Access To Your Success

OPERATION GUIDE
AA-7000 FLAME MANUAL METHOD

SAP/CSC/CAM/AAS-049a
October 2009
1

SHIMADZU ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD, Customer Support Center,

79 Science Park Drive, #02-01/08, CINTECH IV, Singapore 118264.
Tel: +65-6778 6280, Fax: +65-6778 2050
There are 3 parts in this operation guide:
(A) how to set instrument configuration and default measuring
parameters (page 2)
This step should be carried out when the AA-7000 is used for the first time.
Subsequently, the user can start with step (B) or (C).
(B) how to create a template analysis file (page 3)
Template files are base files (moulds), which contain only the measuring conditions and
sequence of analysis but not analysis results. Once a template file is created, it can be
re-used repeatedly for daily analysis. Template files have .taa extension.
(C) how to use a template analysis file for analysis (page 5)
To use a template file, it is first saved as an analysis file with .aa file extension. The
analysis file is then used for analysis and to store the analysis results.

Please take note that this article is only a BRIEF operation guide and does not cover all
the functions in the WizAArd software. For complete description of all the functions, please
refer to the AA-7000 Instruction Manual provided.

Note:
The word ‘click’ means to press the left-button on the computer mouse unless specified.

How to set instrument configuration and default

measuring parameters
(1) This step should be carried out when the AA-7000 is used for the first time.

(2) On the computer desktop screen, double-click the [WizAArd] icon. When the
[WizAArd] window appears, click [Operation]. Then, click on the AA-7000 picture.

(3) When the [WizAArd Login] window appears, type ‘Admin’ in the [Login ID:] box
followed by [OK]. When the [Wizard Selection] window appears, click [Cancel].

(4) Go to [Parameters]-[Default Parameters]-[Flame Cont.].

(a) Click the [Measurement Parameters] tab and under [Repetition Sequence:], select
[SM-M-M-M-.] from pull-down list.
(b) Click the [Repeat Measurement Conditions] tab.
In the [Num. of Reps.] and [Max. Num. of Reps.] columns, enter suitable figures.
In the [RSD limit] column, enter ‘2.00’ or other suitable figures for [Standard],
[Sample] and [Reslope]. For [Blank], do not change the [RSD limit].
(c) Click the [Sequence] tab. Do not check the [Using ASC:] box.
(d) Click the [Calibration Curve Parameters] tab.

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 Under the [Conc. Unit], select the measuring unit for standard solutions used in the
calibration curve from the pull-down list.
Under [Order:], select the appropriate order of the calibration curve from the pull-
down list.
Under [Zero Intercept], check box if required.
(e) Click at the [Weight Correction Factors] tab. Under [Unit], select the measuring
unit of interest for the final sample concentration from the pull-down list.

Click [OK] to exit.

How to create a template analysis file

Below is a procedure to create a template file for the analysis of one element in many
samples.

(1) On the computer desktop screen, double-click the [WizAArd] icon. When the
[WizAArd] window appears, click [Operation]. Then, click on the AA-7000 picture.
When the [WizAArd Login] window appears, type ‘Admin’ in the [Login ID:] box
followed by [OK]. The [Wizard Selection] window appears.
If the software has been opened by user, click the [Wizard] icon at the lower left corner
of the computer screen.
In the [Wizard Selection] window, click [Element Selection] followed by [OK].

(2) In the [Element Selection] window, click [Select Elements].

In the [Cookbook] tab, select the element of interest from the pull-down list. Select
[Flame Continuous].
Check either [Normal Lamp] or [SR Lamp].
Click [OK].
If the message [None of the set lamps can be used for this setting. Are you….] appears,
click [No]. Click [Next].
When the next message [Change the parameters setting as follows. >>Select Socket…]
appears, click [Cancel].

(3) In the [Preparation Parameters] window, click [Calibration Curve Setup].

In the [Calibration Curve Setup] window, refer to the table under [Measurement
Sequence for Calibration Curve] at the bottom. Make the required changes if the
concentration of standard solutions used to generate the calibration curve is different.
To minimise drift, under [Blank Preparation Parameters], check the [Auto] box and
enter a number under the [Frequency] column.
Click [OK] to exit.

SHIMADZU ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD, Customer Support Center,

79 Science Park Drive, #02-01/08, CINTECH IV, Singapore 118264.
Tel: +65-6778 6280, Fax: +65-6778 2050
(4) In the [Preparation Parameters] window, click [Sample Group Setup].
In the [Sample Group Setup] window, refer to the [Unknown/Spike Measurement
Sequence] section at the bottom. Under [No. of Samples:], enter a number to represent
the number the samples followed by [Update].
Click [OK] to exit.

(5) In the [Preparation Parameters] window, click [Next].

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79 Science Park Drive, #02-01/08, CINTECH IV, Singapore 118264.
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(6) In the [Connect to Instrument/Send Parameters] window, click [Finish].

(7) A [Sample Table] appears. Maximise the window size for easier viewing.

(8) Click [File]-[Save].

In the [Save As] window, under [Save as type:], select [Template (*.taa)] from pull-
down list.
Select the folder to save the file in, key in a filename under [File name:] and click
[Save].

How to use a template analysis file for analysis

(1) Turn on the gases – air, acetylene and nitrous oxide (if required).

(2) Turn on the ventilation.

(3) Check that the drain bottle placed in the burner chamber is filled with water and the
drain tube is hanging freely above the water level in the waste container.

(4) Carry out inspection for the pilot flame section periodically (e.g. once a month) as
shown in the figure below.

SHIMADZU ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD, Customer Support Center,

79 Science Park Drive, #02-01/08, CINTECH IV, Singapore 118264.
Tel: +65-6778 6280, Fax: +65-6778 2050
(5) Switch on the AA-7000 and computer.

