube
The new benchmark in CHNS+O+Cl analysis

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vario EL cube
high performance – compact size

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Size of vario EL III and EL cube

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vario EL cube characteristics I
simultaneous CHNS analysis and O, Cl option,
optimized for micro samples and semi-macro applications
unique method for combustion gas separation using the established
purge&trap technology for widest dynamic range and best gas
separation – again setting standards.
Software controlled option to use Argon as carrier gas instead of
Helium (on request)

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vario EL cube characteristics II
optional IR detector for 2 ppm sulfur sensitivity
special precautions for fluorine containing samples
fully automatic analysis with 80 position sampler and
blank-free ball valve injector
Windows® software with 21 CFR Part 11 compliance
oxygen excess proof thermistor TCD for < 100 ppm to 100%
detection
more than 1 year stability of calibration,
10 years furnace warranty

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vario EL cube –
following 100 years of experience
vario EL cube replaces the
successful vario EL III in the
line of vario elemental
analyzers in the ELEMENTAR
instrument portfolio.
It is based on the „cube“
platform which has proven
ist capabilities in the already
established vario MICRO
cube.

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vario EL cube
Although being a universal CHNOS analyzer, special attention is
paid to:
Highest flexibility due to modular design
Stability of the instrument and analytical results
easy to use
The analysis of difficult sample matrices, e.g. fluorinated
compounds

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Functional diagram, schematic flow

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80 position autosampler
large - 80 positions
blank-free
reliable – easy cleaning
easy reload during operation
single- or continuous operation

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Patented Ball valve
inherent blank-free system
reliable function
keeps air out of the system
very long lasting operation
easy maintenance

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Reliable furnace system
high-temperature furnace for continuous
operation up to 1200°C
low voltage concept for reliability and
safety
easy access for tube exchange
10 year warranty

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Reaction tubes
high quality quartz reaction tubes
long lifetime and long service intervals
alternatively smaller tubes possible for special
applications (IRMS)

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Clamp connections for easy maintenance and
reliable function
closed open

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Purge & trap gas separation
dynamic purge & trap columns
powerful gas separation,
guarantees baseline separation for
all sample types
very long lifetime

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Purge & trap technology: largest dynamic
range with guaranteed baseline separation
unique method for combustion
gas separation
Easy to use
Powerful separation
H2O
N2
CO2
SO2

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vario EL cube – principle of operation

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The thermal conductivity detector is setting
standards in reliability and stability
own development
undestructible thermistor TCD
insensitive to oxygen intrusion
low noise baseline
for < 100 ppm to 100% detection

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Infrared detector (optional)
2 ppm S detection
specific CO detection in O pyrolysis
analysis
accurate S determination in
fluorinated samples

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Software
intuitive interface
easy editing
view graph during analysis
great export functionality
21CFR part11/LIMS/GLP
conformity
Windows XP/Vista/7
integrated Help-function

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Advanced electronics concept
easy maintenance
fully digitalized
up-to-date electronics
industry standard micro-processor
small space requirements
allows remote service via internet or
modem

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Advanced electronics concept
old electronics (vario EL III) new electronics
(vario EL cube)

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Automated leak check
fully automated
takes less than 10 minutes, saves
valuable time

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Easy maintenance, further optimized
one focus of the development was the
simplification of the maintenance
only one electronic board
software update via internet
Easy 5 side access in spite of smaller
size

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no detector drift - the calibration lasts for months or years
no gas splitting - the whole sample volume is analyzed
optimized for micro and semi-macro measurements
special precautions for fluorine containing samples
vario EL cube features

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vario EL cube features II
low cost per analysis due to low consumables requirements
and robust design
short and self-optimizing analysis time
Helium or Argon carrier gas (on request)
10 year warranty on the furnace system

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Facts that did not change
reliable systems „Made in Germany“
outstanding service
professional handling of your inquiries
with “24 hour response“
support from our application laboratory
our friendly, cooperative atmosphere

