Modules for Automated & Manual Mercury Testing Systems

MERX Autosampler: A 72-position autosampler provides fast and easy analysis of all calibration, quality control, and normal samples through one robust system and with minimal supervision. The MERX® Autosampler design results in a system that generates considerably less waste and requires less maintenance than a flow-through system with a gas-liquid separator. This module is included in the following systems: MERX-M, MERX-T, MERX-T-DP.

MERX Total Hg Purge & Trap Module: The purge and trap module controls all of the gas flows throughout the system. It contains the gold amalgamation traps and controls their heating and cooling. It contains the soda lime trap, which is responsible for purge gas drying and conditioning. This module is included in the following systems: MERX-T.

Model III CVAFS Detector: The Brooks Rand Model III was designed with input from leading mercury researchers from around the world to meet the most demanding analytical requirements and is cited in US EPA Methods 1631, 245.7, and 1630. With the ability to adjust the sensitivity across a broad dynamic range and with one-button auto baseline zeroing, the Model III is an incredibly stable detector that can run continuously all day without recalibration and is one of the most reliable mercury detectors in use today. Requires PC with at least one RS-232 Serial port and one USB port (can be supplied by Brooks Rand instruments or customer-supplied). This module is included in the following systems: MERX-M, MERX-T, MERX-T-DP, Methymercury Manual System, Total Mercury Manual System, Gaseous Mercury Manual System.

MERX Total Hg Direct Purge Module: The direct purge module controls gas flow to the autosampler and detector, and contains a vacuum pump, which is used to clear residual mercury vapor from the system between samples. The Nafion® gas dryer is attached to this module. To minimize the bench footprint of the system, this module was designed to fit underneath the autosampler. This module is included in the following systems: MERX-T-DP.

MERX Methyl Hg Purge & Trap Module: The purge and trap module controls all of the gas flows throughout the system. It contains Tenax traps, which capture mercury species, and controls their heating and cooling. It contains the purge vessel, where samples are transferred to be purged onto the Tenax traps. This module is included in the following systems: MERX-M.

MERX Methyl Hg GC & Pyrolysis Module: The GC and pyrolysis module contains a packed chromatographic column that separates out he mercury species from each sample, once they are released from the Tenax traps. The species emerge as separate peaks that can be individually quantified by the detector. The pyrolysis column, downstream of the chromatographic column, thermally decomposes each mercury species to elemental mercury vapor, the only form of mercury to which the detector is sensitive. This module is included in the following systems: MERX-M, Methylmercury Manual System.

Trap Desorption Module (TDM-II): Controls heating and cooling of gold amalgamation trap and carrier gas-flow through the trap and detector. Can be used with the Model III for all Method 1631 systems and for total mercury air analysis and monitoring systems. Automates analysis from gold amalgamation trap with a single keystroke from Advanced Mercury Guru™ Software. The ACM is the same footprint as the Model III and can be stacked with the Model III, thereby taking up no additional lab bench space. This module is included in the following systems: Methylmercury Manual System, Total Mercury Manual System, Gaseous Mercury Manual System.

Manual Total Hg Purge & Trap: Performs the reduction, volatilization, and trapping (using gold amalgamation) of oxidized liquid samples and controls the purge gas-flow rate. Purge and trap modules are available in a variety of sizes ranging from 1 to 5 bubbler systems to match your throughput needs and budget. The manual purge and trap module allows ultimate flexibility for the analyst. Sample specific volumes and dilutions can be carried out to reduce the risks of overloading the system with mercury and to minimize reruns. This module is included in the following systems: Total Mercury Manual System.

Manual Methyl Hg Purge & Trap: Performs the ethylation, volatilization, and trapping of prepared liquid samples and controls the purge gas flow rate. The manual purge and trap module allows ultimate flexibility for the analyst. Sample-specific volumes and dilutions can be carried out to reduce the risks of overloading the system with mercury and to minimize reruns. This module is included in the following systems: Methylmercury Manual System.

Air Calibration Unit: This module is included in the following systems: Gaseous Mercury Manual System.

Mercury Guru System Software (v4.7): Designed to control all of the MERX system modules in every configuration and process the data from the mercury detector, the Brooks Rand Mercury Guru Software provides maximum flexibility while remaining highly user-friendly.  

The software offers a choice between peak height and peak area integration, with the ability to switch back and forth between the two with on-the-fly recalculation of results. This feature, in conjunction with preprogrammed or custom quality assurance criteria, allows data interpretation and evaluation to be performed rapidly and confidently.  

Custom maintenance scheduling alerts users when routine maintenance tasks need to be performed. The automatic shutdown feature ensures that once analysis has been completed, the entire system will safely and effectively shut down, allowing unattended operation and minimizing gas and reagent use.  

Easily installed on any computer using a Windows operating system and capable of exporting data in a variety of file formats compatible with nearly any laboratory information system, Mercury Guru is a powerful tool for interpreting and reporting mercury concentrations.  

Minimum Requirements  

• Pentium® III 400 MHz processor  
• Microsoft Windows® XP or 7  
• 256MB RAM; 90MB Free Hard Drive Space  
• Serial USB x 1 and RS-232 x 1  
• CD-Rom Drive (for installation media)  
• Windows® compatible graphics printer 

 This module is included in the following systems: MERX-M, MERX-T, MERX-T-DP, Methylmercury Manual System, Total Mercury Manual System, Gaseous Mercury Manual System.