A sensitive, precise and reliable flow-batch method for the determination of aluminium (Al) was
developed using a sequential injection-monosegmented flow system incorporating a mixing chamber
unit. Eriochrome cyanine R (ECR) was used as a chromogenic reagent in the presence of N,N-
dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). The Al-ECR complex at pH 6 gave a maximum absorption
at 584 nm. In-line single standard calibration and a standard addition procedure were developed
employing the monosegmented flow technique. Under the optimum conditions, a linear calibration
graph in the range of 0.0075–0.625 mg L ?1 Al was obtained with limits of detection and quantitation of
0.0020 and 0.0070 mg L ?1 , respectively. Relative standard deviations were 0.8 and 1.3% for 0.010 and
0.025 mg L ?1 Al (n = 11), respectively. A sample throughput of 24 h ?1 using an in-line standard
calibration approach and 6 h ?1 using four standard addition levels was achieved. The developed system
was successfully applied to water samples and beverage samples. The results agreed well with those
obtained from the ICP-AES method. Good recoveries between 85 and 104% were obtained.