The on-site calibration of test sieves has been further simplified by the introduction of new software from Whitehouse Scientific
The on-site calibration of test sieves has been further simplified by the introduction of new software from Whitehouse Scientific. Every sieve manufactured from 20 to 3350 microns, ranging in diameter from 40 to 450 mm, can now be unambiguously calibrated. The new programme will be provided free of charge to customers purchasing the company's calibration standards.

It allows the calculation of sieve apertures directly from the weight of glass calibration beads passing through the sieve.

To determine the mean aperture size, the operator simply selects the nominal rating of the sieve to be calibrated and enters the initial weight and the weight of the beads passing through.

Using the new programme it is possible to measure more than 80% of available apertures, with full NIST traceability, in under two minutes.

The speed, simplicity and reliability of the Whitehouse procedures have eliminated the need to return sieves to the manufacturer for recalibration.

The PA CO2 Analyser from Witt Gas Techniques is able to assist veterinarians and farmers in fighting any outbreak of bird flu by controlling CO2 concentrations
The PA CO2 Analyser from Witt Gas Techniques, the Warrington based gas safety, control, mixing and analysis equipment manufacturer, is able to assist veterinarians and farmers in fighting any outbreak of bird flu by controlling the CO2 concentration within the enclosed room being used to slaughter any contaminated poultry. In order to gas contaminated poultry reliably a constant 80% CO2 concentration is required for at least 30 minutes. In an agricultural environment it is nearly impossible to find a completely hermetically sealed room from which no gas can escape.

The PA CO2 Analyser can assist by analysing the gas concentration in the ambient air in the room where the slaughter is taking place and if the CO2 concentration reduces, more gas can immediately be pumped in.

Carl Long, General Manager at Witt Gas Techniques said: 'We have already received a number of enquiries throughout Europe about this application, in anticipation of an outbreak arising.

This analyser has other similar uses, for example it can also be used for fighting bugs in grain silos, and a number have already been sold purely for this.'

Using high-precision Photo-Electroforming technology, Tecan now offers grids for manufacturers and users of time-of-flight mass spectrometers, and for transmission/scanning electron microscopes
Further exploiting its high-precision Photo-Electroforming (PEF) technology, Tecan now offers grids for manufacturers and users of time-of-flight mass spectrometers, grids for transmission / scanning electron microscopes, and grids and meshes for similar instruments. Critical issues for users of the consumable parts are cost-effectiveness, and highly-accurate apertures and dividing bars - this is no problem for the PEF process, says the company. Grids can be produced, for example, with rectangular repeat cells, parallel slots / bars, or any required shape or combination of grid aperture and bar size.

The repeatably accurate apertures may feasibly be as small as 2 microns across to tolerances of +/- 1 micron.

Aspect ratios (the thickness of the grid compared to the aperture size) can be as high as 2:1.

The parts can be supplied to meet industry-standard requirements or cost-effectively customised for individual applications.

Typically, the burr and stress-free parts are manufactured from nickel, it is also possible to produce them in gold or copper.

Keeping manufacturing costs down, they are produced in a single process which can accommodate several grids at the same time.

In addition to grids, the company's PEF technology can produce similar parts such as graticules and reticles for applications which include optical instruments and cross-hair weapon sights.

Similarly the company can produce evaporation masks, which are used to fabricate a wide number of simple and complex micro-engineered electronic components and products in electronics, aerospace, automotive, medical and pharmaceutical markets.

A typical example being the evaporation-depositing of gold or silver contacts onto quartz crystal oscillator tracks and automotive thermocouples.

They are also used in sputtering and spray processes for the fabrication of similar components, as with displays, onto substrates such as silicon or glass, and for the deposition of a wide range of other surface finishes.

The Tecan R and D department is geared to solving the most challenging projects and welcomes joint-development initiatives to cost-effectively produce application-specific optimised parts.

