Presentation Profile
Driving Lab Efficiency, Reliability, and Cost Savings with Advanced ICP-OES and ICP-MS Nebulizers
Currently Scheduled: 10/15/2025 - 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Room: Floral Hall A2
Main Author
Sergei Leikin - Texas Scientific Products
- Jesus Acapulco - Analytik Jena
- Randy Rarig - Ketjen Corporation
- Jerome Franks - Hunt Refining
Abstract:
Workshop includes three presentations, followed by a brief Q&A session.
Attendees are encouraged to bring up their own unique problems for open discussion.
1. How Different Pneumatic Nebulizers Affect your ICP-OES Elemental Analysis: From Crude Oils to Brine Samples. By Jesus Antonio Acapulco Jr, Application Specialist at Analytik Jena US LLC. The nebulizers used in inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) have undergone significant transformation in recent years, driven by technological innovation, regulatory demands, and expanding applications across industries. The study focuses on two pneumatic nebulizers. The challenges of analyzing real world samples from difficult crude oils to brines with high total dissolved solids (TDS), are presented and discussed.
2.Tired of Clogged Nebulizers? The Effect of Novel Nebulizers on Challenging Organic ICP-OES and High TDS Aqueous ICP-MS Samples. By Randy S Rarig Jr. Ph.D. Global Physical Analysis R&T Advisor at Ketjen Corporation. Analytical laboratories increasingly face challenging samples that demand both lower detection limits and faster turnaround. These samples are often difficult to digest or dissolve, leaving residual particulates and solutions with high total dissolved solids (TDS). As a result, clogged nebulizers interrupt analyses, requiring cleaning or unblocking and reducing overall productivity. Novel nebulizers have been applied to address these challenges, demonstrating strong resistance to clogging and enabling continuous operation with little to no downtime. The result is increased throughput, faster turnaround, greater reliability of results, and enhanced confidence in data quality—benefits critical to any analytical laboratory.
3. Cutting Costs and Downtime with Robust Low Maintenance ICP-OES Nebulizer. By Jerome Franks, LabTech1 Supervisor at Hunt Refining Inc. A refinery analytical laboratory processes a wide variety of petrochemical samples, from crude oil to light, heavy, and gas oils, as well as diesel and naphtha. Previously, extensive maintenance and daily cleaning were required, while frequent nebulizer blockages led to replacement of several units per month and costly downtime. Since implementation of a robust nebulizer, the laboratory has handled all sample types reliably, requiring cleaning only once every two months with no replacements. This transition eliminated recurring costs, reduced personnel workload, and significantly improved laboratory efficiency and overall operational reliability.
