Automated in-process ratio mass spectrometry

摘要

In one embodiment, a method of analysis of a solution is provided including the acts of: (a) mixing a spike with a sample of the solution to allow equilibrium to occur therebetween; (b) ionizing the equilibrated diluted sample and spike in an atmospheric pressure ionizer (API) to produce ions; (c) processing the ions in a mass spectrometer to provide a ratio response; (d) characterizing the concentration of a constituent in the sample using the ratio response; and (e) cyclically repeating acts (a) through (d) under machine control to automatically monitor the concentration of the constituent in the solution over time.