A Microcomputer-Based Experiment Control and Detection System for Flow Injection Analysis

Abstract
The program and hardware for a versatile, computer-controlled flow injection analysis system is described. The motivation behind the design of the system is the ability of the user to select strictly “off the shelf” components to build an FIA system, which will allow computer control of pumps, data acquisition, and data evaluation in a graphic, laboratory notebook style readout. An IBM XT or AT personal computer (or compatible) and an IBM Data Acquisition and Control Adapter are used to control pumps in stopped flow, reversed flow, and variable speed modes. The data collection during a measurement cycle is initiated by an injection valve switch. Data are simultaneously acquired in a background process and plotted to the screen and chart recorder (if desired) in real time. Data files are created in a general format suitable for storage and retrieval by the program, or for evaluation by other data analysis techniques such as partial least squares or multiple linear regression.