Method for operating an automated analyzer

An analyzer for determining a parameter value of a liquid, the analyzer comprising:

• measuring and control electronics;
• a chamber embodied as a measuring cell chamber and/or a reactor chamber;
• a fluid line connected to the chamber, including a valve arranged in the fluid line and configured to enable transport of a gas or a liquid in an open state and to prevent the transport of the gas or the liquid in a closed state;
• a first fluid flow path including a first valve device structured to selectively block or open the first fluid flow path, the first valve device fluidically connecting a sampling site or a sample recipient vessel to the chamber;
• a pump arranged in the first fluid flow path;
• and
• a second fluid flow path including a second valve device structured to selectively block or open the second fluid flow path, and the second valve device fluidically connecting the chamber to a gas reservoir,
• wherein the measuring and control electronics are configured to control the analyzer, including the pump, valve, first valve device and second valve device, to:
• transport a first volume of a liquid containing a plurality of particles into the chamber along the first fluid flow path using the pump;
• transport at least one reagent into the chamber;
• detect at least one measured value of a measurand of a reaction mixture formed in the chamber from the first volume of the liquid and the at least one reagent, the measurand correlated to a parameter value of the liquid;
• drain the reaction mixture from the chamber through the fluid line and through the valve arranged in the fluid line, wherein the valve is configured to selectively block and enable fluid transport through the fluid line to and from the chamber;
• subsequently transport a second volume of the liquid containing a plurality of particles into the chamber via the fluid line, the second volume taken from a same source as the first volume;
• introduce a gas or gas mixture from the gas reservoir along the second fluid flow path and through the fluid line via the valve into the chamber and through the liquid present in the chamber such that the particles in the liquid are stirred up and dislodged from an opening of the fluid line into the chamber;
• and
• drain at least a portion of the liquid from the chamber through the fluid line and through the valve arranged in the fluid line,
• wherein the fluid line, via which the liquid is drained from the chamber, is further used for the transporting of the liquid containing the plurality of particles into the chamber, and wherein both the first fluid flow path and the second fluid flow path include the fluid line and the valve.