Varian, Inc. launches Vista-MPX: Simultaneous ICP-OES for elemental analysis

Varian, Inc. (Palo Alto, CA) introduced the Vista-MPX inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), offering the performance and productivity benefits of simultaneous ICP at prices 30% lower than list prices for other simultaneous systems.

The price and performance of the Vista MPX make it a viable choice for labs that could previously only justify buying a sequential ICP system. The Vista-MPX can measure all 22 U.S. EPA environmental elements (Method 200.7) in just 5 minutes per sample. It takes some 18 minutes per sample for sequential ICP systems to measure the same elements.

The global ICP market includes two types of technology—simultaneous ICP-OES and the less-expensive sequential ICP-OES. Simultaneous ICP-OES instruments measure all of the elements in a sample at the same time, providing far greater laboratory productivity than sequential scanning instruments that measure elements one at a time. Before the introduction of the Vista MPX, the cost of simultaneous ICP-OES made it difficult for some labs to afford, even though the throughput and performance of these systems could mean significant gains in productivity.

Chemical companies rely on ICP-OES for quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) analysis of raw materials, ingredients, and final products. The petroleum industry checks gasoline for lead and sulfur with ICP-OES.

The Vista-MPX simultaneous ICP-OES is available for delivery beginning Dec. 1, 2000.

Edited by David Nakamura
Managing Editor, Hydrocarbon Online