Thomas Cain ERICA automated acid handling and dilution system

The Thomas Cain ERICA automated acid handling and dilution system is an automated reagent delivery system that is claimed will increase safety and efficiency.

ERICA is designed for routine dispensing of solutions such as concentrated acids or alkalis. It aims to remove operators from hazardous situations freeing them for more productive tasks, improving accuracy and efficiency and saving time.

It can be configured for specific applications or tailored to specific needs by allowing tube sizes and volumes to be varied with custom racks. This allows direct pre-preparation for other techniques in instrument-specific tubes.

Up to eight different reagents can be connected and software selected for use and up to six standards can be prepared.

The range of reagent addition is from 0.5 mL upwards and accuracy is better than 0.025 mL or 1%. The precision of the dispensing (n=20) is better than 0.035 mL or 1%. Agitation of tubes after acid addition is available as an option.

ERICA is designed to be small in size to easily fit into standard fume hoods or an optional fume hood accessory to allow standard bench mounting is available to ensure operator safety and lower exposure to hazardous chemicals and fumes.

An automatic log of procedures is produced to simplify auditing processes.

Typical applications for ERICA include cyanide dispensing for leachability tests, preparation of samples to be used on microwave digestion systems in the microwave tubes, bottle filling and preparation of pre-preserved sample containers.