44 Flowmeter Solutions for High-Speed Batch Dosing


A white paper published by Titan Enterprises reports on an investigation into the use of electronic flow meters in high-speed batching processes. High-speed batch dosing in filling lines, typically seen within the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, is a modern process that increases production throughput and efficiency, as well as saving on cleaning costs associated with traditional batching processes.


Historically, small turbine flowmeters have satisfied markets where reasonable volume batching is used, such as beer wall dispensing or ultra-pure water dispensing. These flow measurement devices have excellent response times and are highly effective for low viscosity dosing systems. However, turbine flowmeters do have moving parts within the flow line which can limit the life of the flow device due to mechanical wear and tear. Mechanical devices also require hygienic cleaning which adds to downtime and associated cost implications.


For processes requiring high-speed integrated batch dosing, ultrasonic flow meters, such as Titan’s Atrato® flow meter, provide an easy-to-clean system with no


moving parts. However, as with all electronic flow devices, there is a trade-off between response time and affordability. Titan’s white paper highlights some of the issues raised when using electronic flow meters for high-speed batching. The aim of the investigative trials was to


, to resolve these and achieve a cost-effective solution for high accuracy, rapid batch control. Significant increases in high-speed batching performance were shown using the Atrato®


determine the optimum results for high-speed (at sub three second) batching using an electronic flow meter that can be achieved with an accuracy higher than ±0.5%. Titan worked with their ultrasonic device, the Atrato®


ultrasonic flowmeter, together with bespoke AI learning software, and an appropriate system set-up in laboratory conditions.


Neil Hannay, Titan’s Senior R&D Engineer, said: “Our Research and Development is driven by helping our customers address challenges within their process systems. This could be enhancing existing technology and performance, trialling different materials and characteristics, or designing new flow measurement devices to meet specific customer needs and liquid flow conditions.”


Through its on-going customer-focused R&D, Titan is optimising its flow meter product line to develop solutions for OEM customer applications and general industry systems. Read the full article on High-Speed Batching: ilmt.co/PL/QBxW More information online: ilmt.co/PL/VBad


Developing Environmentally Friendly Catalysts for Biorenewable Chemicals Production


Asynt reports how the Process Intensification Group, within the School of Engineering at Newcastle University, UK is using the MultiCell-PLUS High-Pressure Reactor as part of their program of ongoing research to create a new environmentally friendly generation of catalysts for production of biorenewable chemicals.


Dr Fernando Russo Abegão, a Lecturer from the Process Intensification Group, said: “In order to develop our new generation of catalysts we needed to be able to screen a high number of samples, often at high pressure and temperature. In the past we only had isolated autoclaves in the lab. These weren’t ideal for screening as they required large amounts of catalysts for testing, and we could only perform one reaction at a time. To be effective we required an instrumental set-up that could provide a fast turnaround, allowing us to quickly test, rationalise, and identify optimal catalyst formulations.”


Dr Kamelia Boodhoo, a Reader in Sustainable Process Technology, added: “We wanted to ensure that we selected a high-pressure reactor system that was well stirred to keep the particles in suspension at all times, reducing mass transfer limitations. We looked at various commercially available high-pressure reactors and chose the MultiCell-PLUS system from Asynt as it incorporated parallel agitated reactors with automatic temperature and pressure control. Using this versatile, high-performance system we have already successfully developed a new generation of ‘greener’ catalysts for dehydration of C5 and C6 sugars into furans. Looking to the future, our plan is also to use the MultiCell-PLUS for screening of solvents and process conditions.”


The Multicell-PLUS was developed by Asynt to provide scientists with a flexible and customisable device for high throughput screening of chemical reactions under high pressure. The reactor allows users to set up a multitude of experimental conditions in each of its 8 reaction cells, ideal for optimisation and screening investigations. Manufactured from 316 stainless steel, the Multicell-PLUS standard unit operates up to 50 barg and up to 200ºC. For more demanding and corrosive chemistries, there are options for alternative alloys and for increased operational conditions up to 200 barg and 300ºC. Motor-driven magnetically coupled overhead stirring is also offered as an option for reactions involving particulate suspensions or viscous reaction mixtures. With its own safety-locking mechanism and adjustable support lifting platform, the Multicell-PLUS high-pressure reactor sets a new benchmark for operator safety, all-round accessibility, and ease-of-use.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/DDw2 57144pr@reply-direct.com Tips and Tricks for Precision Pipetting


Correct liquid handling techniques ensure consistently high reproducibility and reliability, yet some researchers still have bad habits that lead to inconsistencies, even if protocols are performed the same way every time. While the emphasis of quality assurance measures has typically been on pipette calibration, repair and maintenance, ensuring consistent pipetting technique is just as pivotal to the efficiency of workflows and the success of projects.


A new series of videos is available from Integra Biosciences to help life sciences researchers improve pipetting accuracy and precision. Distilling decades of combined experience into easy-to-follow guides, these videos are designed to help researchers understand when and how to use both manual and electronic pipettes, as well as covering techniques for pre-wetting, ‘problem liquids’ and basic pipette maintenance.


This new video series highlights the factors operators need to consider to ensure results are not affected by common liquid handling errors. For example, when and where to use manual or electronic pipettes, how and when to properly pre-wet pipette tips to reduce liquid loss, the importance of maintaining a


consistent pipetting angle during each aspiration, as well as when these rules don’t apply! The series also covers regular maintenance – another key factor to ensure the highest accuracy and precision for the lifespan of your pipette – including how to store when not in use, regular cleaning practices, leak testing and calibrations.


Visit the Integra Biosciences website to watch the entire video series and download a pipetting tips and tricks poster for your lab workspace. More information online: ilmt.co/PL/v639


57249pr@reply-direct.com Sample Management of Covid-19 Cryobox Tube Racks


Ziath reports on the widespread adoption of its DataPaq™ Cube rack reader in Covid-19 testing labs for tracking of sample tubes cryogenically stored in cryoboxes. Keeping track of large numbers of Covid-19 RNA extraction samples can be an onerous task. Many labs around the world are using 2ml screw cap tubes with 2D-barcodes on the base for this work, including those laboratories equipped through the successful UN/IAEA supply program.


Screw cap tubes with 2D barcodes are widely available from many different manufacturers and are supplied in cryoboxes which can hold eighty-one 2ml tubes or up to 100 smaller tubes in a 13 x 13cm square format.


Performance optimised for this rack size, the DataPaq™ Cube has pre-loaded sample management templates which can be selected for the 81-, 100-, 121- or 196- tube cryobox formats supplied by various manufacturers.


Special pre-cut ‘masks’ enable the DataPaq™ Cube to firmly hold cryoboxes of different formats and from various suppliers, as these can sometimes differ slightly in their outer dimensions. Reading a full cryobox of 100 Covid-19 sample tubes and decoding their barcodes takes only 1 second for the full rack using Ziath’s latest AI-powered DP5 software.


The resultant Covid-19 sample tube barcodes are displayed in tabular format together with a useful image showing the successfully decoded tubes. This important data can be exported as .csv, .png, .txt, .xls, .pdf or Python format to any connected LIMS or inventory management system such as Ziath’s Samples software program.


Learn more about the DataPaq™ Cube rack reader and Covid-19 sample tracking packages from Ziath. More information online: ilmt.co/PL/WL5a and ilmt.co/PL/ejPG


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INTERNATIONAL LABMATE - APRIL 2022


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