Question 1

How much can a lab save by switching from manual to automated SPE?

Accepted Answer

Savings depend on sample volume, batch size, analyst hourly rate, and system cost. Environmental labs processing 16 or more samples per day typically see significant labour savings due to reduced hands-on time — automated SPE requires only 15 minutes of analyst time per run versus approximately 3 hours for manual vacuum manifold operation.

Question 2

What is the payback period for an automated SPE system?

Accepted Answer

Payback period depends on your lab's sample volume and labour costs. Use the PromoChrom SPE ROI Calculator to enter your specific numbers and get a personalised estimate based on your workflow.

Question 3

What EPA methods does the PromoChrom SPE-03 support?

Accepted Answer

The PromoChrom SPE-03 supports PFAS drinking water methods including EPA 537.1 (approximately 76 minutes per 8-sample run), EPA 533 (approximately 108 minutes), and EPA 1633 (approximately 93 minutes) with 250 mL samples — all largely unattended after loading.

Question 4

How does automated SPE compare to manual SPE on a vacuum manifold?

Accepted Answer

Manual SPE on a vacuum manifold requires continuous analyst attention — typically around 3 hours of hands-on time per 8–12 sample batch. Automated SPE reduces this to approximately 15 minutes of loading time, with the system running unattended. This frees significant analyst capacity for higher-value work.

Solid Phase Extraction ROI Calculator