A fundamental advantage of FIA is the simplicity of the cartridges, apparatus, and methods when segmentation is not used. However, the lack of segmentation limits the ruggedness of FIA methods and requires careful adherence to flow rates, and total sample flow path volumes to avoid significant changes in throughput, dynamic range, and detection limits. SFA, on the other hand, is more forgiving in that even significant increases in total sample flow path do not adversely affect throughput, dynamic range, or detection limits. Each technique has its own advantages and deficiencies and the choice of technique for a given analysis needs to be made based on the chemistry being automated, and not solely on preference for FIA or SFA.