Dewpoint instruments manufactured by Michell Instruments have been supplied to engineers working at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in the Ukraine, formerly part of the Soviet Union
Dewpoint instruments manufactured by Michell Instruments have been supplied to engineers working at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in the Ukraine, formerly part of the Soviet Union. Two Cermax portable dewpointmeters have been supplied via the Michell Instruments Russian distributors 'Regular Co'. One of the Cermax instruments will be used to monitor and log the dewpoint (moisture content) of instrument air, with a dewpoint of -60C.

The other instrument is to be used to monitor argon with a dewpoint of -80C.

The argon is to be used for welding and the moisture content is critical to achieve the extremely high standard of welding required in the reconstruction of a nuclear power station.

After the explosion of one of the nuclear reactors in April 1986, the policy of the authorities was to source all equipment from local (Ukrainian or Russian) equipment.

However the required specification and quality of the Cermax cannot be matched by local equipment so special dispensation was given to Regular Co, which allowed them to quote Cermax as part of the tender process, in which they were eventually successful.

The Cermax utilises the Michell Instruments Ceramic Sensor to provide accurate and stable measurement of moisture of most commonly used gases.

Features include data logging, pressure compensation and fast response.

For hazardous areas and explosive gases the Cermax IS is available, which is ATEX, FM and CSA certified.

Vaisala introduces the new Vaisala Humicap moisture and temperature transmitter series for oil, the Humicap MMT330
Vaisala introduces the new Vaisala Humicap moisture and temperature transmitter series for oil, the MMT330. The series facilitates fast, reliable, and accurate on-line measurement of moisture and temperature in oil. Moisture measurement for oil can considerably decrease maintenance costs and prolong the service lifetime of machines.

The main applications for the MMT330 are the moisture measurement of lubrication, hydraulic fluid and transformer oils.

The MMT330 measures water activity and temperature in oil.

The water activity measurement in oil offers several advantages compared to the traditional ppm-measurement.

The MMT330 provides reliable information on how close the oil is to its saturation point, ie the formation of free water.

Oil-specific calibration is not necessary, as water activity is not affected by the type or age of the oil.

Moreover, the transmitter can be ordered with a ball valve set, allowing installation and removal of the probe for calibration without draining the oil system.

The MMT330 can be ordered with a large numerical and graphical display with a multilingual menu.

With the new probe options the operating pressure range has been expanded to 250 bars.

Data logging capability and the ability to download to a PC allow the user to monitor measurement trends and up to one year of historical data.

Due to full compatibility with the Vaisala Humicap hand-held moisture in oil meter MM70, field-checking, maintaining, and calibrating the MMT330 is easy.

The Vaisala Group is a successful international technology company that develops and manufactures electronic measurement systems and equipment for meteorology, environmental sciences, traffic safety and industry.

The Easidew On-line hygrometer offers affordable dew-point measurement, it is designed to make continuous measurement of the dew point in compressed air and industrial gases reliable and accurate
Michell Instruments is proud to annouce the launch of its new on-line hygrometer. The Easidew On-line offers affordable and simple dew-point measurement and is designed to make continuous measurement of the dew point in compressed air and industrial gases reliable and accurate. The latest generation of the Easidew On-line offers many new features, including an enhanced digital display, analogue and digital outputs and dual alarm feature.

Easidew also offers measurement in C and F displayed on a large red LED monitor and operates with a universal power supply.

The Easidew On-line offers unbeatable, intelligent and interchangeable sensor technology.

The Michell Advanced Cermic Moisture Sensor is coupled with the the latest microprocessor based measurement circuitry to produce a fully calibrated sensor transmitter module.

All calibration data is stored within the memory and so sensor exchange for calibration or service can be effected in seconds.

The Easidew On-line is designed to provide you with continuous and reliable measurement of your air or gas system.

The Easidew puts intelligent dew-point control right at the measurement point, transmitting calibrated data back to the monitor unit, which can be located up to 800m away.

This means you can feel confident that the Easidew On-line will always provide you with vital, real-time information on the quality of air from your dryer system, or the gas in your process line.

The large red LED display means that you can easily determine the dew point of your process even in the most dimly lit plant.

The Easidew On-line also provides a 4-20mA analogue and RS232 digital output for connection to a chart recorder, data-logger or computer system, so you can analyse trends in dew point over time.

