PS Analytical’s mercury analysers use Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry (AFS) to deliver highly sensitive, element-specific detection of total mercury (Hg) in both liquid and gaseous samples. AFS is exceptionally sensitive (often sub-ppt detection) and largely free from matrix interferences, making it suitable for environmental, industrial and regulatory monitoring across a wide range of sample types.
These systems provide continuous, aed measurement of mercury in liquid streams — such as water, waste effluent, process liquids or hydrocarbon liquids — without the need for grab sampling. Feed streams are conditioned and digested as needed, mercury is oxidised/reduced to a measurable form, and then mercury vapour is introduced to the AFS detector for real-time quantification from ppt to ppm levels.
Designed for stack gas and combustion emissions, these continuous emission monitoring (CEM) analysers measure mercury in flue gases from power plants, incinerators and industrial stacks. Specialised sampling probes and conditioners allow representative capture and conditioning of hot, particulate-laden gas, and systems can be configured to quantify total Hg and, where required, differentiate between elemental and oxidised mercury species.
PS Analytical also offers online systems for natural gas, liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and other gaseous hydrocarbon streams using similar AFS-based detectors for real-time, unattended monitoring
Mercury speciation systems from PS Analytical allow laboratories to separate and measure specific mercury species — such as methylmercury and inorganic mercury — which is critical because organomercury forms can be much more toxic and behave differently in the environment.
To achieve this the systems combine chromatographic separation (e.g., HPLC or GC) with sensitive AFS detection. For example, in HPLC-based methods, mercury species are separated on a dedicated column, converted to Hg²⁺ post-column, reduced to elemental Hg⁰ and then detected by continuous flow AFS. With aed autosamplers and valve systems this approach yields detailed species-specific concentrations, not just total mercury.
Total Hg analysers (lab or online): quantify overall mercury content in liquids, gases or emissions, making them great for compliance, process control or environmental baseline monitoring.
Online Hg analysers: are configured for continuous, real-time measurement in industrial and environmental systems, helping catch excursions or track removal system performance.
Speciation solutions: go deeper into chemical form, so you can distinguish toxic species (like methylmercury) from less harmful ones — essential for health risk assessment and detailed fate studies.
