Process control and drug analysis with an on-line capillary electrophoresis system

Inorganic and organic ions in pulp and paper process waters and drug mixtures were studied. Real-time measurements and on-line simulated analyses were made. A novel on-line capillary electrophoresis instrument equipped with a fixed wavelength UV detector having a 254-nm filter was used for the analysis. Three dynamic sample and electrolyte micromodules provided on-line sampling, sample introduction and solution feedings. The system was used to monitor process samples containing thiosulphate, chloride, sulphate, oxalate, acetate and carbonate. It approved good performance in separation of ethacrynic acid, furosemide, probenic, bumetanide and hydrochlorothiazide as well as that of normethanephrine, methanephrine and dopamine standard mixtures. The LOD and LOQ values of the ions and drugs ranged from 0.1 to 1 mg/l for LOD and from 1 to 10 mg/l for LOQ. Sensitivity of the drugs was higher due to the single wavelength available in the syste,. It required that the drugs were to be identified by indirect UV detection. Repeatibility of the analyses was good (RSD% below 5).