LECO 828 Series – Macro Combustion Analysis for Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Protein
The LECO 828 Series macro combustion analyzers represent an industry-leading solution for the determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and protein across a wide range of sample types. Designed for laboratories that demand high throughput, robustness, and analytical reliability, the 828 Series combines advanced hardware with the intuitive Cornerstone® touchscreen software platform to support efficient routine and research workflows.
Building on the proven performance of earlier LECO macro combustion instruments, the 828 Series introduces significant improvements in sample throughput, system uptime, and long-term operational reliability. With rapid analysis cycle times of as little as 2.8 minutes and the ability to handle macro-scale samples, the system is ideally suited for high-volume laboratories processing diverse matrices.
For expanded analytical flexibility, all 828 Series instruments can be equipped with the S832 add-on module, enabling independent sulfur determination and further extending the scope of applications supported by a single analyzer.
LECO 828 Series
Available Models
The LECO 828 Series is offered in multiple configurations to match specific analytical requirements:
- FP828 – Nitrogen and Protein Analyzer
- FP828P – Performance Nitrogen and Protein Analyzer
- CN828 – Carbon and Nitrogen Analyzer
- CNH828 – Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen Analyzer
System Options and Enhancements
To further optimize laboratory workflows, the following options are available:
- S832 add-on module for sulfur determination
- Cornerstone® Mobile for remote system monitoring
- SmartLine™ Remote Diagnostics
- Boom-mounted touchscreen monitor
- Performance Package for enhanced throughput and efficiency
Key Benefits and Performance Features
Maximized Laboratory Productivity
The 828 Series is engineered to support high sample throughput and short turnaround times. Rapid combustion and detection cycles—down to 2.8 minutes for FP and CN models—enable laboratories to analyze more samples per day without compromising data quality.
Exceptional Reliability and System Uptime
Extended reagent lifetimes and a robust mechanical design minimize unscheduled downtime and reduce the frequency of routine maintenance. This ensures stable, continuous operation even in demanding, high-volume environments.
Lower Maintenance and Operating Costs
The analyzer is designed with easy access to routine maintenance areas, allowing service tasks to be completed quickly and efficiently. The reagent-free furnace design further reduces operational costs by eliminating consumable reagents and simplifying system upkeep.
High Sample Capacity with Automated Operation
A rugged 30-position autoloader supports unattended operation, with optional expansion to accommodate up to 120 samples. This enables consistent, hands-free processing of large sample batches while minimizing operator intervention.
Operator-Focused Ergonomic Design
An ergonomic, boom-mounted touchscreen interface allows operators to control the system comfortably from a standing position. This design improves usability, reduces physical strain, and helps prevent handling errors during routine operation.
Highly Efficient Furnace Technology
The vertical quartz furnace used in the 828 Series is optimized for complete and efficient combustion. Its reagent-free design ensures consistent oxidation performance, high analytical accuracy, and long-term reliability without the need for additional consumables.
Application Areas
The versatility of the LECO 828 Series makes it suitable for a broad range of industries and sample types, including:
- Feeds, pet foods, grains, and cereals
- Milled and processed food products
- Protein-rich materials such as fermentation products, dairy whey, and cheese
- Soils, sediments, fertilizers, and plant tissue
- Waste materials, resins, polymers, biomass, coal, and coke
- Petroleum products and chemical additives
Principle of Operation
The LECO 828 Series employs a macro combustion technique using a vertical quartz furnace to determine elemental composition in a wide variety of organic matrices, including foods, feeds, soils, and fuels.
Samples are weighed into tin capsules or encapsulated in tin foil and loaded into the analyzer. Once introduced, the system executes a fully automated analytical sequence. The sample first enters a sealed purge chamber, where atmospheric gases are removed to prevent analytical interference.
Following purging, the sample is transferred into the combustion furnace and oxidized rapidly in a high-purity oxygen environment. The resulting combustion gases are then routed through the detection system. Depending on the analyzer configuration, carbon is measured as carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen as nitrogen gas (N₂), and hydrogen as hydrogen gas (H₂).
For sulfur determination, when equipped with the appropriate configuration, the system includes an afterburner stage that removes sulfur-containing compounds from the gas stream prior to detection.
This automated, high-efficiency workflow delivers excellent analytical precision, fast cycle times, and reproducible results, reinforcing the LECO 828 Series as a dependable solution for modern elemental analysis laboratories.