The dual alarms can easily be configured by the user from the instrument IP65 front panel: this makes the Easidew On-line ideal for the monitoring of desiccant dryers, or other critical applications.

As with all Michell products, the Easidew On-line is designed to the highest standards to ensure that dew-point measurements are accurate and reliable.

Michell Instruments has thirty years of experience in developing and refining sensor technology to ensure that every sensor performs to its optimum capabilties.

In order for this to be achieved each Ceramic Moisture Sensor goes through a multi-mode test and inspection process to verify its reliability and capability.

Only when the sensor has passed a variety of rigorous tests is it ready to be applied to your process control application.

Each Easidew On-line is supplied with a calibration certificate traceable to a national standards from the Michell Instruments UKAS accredited laboratory.

The Model SADPmini automatic dewpoint hygrometer from Alpha Moisture Systems sets new industry standards for portable dew point measurement equipment
The Model SADPmini automatic dewpoint hygrometer from Alpha Moisture Systems sets new industry standards for portable dew point measurement equipment. Weighing in at less than 1.2kg this innovative, compact unit is truly portable and has been designed to fit neatly in the hand. Powerful microelectronics also provide automatic calibration with on-board logging for the capture and display of up to 8000 data points, with 20 user-definable TAG references.

Password protection is provided for maximum security of all data.

Designed for the measurement of trace moisture in gases and dry compressed air, the units have applications in the power utilities, natural gas exploration and production, air treatment plants, processing of chemical and pharmaceutical products, general engineering, electrical and electronics industries, together with both plastics and metal manufacture and a wide range of research and laboratory projects.

The robust, ergonomically designed housing incorporates the moisture sensor, signal conditioning circuitry, memory management, 128x64 dot graphics diplay, 5 key membrane keyboard plus on-board rechargeable lithium ion battery, This self contained digital unit is user friendly and eliminates the problems experienced by operators and technicians with the bulky size, weight and even analogue readouts associated with the previous generation of traditional dew-point meters.

The Vaisala Humicap Hand-held Humidity and Temperature Meter HM70 is a user-friendly meter for demanding spot-checking humidity measurements
The Vaisala HM70 is a user-friendly meter for demanding spot-checking humidity measurements. The HM70 features the Vaisala advanced Humicap Technology, which is known for its accuracy, reliability and stability in industrial humidity measurement. It also supports field checking and calibration of Vaisala fixed humidity instruments.

Depending on the choice of probe, the HM70 measures relative humidity from 0 to 100 %, and temperature between -70 to +180 C.

The probe options include a long, stainless steel probe, ideal for spot-checking in ducts.

A small probe head with a 5-metre cable is available for use in difficult-to-reach areas, and for on-site calibration of Vaisala process transmitters.

Two probes can be used concurrently, including the Vaisala dewpoint and carbon dioxide probes.

The HM70 has a multilingual, user interface and a graphical LCD display with data logging capability.

The optional Windows software provides an easy-to-use interface to a PC.

An analogue output is also available.

Low power consumption provides long operation in the field.

The Drycap DMT340 Series of dewpoint transmitters has been developed for demanding industrial applications where accurate and stable dewpoint measurement is important
The Vaisala Drycap DMT340 Series of dewpoint transmitters has been developed for demanding industrial applications where accurate and stable dewpoint measurement and wide variety of options are important. As a totally new feature in this product class, the DMT340 has a large numerical and graphical display with multilingual user interface. The display allows the user to easily monitor measurement trends and up to 1-year history.

The new DMT340 series consists of four models with different installation options and covering industrial dewpoint measurements down to -60C with an accuracy of +/-2C.

The transmitter series incorporates the latest generation of Vaisala Drycap sensor, which provides accurate, reliable measurement with best long-term stability and fastest response time available in the market.

The sensor withstands condensation, which makes measurement performance unmatched for low dewpoint applications that experience water spikes in the process.

The DMT340 has a low maintenance need due to the patented auto-calibration feature.

The auto-calibration detects possible measurement inaccuracies online and automatically corrects dry-end drift in the calibration curve.

