Flow analysis has advantages over manual methods that include smaller sample volume and reagent consumption, greater reproducibility, and higher throughput. Typical continuous flow methods can analyze samples from 30 up to over 300 samples per hour. Normally, throughput is limited to 30 – 90 samples per hour to allow baseline resolution between samples, better detection limits, and a larger calibrated range. Since continuous flow methods (SFA and FIA) analyze every sample and standard at exactly the same time following injection into the continuously flowing stream reactions do not need to be brought to equilibrium (steady state).