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Specifications
Combustion temperature 850°C – 1200°C
Operating modes: CHNS, CHN, CN, N, S, O (Cl option)
IR detectors available for sensitive S,
O or Cl measurement
Precision < 0.1% abs
(2 mg test substance, sulfanilamide)
Self optimizing analysis time 10 min in CHNS mode
7 min in CHN mode
Carrier gas Helium, alternatively Argon

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Specifications II
Sample weight: up to 1 g mineral sample
up to 50 mg organic sample
Detection range: C: 0 to 40 mg abs. (or 100%)
N: 0 to 15 mg abs. (or 100%)
H: 0 to 3 mg abs. (or 100%)
S: 0 to 6 mg abs. (or 100%)
Detection limit < 100 ppm
2 ppm for S with IR detector
Autosampler 80 positions, alternatively 120 positions

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Options
IR detectors for high performance
analysis of
Sulfur
Oxygen
Chlorine (patent pending)
IRMS coupling
manual gas/liquid injection
liquid autosampler VLS
more detectors possible on request

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sample (N= 6, approx. 1 mg) N [%] C [%] H [%] S [%]
sulfanilic acid (theory) 8.09 41.61 4.07 18.51
Mean (6 samples) 8.14 41.54 4.01 18.51
std. dev. abs [%] 0.019 0.03 0.01 0.006
delta (deviation from theory) 0.05 0.07 0.06 0.002
The vario EL cube is optimized for the analysis of fine chemicals
with small sample sizes.
Applications: Fine chemicals

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Applications: no deterioration of the analyzer
performance from fluorinated samples
sample (N=6; ca. 2mg) N [%]
± S abs.
C [%]
± S abs.
H [%]
± S abs.
S [%]
± S abs.
sulfanilamide 16.29
± 0.29
42.08
± 0.09
4.67
± 0.01
18.68
± 0.06
N-F-dibenzolsulfonimide 4.47
± 0.01
45.62
± 0.08
3.19
± 0.01
20.32
± 0.1
fluorbenzoic acid ------- 60.13
± 0.18
3.62
± 0.02
------
N-F-dibenzolsulfonimide 4.46
± 0.01
45.65
± 0.07
3.20
± 0.01
20.20
± 0.2
Trifluor-acetanilide 7.36
± 0.05
50.62
± 0.32
3.27
± 0.02
-------
sulfanilamide 16.27
± 0.01
42.00
± 0.05
4.68
± 0.02
18.54
± 0.21
The samples were analyzed in one sequence.

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Applications: chlorinated samples
Sample (ca. 2mg) N [%] C [%] H [%] S [%]
benzylcysteine.HCl 6.838 52.978 6.856 15.195
" 6.794 52.938 6.864 15.506
" 6.823 53.041 6.844 15.549
" 6.839 52.928 6.851 15.518
Mean 6.819 52.969 6.853 15.524
SD abs [%] 0.03 0.063 0.010 0.022
SD rel [%] 0.330 0.118 0.150 0.143
diff. from theory [%] -0.07 -0.06 +0.03 +0.10

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How to select within the vario family:
Micro or Macro Analyzer
Main distinguishing feature is the amount of organically
bound carbon to be analyzed in one sample.
Absolute carbon detection range:
0 – 7 mg vario MICRO cube
0 – 40 mg vario EL cube
0 – 100 mg vario MACRO cube
0 – 200 (400) mg vario MAX

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How to select within the vario family II
Sample handling and injection (1)
Samples are wrapped in a Sn or Ag foil or liquids sealed in
capsules. Then loaded in a carousel magazine and moved
by gravity into the combustion zone.
Analyzers: vario MICRO cube
vario EL cube
vario MACRO cube

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How to select within the vario family II
Sample handling and injection (2)
Samples (liquids or solids) are filled in an open and
reusable crucible (steel or ceramic) and moved by a robot
arm into the combustion zone.
After combustion the crucible with
the remaining ash (minerals)
is automatically removed.
Analyzer: vario MAX

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How to select within the vario family III
Sample handling and injection (3)
Samples (liquids or gases) are injected directly into
the combustion zone by means of an automatic or
manual syringe.
Analyzers:vario EL liquid injection
vario TRACE liquid injection

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Elementar thanks for your attention !