The DMT340 has a wide variety of options, including a choice of analogue outputs, serial interfaces, and alarm relays.

A choice of mains or DC power and several optional mounting accessories make the instrument easy to install.

The Promet EExd is the world's first purpose-designed, EExd flameproof-certified, process moisture analyser, and it is needed to ensure that new LNG and other gas sources provide dry gas supplies
Recent hikes in world gas prices have focused the minds of industry and politicians alike on ensuring that consumers and businesses have continuing supplies of natural gas. Increased investment in new undersea pipelines and plans to import gas by tanker as liquid natural gas (LNG) are the main ways in which the UK's gas demands are planned to be met in future. But care has to be taken with these new sources of gas to ensure that they are 'fit for purpose'.

The gas needs to be tested for a variety of potential contaminants, one of the more surprising, perhaps, being water.

If there is too much moisture in the gas, it can cause problems along the pipelines and also during downstream processing.

One of the first stages of gas processing is dehydration as gas from the wellhead is totally saturated with water and liquid hydrocarbons.

This is carried out by a dessicant drying process using liquid glycol injection in contactor towers.

If the gas is not sufficiently 'dry', it can corrode pipelines or risk hydrate formation - the combination of hydrocarbon condensates with water to form, under the high pressures experienced in gas transmission pipelines, solid crystalline hydrates.

These may line the inside wall of the pipes, reducing flow capacity, or even break off into the gas flow risking damage to process valves, filtration and compression stations, potentially blocking the pipeline.

LNG processing requires even less moisture content to be present in the gas.

This is because, at the very low temperatures and high pressures needed, any moisture present has the potential to freeze inside the cryogenic process.

This leads to ice forming which reduces production capacity and can eventually cause blockage.

In this instance, the water vapour content must be maintained at low trace moisture levels of around 0.01 ppmV, which equates to a dew point of around -100C.

So how do you measure such small traces of moisture in such difficult conditions?

Not only are the pressures and temperatures hard to handle, but natural gas is, of course, a highly flammable substance so there mustn't be any possibility of a spark.

This is the problem which Michell Instruments set out to solve with its new Promet EExd analyser.

The Promet EExd is the world's first purpose-designed, EExd flameproof-certified, process moisture analyser.

As specialists in dew point measurement for industrial, process and research applications, Michell Instruments has over 25 years' experience in satisfying the moisture measurement needs of the hydrocarbon and petrochemical industries.

Using all its experience, the company has developed a product which meets all the requirements of clients needing an installed solution in hazardous areas.

Promet EExd features EExd flameproof ATEX and CSA certification, complete zone 1 or 2 installation, and a remote interface option for mounting in a safe area if required.

The process moisture analyser also offers single- and dual-channel moisture control capability, with integrated electronic pressure measurements, within the same single field installed flameproof housing.

The remote interface option provides an advanced graphical display of measurement and status information, data logging and access to program configuration functions for up to 31 analysers.

Each analyser communicates with the remote interface through the Modbus RTU, so transferring all of the functionality of the main unit into the comfort and convenience of an indoor safe environment.

Global access to all functionality is provided through a web browser directing into the embedded website of the remote interface, so facilitating the needs of users with unmanned site and also enabling Michell to provide expert support services without the need for a site engineer visit.

As gas comes from further and further afield, gas producers and transporters can be assured that the Promet EExd will alert them to the first sign of any problems caused by that dangerous substance - water.

Camcon Technology has signed a three-year, multi project, technology and business agreement with WellDynamics, the world market leader in intelligent completion technology for the oil and gas industry
Camcon Technology has signed a three-year, multi project, technology and business agreement with WellDynamics, the world market leader in intelligent completion technology for the oil and gas industry. Camcon and WellDynamics will work together to integrate their respective technologies to produce a series of advanced well product configurations. A number of projects have already been identified spanning several different application fields in the oil sector.

Initial focus will be on developing a new range of systems for reservoir management, expanding the WellDynamics current line of solutions.

Additional development projects are anticipated during the life of the technology development agreement.

