Environmental Analysis


When you don’t want a Bag for Life…. use Rheology to Investigate Polymer Biodegradability


New data from Malvern Instruments (UK) demonstrate how rheological methods can be used to investigate the speed at which biopolymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA), whose low environmental impact is a defining feature, will biodegrade and compost within landfill. The results show how rheological measurements made in the laboratory provide information about the kinetics and thermodynamics of polymer breakdown, helping accelerate the development of products that meet defined biodegradability criteria. The work is presented in a recently recorded webinar entitled ‘Using rheology to assess the biodegradability and compostability of polylactic acid’ and is freely available for download from the Malvern website.


The use of PLA is growing as its cost and performance come closer to traditional petroleum-based commodity polymers. Produced from crops, PLA offers the advantage of lower environmental impact and biodegradability is a key element of this. The lifecycle analysis of PLA, in applications such as food packaging, relies on understanding the mechanisms of product degradation, post use, and most importantly, the factors that will accelerate it, or indeed slow it down.


Rheological tests are very sensitive to small changes in the microstructure and molecular weight of polymers and are widely used in their characterisation. In the presented study, melt viscosity measurements were successfully applied to track the progressive reduction of molecular weight caused by degradation which proceeds via a process of hydrolytic chain scission. By studying PLA samples held under different conditions it is possible to assess the impact of environmental factors on the rate of polymer breakdown. The resulting information supports the optimisation of polymer properties across the product lifecycle.


Reader Reply Card No. 126 New Digital Controllers for General Application


WIKA(Germany) has now completed its portfolio of temperature controllers with two digital instruments for simple thermostat applications: The model SC58 and model SC64 close the gaps in this segment between mechanical products and complex PID instruments.


The new digital controllers are designed for a measuring range of -80 to +400 °C, and can therefore be used universally. The switch hysteresis can be set via the menu, which assists the flexibility. Both two-point controllers are equally notable for their high switching accuracy and contact rating (16 A). They are easy to use and offer a highly-visible display (13 mm high characters).


The SC58 and SC64 have the same design as the corresponding mechanical and mechatronic controllers. Users can therefore change to the digital instrument without any additional expense.


Reader Reply Card No. World’s Smallest Humidity and Temperature Sensor


At Electronica 2012 Sensirion (Switzerland) presents the world’s smallest humidity and temperature sensor, setting new standards for size, power consumption, production volume and price.


The tiny SHTC1 humidity and temperature sensor is specifically designed for mobile devices where size is a critical factor. Sensirion has rigorously followed the maxim "smaller is better” and developed the world’s smallest sensor in its class, measuring a mere 2 x 2 x 0.8 mm. The sensor is based on the proven CMOSens Technology, which allows the sensor and the signal processing electronics to be combined on a single silicon chip to achieve small device size. Production is targeted at high volume to allow low unit prices to be achieved by economy of scale. The supply voltage of 1.8 V is also fully in line


with the needs of the target industry.


The specifications of the new sensor show that the size, power consumption and price reductions do not have any impact on performance. It measures relative humidity over a range of 0 to 100 %RH with a typical accuracy of ±3 %RH. The temperature measuring range is -30 to +100 °C with a typical accuracy of ±0.3 °C. The sensor is fully calibrated, has a digital I²C interface, and is suitable for re-flow soldering. This makes it compatible with standard industrial mass production processes for electronic modules. To ensure effective integration of the sensor in complex applications, Sensirion draws on its many years of experience with sensor products deployed in the millions and supports customers with corresponding application expertise. The new SHTC1 humidity and temperature sensor combines extreme miniaturisation with top performance, and with Sensirion’s implementation support they believe it is doubtlessly a decisive step ahead of the competition.


Reader Reply Card No.


Additional Patent Notices of Allowance for Flash


Chromatography Technology


W. R. Grace & Co. (USA) announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted three additional Notices of Allowance related to the company’s Reveleris flash chromatography system. The benefits derived from these allowed claims enable streamlined purification of new chemical/biological entities for drug discovery.


These notices describe actively controlling the split flow, using chromaphoric solvents, and collecting fractions based on a wavelength range during flash chromatography. These techniques streamline purification of new chemical/biological entities during drug discovery by increasing recovery, improving reliability and simplifying instrument operation.


Grace previously announced receipt of a patent for the use of Evaporative Light Scattering Detection (ELSD) with flash chromatography, a key part of the Reveleris flash chromatography system.


Reader Reply Card No. 129 Reader Reply Card No. 130 Reader Reply Card No. 131 www.envirotech-online.com IET November / December 2012 and O2 FOS/TAC 2000 BIOGAS ANALYSIS SSM 6000 ECO


S fi lter monitoring or CH4 measurement for CHP control


special version for example H2


the classic for the discontinuous analysis of CH4


with and without gas preparation


, H2 S, CO2


SSM 6000 , H2


Wireless Solutions for Composting Process Temperature Monitoring


Wireless compost probe approved for indoor and outdoor use with mechanical protection bracket


 Radio link status indicator on Wireless node  Probe identifier with simple-to-use rotary switches


 Robust stainless steel probe (1.5 m) with 3 separate measuring points


 GORE-TEX® plug to avoid internal condensation


automatic titrator for the determination of VOA, TAC and VOA/TAC


SSM 6000 Lab


laboratory version for small sample volumes and low fl ow rates


 Battery life up to 3 years  Maximum ‘line of sight’ range of 3 km


One gateway can communicate with up to 48 wireless compost probes in a single network, with the possibility to create multiple networks without interference.


128 Developed in partnership with 127 Visit us! Hall 6 D2 | Stand 053


45


Analysentechnik GmbH & Co. KG proCAL for SSM 6000


fully automatic calibration without test gas


Groninger Straße 25 13347 Berlin / Germany Tel +49 (0)30 455 085-0 – Fax -90 info@pronova.de


www.pronova.de Banner Engineering EMEA


Park Lane, Culliganlaan 2F, 1831 Diegem, Belgium Phone +32 (2) 456 07 80 | Fax +32 (2) 456 07 89 mail@bannerengineering.com | www.bannerengineering.com/eu


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