Spectrophotometer for chemical analyses of fluids

A method of analyzing fluids in situ and in real time comprising:

• immersing an analytical device in a fluid wherein the analytical device comprises a pulsed light source, a light detector, a water-tight pressure case that houses the pulsed light source and the light detector, a flow-through cell comprising a plurality of tubes that are removably attached to each other and which define a volume that acts as a passageway to conduct a stream of fluid, and first and second bifurcated optic fibers, the first optic fiber transmitting light from the pulsed light source to the flow-through cell, and the second optic fiber transmitting light emitted in the flow-through cell to the detector;
• flowing the fluid through at least one of the plurality of tubes such that the fluid contacts at least one reagent housed in the plurality of tubes in such a manner that the reagent(s) react with one or more particular analytes carried by the fluid;
• after the flowing, irradiating the fluid with excitation light;
• and
• determining the intensity of fluorescent light emitted from the fluid.

An apparatus for analyses of fluids comprising:

• a flow-through cell;
• a spectrophotometer comprising a pulsed light source, a detector, and first and second bifurcated optic fibers, the first optic fiber transmitting light from the pulsed light source to the flow-through cell, and the second optic fiber transmitting light emitted in the flow-through cell to the detector;
• and
• a water-tight pressure case that houses the pulsed light source and the detector.

An analytical device for determining manganese (II) concentrations in fluids comprising:

• a flow-through cell comprising a plurality of tubes that are removably attached to each other, the tubes together defining a volume which acts as a passageway to conduct a stream of fluid, the tubes housing at least one reagent that dissolves or is suspended in the fluid conducted through the passageway;
• a spectrophotometer comprising a pulsed-light source, a light detector, and bifurcated first and second optic fibers, the first optic fiber transmitting light to the flow-through cell and the second optic fiber transmitting light emitted in the flow-through cell to the detector;
• and
• a water-tight pressure case that houses the pulsed light source and the light detector.

An apparatus for measuring real time manganese (II) ion concentration in water comprising:

• a flow-through cell comprising a first and second tube, the first and second tubes being removably attached to one another and defining a volume which acts as a passageway to conduct water, the first tube containing a plurality of beads adapted to release potassium periodate into the water flowing through the passageway, and the second tube adapted to release N,N-diethylaniline into the water flowing through the passageway;
• a spectrophotometer comprising a pulsed light source, a light detector and first and second bifurcated optic fibers, the first optic fiber transmitting light from the pulsed light source to the flow-through cell, and the second fiber transmitting light emitted in the flow-through cell to the detector;
• a water-tight pressure case that houses the pulsed light source and the light detector;
• communication means that link the apparatus to a control center;
• and
• control means located in the control center for sending, receiving and interpreting signals from the apparatus.