32
Analytical Instrumentation
Sustainable Calibrations... Green Talk or Wishful Tinking?
Not at European Lab Services! In Spring 2009 Photovoltaic panels were installed on the ELS main office in Steendorp, Belgium. This was the latest step on their sustainable business ladder. From the start there has been a strong focus on quality and service at ELS.
The main beneficiaries from this are, of course, the customers. ELS think beyond just today’s business; they also take care of the future. ELS do not only want to built up long term relationships with their customers, they also take up their responsibility for the future generations to come. ELS wish to offer ISO 17025 performance for many decennia to come!
We succeed in this by reducing the use of resources. This starts from using recycled paper and packaging, computers with low power LED screens, reduce energy consumption by high level building isolation, light management and now solar energy.
Since the activity of the Photovoltaic installation, electricity consumption is reduced to near zero.
ELS’ calibration lab runs on 100 % solar power. A fixed percentage of their profit is donated to non profit organisations. ELS have selected a number of societies and projects around the world that they support on a long term basis. It is important for ELS customers to know that their business helps European Lab Services to help people. Also, this is sustainable business helping people to develop in future years. In Steendorp, they really can say that they are putting a ray of sunshine into your instruments!
Reader Reply Card No Test Gas Blender
Kin-Tek’s (USA) AutoBlend™ is a computer-controlled, multi-channel gas blending system for supplying a continuous flow of adjustable composition test gas mixture. Applications include sensor evaluation, analytical methods development and validation, contaminant effects testing, catalyst testing, odor simulation, gas filter testing and other applications requiring complex test gas mixtures.
The system can add multiple trace concentration components to a flowing gas stream. Permeation tubes are used to add trace components to the gas mixture. Concentrations from hundreds of parts-per- million down to low parts-per-trillion can be added. Component concentrations can be varied independently, making the AutoBlend™ an ideal tool for conducting statistically designed test programs.
The AutoBlend™ features six independently controlled permeation channels. Each channel can contain up to 8 compounds for a total of 48 compounds. Additionally, there are two dynamic headspace channels that allow controlled addition of common environmental background vapors. Mixtures can be supplied dry or humidified and can be delivered at up to 20 psig pressure. The concentration of each component is traceable to NIST through physical standards.
Permeation tubes installed in each channel emit a small, precisely known flow of each component compound. Permeate from each tube mixes with a carrier gas flow to form a base mixture for each channel. The computer system controls the proportionate combination of flow from the various channels with a precisely controlled dilution flow to form the mixture. Mixture composition can be adjusted to suit application requirements.
Reader Reply Card No 90 89 A Touch of Genius
In what has been a year of opportunity for visionary science led companies, it is comforting to report that innovation is alive and well, not only in the multi nationals, but, in some of the smaller scientific businesses also.
Peak Scientific Instruments (UK), the global gas generator manufacturer has enjoyed a buoyant year fueled, behind the scenes, by a desire to improve its products and become a ‘best of breed’ manufacturer.
To accelerate this period of product development and growth the company has given itself a bold brand makeover by modernising its highly recognisable Pyramid brand mark and emboldening its Logotype to stand it in good stead as the company gears up for a new assault on fresh and existing customer bases.
Simultaneously, the company has taken huge steps in improving the quality and functionality of its generators. Peak engineers have re- designed its core range of Nitrogen gas generators and implemented a series of highly beneficial improvements unique to the marketplace. These improvements include ingenious little touches that reduce vibration and noise.
The new range overall includes four models. ‘Genius NM32LA’ is the smarter brother of the NM30LA. The new model can now fulfill the requirements – pure nitrogen - for almost all LCMS Models available in the market today. The new ‘Genius NM32LA’ removes oxygen, moisture and other gases to leave clean, dry phthalate free Nitrogen. Two internal air compressors make this model independent from in- house air supplies. Fitted castors allow the unit to nimbly fit into tight lab spaces and the unit has been approved by major mass spec manufacturers for their LCMS applications.
The ‘Genius NM-3G’ has been re-designed with additional compressor capacity. This allows the generator to cycle the compressors more frequently, maximising compressor life. The smart in- built Alert System warns the users of any impending issues but manages the compressors to maintain a full output flow for the generator. It also has anti vibration, low noise, improved drainage and is safer to use.
Two models of the new range fit into the 'High Value’ bracket and replace previous generator designs while the remaining two models are technically advanced, particularly in terms of safeguards, and fall emphatically into the Premium category. These safeguards are unique to Peak Scientific generators and effectively deliver ‘reassurance and confidence for critical functions’. The safeguard technology works by having three internal compressors instead of two. The spare compressor can take on the work load if one of the others fail, ensuring that a constant outlet flow and pressure of nitrogen is maintained. This guarantees the customer an uninterrupted supply of gas even if there is a technical problem.
The generator can then be repaired without the customer ever experiencing 'down-time' or going without gas. This is an excellent facility for critical environments. The additional compressor capacity also facilitates a better duty cycling of the compressors, thus prolonging compressor life.
The 'High Value' versions are now smaller in size and fit unobtrusively under a standard lab bench. We have reduced the noise emitted from the internal compressors to offer less acoustic pollution to the customer. Vibration and heat emissions have also been reduced to an absolute minimum. The new models feature ‘alert’ and ‘service due’ LEDs to make the customer aware of problems and service requirements. They also offer a 230v single phase plug and play system and are easy to install.
The ‘Genius’ models all come on castors to fit easily under standard lab benches and feature improved sound insulation for quieter operation.
The Premium generators also come with a PLC and integrated fault diagnosis, alarm and control panels. The new model has been tested in the field for over 1 year to ensure the design is sound and ultra-reliable.
Max operating temperature has been raised to 30 degrees centigrade and to prevent failure due to usage in excessive ambient temperatures, the system now features a thermostat measuring ambient temperature. This causes the system to alarm if the generator has been running in such an environment for too long a period (thus preventing system damage).
These design-led improvements, that we lovingly refer to internally as ‘tinkering’, are the result of in-depth product analysis, customer feedback and Peak Scientific’s desire to innovate and be market leaders. They have sourced high performance, robust parts and incorporated these into the generators construction. The compressors are stored in a separate compartment, which is well insulated to reduce noise. Heat generated by the compressors is not just vented, but utilized to re-heat the air going into the membranes, reducing the risk of condensation and moisture build up.
They have designed a lot of other clever improvements, such as improving internal layout for more efficient operation and easier access for maintenance. In a nutshell, the Peak Scientific ‘Genius’ range offers lots more reliability which means virtually no downtime, they are more robust, quieter, give off less vibration and they take up less room in the Lab.
Reader Reply Card No 92 Reader Reply Card No 91
June/July 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