The agreement describes a working framework between the parties covering technology development through subsequent commercialisation and licensing of the products.

Under this agreement, WellDynamics will have full access to Camcon intellectual property and know how.

'This agreement is a significant step forward in the commercialisation of Camcon technology for oil field applications.

We have been working for over 2 years on demonstrating this technology for oil field applications and have recently been focussing on a route to full commercialisation.

We are delighted that WellDynamics have selected Camcon as a technology partner and we look forward to further announcements in due course,' said Ian Anderson, COO, Camcon Technology.

'With the challenges set by growing demands for energy, reservoir management is becoming an ever more critical element of the oil supply chain.

Camcon technology could provide the basis for a step-change in applying advanced reservoir monitoring and control technology across a much broader range of applications than is possible today.

This is a very good fit with our expanding portfolio of advanced well management solutions and with the wide applicability of the technology could lead to significant advances in enhanced oil recovery for maturing fields,' said Derek Mathieson, VP Technology and Marketing, WellDynamics.

Knowledge Process Solutions announces the release of a new software product for reservoir surveillance called the Oilfield Data Analyser, as a result of experience in the oil and gas sector
Knowledge Process Solutions is pleased to announce the release of a new software product for reservoir surveillance called the Oilfield Data Analyser. The product has been developed as a result of working with major companies in the oil and gas sector and is of greatest benefit to brownfields with water injection. It can be applied to fields with or without downhole instrumentation.

Using a proven and innovative technology the product rapidly analyses reservoir production and measurement data and automatically derives well to well interaction patterns such as the level of injector support for producer wells: it can help end users increase production and reduce injection costs through more effective water injection and maintenance of existing wells.

At a time of high oil prices and strong interest in enhancing oil production the analysis and monitoring capabilities of the Oilfield Data Analyser product will be of interest to service companies and end users in the oil and gas sector tasked with improved reservoir performance and production optimisation.

Knowledge Process Solutions delivers advanced performance analysis and real-time monitoring solutions for the process industries that enable users to optimise process performance and minimise abnormal operations.

An elegant solution for moisture content determination is achieved by using a Karl Fischer oven, as with this technique only the water content of the sample is transferred to the titration cell
The water content of many samples is difficult to determine because they are only slightly soluble in alcohols, contaminate the titration cell, or have side reactions with Karl Fischer reagents. Traditional methods recommend the use of toxic solvents to promote dissolution of the sample or alternatively the samples require extensive preparation procedures. A more elegant solution is achieved by using a Karl Fischer oven, as with this technique only the water content of the sample is transferred to the titration cell.

However, instead of introducing the sample into the oven by means of a sample boat, the vial technique is used, ie the sample is weighed directly into the sample vial, sealed and transferred to the oven.

Combined with the sophisticated methodology of the 832 KF Thermoprep, this results in the following improvements in analysis: Strictly reproducible analysis conditions yield results with markedly improved precision: Manual sample preparation is reduced to a minimum; Considerable time saving are made; There is no contamination of the oven or the titration cell; No carry over or memory effects; Reagent consumption is greatly reduced; Water released in the carrier gas is improved as the sample actually passes through the sample directly; Low levels of moisture are determined in the trace regions coulometrically, or in the % levels volumetrically.

The Karl Fischer oven method of water determination, using the Metrohm 774 Oven Sample Processor, measures water content and avoids many of the normal problems encountered
Many active pharmaceutical ingredients and adjuvants contain water in an adsorbed form (surface water) or bound as a hydrate (water of crystallisation). The water content of medicaments strongly influences their quality, shelf life and stability as well as the release of the active substances. The determination of water therefore assumes great importance in pharmaceutical analysis.

The European Pharmacopoeia, 4th Edition (2002), describes various methods for determining the water content of pharmaceuticals.

By far the most important method is the Karl Fischer titration.

Normally the titration is carried out volumetrically (semi-micro determination).

For substances with a very low water content a coulometric KF titration (micro-determination) is performed.

The KF oven method is used for difficult samples.

Many substances release their water only slowly or at high temperatures.