(6) On the computer desktop screen, double-click the [WizAArd] icon. When the
[WizAArd] window appears, click [Operation]. Then, click on the AA-7000 picture.
When the [WizAArd Login] window appears, type ‘Admin’ in the [Login ID:] box
followed by [OK]. The [Wizard Selection] window appears. Click [Cancel].
If the software has been opened by user, proceed to step (7).

(7) Check whether the hollow cathode lamp for the element to be analysed is in the turret.
If not, put in the correct lamp in one of the socket holder. Go to [Instrument]-[Lamp
Position Setup] to register this information. Click [OK] to exit.
6

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(8) Go to [File]-[Open]. In the [Open] window, under [Files of type:] select
[Template(*.taa)] from pull-down list. Select the template file and click [Open].
Click [File]-[Save As]. In the [Save As] window, enter a new file name in [File name:]
and click [Save].

(9) Click [Parameters]-[Edit Parameters]. If the message [No lamps could be used….]
appears, click [OK].
In the [Optics Parameters] tab, at [Socket #:], click at the pull-down list and select the
correct socket no.
Click [OK] to exit.
If the message [Line Search/Beam Balance] appears, just click [Cancel].

(10) Click [Instrument]-[Connect]. The [Initialize] window appears. Allow the initialisation
to proceed.
When the message below appears, it is only necessary to click [Purge C2H2], then
[Purge Air] and finally [Purge N2O] when the AA-7000 is used for the first time.
Click [Close] to exit.

When the message below appears, click [Yes].

When the message below appears, lift the drain sensor from the drain bottle and click
[OK].

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79 Science Park Drive, #02-01/08, CINTECH IV, Singapore 118264.
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 When the message below appears, place back the drain sensor and click [OK].

When the message below appears, ensure that air is supplied and click [OK].

When the message below appears, click [Yes] if you are using nitrous oxide-acetylene
flame or [No] for vice versa.

If [Yes] is selected in previous step, the message below appears. Ensure that nitrous
oxide gas is supplied and click [OK].

When the message below appears, click [Check it].

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79 Science Park Drive, #02-01/08, CINTECH IV, Singapore 118264.
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 When the message below appears, ensure that acetylene gas is supplied click [OK].

(11) When all the relevant items in the [Initialize] window have turned green as shown
below, click [OK].

(12) The [Instrument Check List for Flame Analysis] window as shown below appears.
Check the individual item, tick the respective box and click [OK].

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79 Science Park Drive, #02-01/08, CINTECH IV, Singapore 118264.
Tel: +65-6778 6280, Fax: +65-6778 2050
(13) Gas leak check takes about 8 minutes and the flame cannot be ignited during this time.
After 8 minutes, if there is no gas leak, the message below appears. Click [OK].

(14) Make any changes e.g. sample ID, etc in the [Sample Table] if required. To add or
insert rows, select the row of interest and go to [Edit]-[Insert Row] or -[Delete Rows].

(15) To change the view outlook properties in the [Sample Table], place the computer mouse
on the [Sample Table], click the right button and select [Properties]. Just check the
boxes that the user wishes to view. Click [OK] to exit.

(16) If user wishes to make any changes in measuring parameters, go to [Parameters]-[Edit

Parameters].
If the message [Line Search/Beam Balance] appears at any point, just click [Cancel].

(17) Click [File]-[Save] to save the changes carried out above.

(18) If N2O-C2H2 flame is used, change the original burner head to a [High Temperature
Burner Head] and turn the [Safety Key] to N2O-C2H2 mode.

(19) Go to [Instrument]-[Execute Line Search]. The [Line Search/Beam Balance] window

appears. When both [Line Search:] and [Beam Balance:] are [OK], click [Close].

(20) To ignite the flame, press at the same time both the [Green Purge] and [Blue Ignite]
buttons continuously (do not release) until the flame is ignited.
The user can rotate the burner angle to e.g. 90 degrees at this point in order to reduce the
sensitivity of analysis.

(21) It is recommended that the flame should be allowed to warm-up for about 5 minutes.

(22) Place the sampling tube in the correct solution as stated in the [Sample Table]. Wait for
the signal to stabilize and click [Start] or press [F5] or [F6] on the computer keyboard.
After the solution has been analysed, the average results would appear.
Place the sampling tube in pure water for cleaning and wait for the signal to return to
zero. If there is any drift and the absorbance readings does not go to almost ‘0’ although
the flame is clean, click [AUTO ZERO] or press [F3] on the computer keyboard.
Remove the sampling tube from water and place the sampling tube in the next solution
of interest as specified in the [Sample Table] and click [Start] or press [F5] or [F6] on
the computer keyboard.
In short, during measurement, alternate between the measured solution and water. The
water is used to remove carryover from the previous solution that was measured.

10

SHIMADZU ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD, Customer Support Center,

79 Science Park Drive, #02-01/08, CINTECH IV, Singapore 118264.
Tel: +65-6778 6280, Fax: +65-6778 2050
 When all the samples have been analysed, press the [Pink Extinguish] button to turn off
the flame.

(23) Click [File]-[Save] to save the analysis data/results.

(24) To print, go to [Print]-[Print Data/Parameter] or [Print]-[Print Table Data].

(25) To shutdown the instrument, turn off the gases. .

Click [File]-[Exit]. When the message [Communication with Instrument is to be
disconnected] appears, click [OK].
When the message below appears, click [OK].

After the WizAArd software has closed, switch off the AA-7000 and computer.

11

SHIMADZU ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD, Customer Support Center,

79 Science Park Drive, #02-01/08, CINTECH IV, Singapore 118264.
Tel: +65-6778 6280, Fax: +65-6778 2050