They are therefore not suitable for a direct Karl Fischer titration.

An additional problem is the low solubility of certain samples in alcohols.

In these cases traditional methods recommend the use of toxic solvents to promote dissolution or alternatively extensive sample preparation procedures.

Other substances undergo side reactions with the KF reagents, thus falsifying the result.

The European Pharmacopoeia specifies that these types of pharmaceuticals are not to be analysed by Karl Fischer titration but by determining the loss on drying in a drying cabinet or desiccator (under vacuum if necessary).

However, with this method all volatile components released at the particular temperature (e.g impurities) are determined and not specifically the water content of the substance.

By using the KF oven method the above-mentioned problems can be avoided.

The substance under investigation is heated in a tube oven and the released water is transferred by a carrier gas to the titration cell where it is determined by Karl Fischer titration.

As only the water enters the KF cell and the sample itself does not come into contact with the KF reagent, this means that unwanted side reactions and matrix effects are eliminated.

Automation of this process brings clear advantages.

The 774 Oven Sample Processor allows automation of the KF oven method.

In contrast to the conventional Karl Fischer drying oven, the samples are no longer introduced into the oven by means of a sample boat, but the vial technique is applied instead.

The substances to be analysed are weighed directly into sample vials, which are then sealed tightly and placed in the rack of the Oven Sample Processor.

For the analysis the sample vessel is moved by the turntable to the appropriate position above the oven and then lowered automatically into the heating block.

At the same time a double hollow needle pierces the septum of the vial.

Via the inlet needle a stream of dry carrier gas (air or inert gas) is passed through the heated sample.

The carrier gas, loaded with the released moisture, then flows through the outlet needle and a heated transfer tube directly into the titration cell, where the Karl Fischer water determination takes place.

Depending on the sample water content, the determination is carried out either volumetrically or, at the trace level, coulometrically.

The automation of the Karl Fischer water determination using the 774 Oven Sample Processor brings decisive advantages.

Strictly reproducible analysis conditions for all samples as demonstrated by the significantly improved repeatability of the results.

Considerably increased sample throughput and therefore improved efficiency.

Manual sample preparation is reduced to a minimum.

Considerable savings in time.

No contamination of the oven and titration cell; consequently there are no carryover and memory effects.

Much lower reagent consumption as the titration solution only requires changing at infrequent intervals.

Improved water release from the sample as the carrier gas does not just pass over the sample but directly through it.

In addition, the Oven Sample Processor allows temperature gradients to be run.

Using the recorded water-release curve, it is possible to determine the optimum analysis temperature for the particular sample.

The curve also allows statements to be made about the kinetics of water release as a function of temperature.

Some typical results are as follows.

Using the KF oven method, we analysed about 40 pharmaceuticals from the European Pharmacopoeia.

The analyses were carried out with the 774 Oven Sample Processor in combination with a 756 KF Coulometer.

The investigated pharmaceuticals were substances with a defined water content, some of which undergo side reactions with the KF reagents and therefore cannot be analysed by direct Karl Fischer titration.

As stated above, according to the Pharmacopoeia the water content of such substances must be determined by loss on drying in a drying cabinet or desiccator (under vacuum if necessary).

We used the following equipment.

774 Oven Sample Processor.

756 KF Coulometer, including KF cell without diaphragm.

728 Magnetic Stirrer.

6.5617.000 complementary equipment for automatic reagent exchange.

700 Dosino.

PC with VESUV 3.0 Metrodata software for data acquisition, storage and reprocessing.

The reagents.used were as follows.

Hydranal Coulomat AG Oven, Riedel-de Ha‰n nr34739.

Hydranal Water Standard KF Oven (potassium citrate monohydrate), Riedel-de Ha‰n nr34748.

Nitrogen as inert carrier gas.

The analytical procedure was as follows.

Between 15 and 30 mg of the pharmaceuticals to be analysed is weighed into the sample vials, which are then hermetically sealed with PTFE-coated septa.

At least a threefold determination is carried out on each substance.

Prior to each determination the complete system is conditioned until a constant low drift (approx 10 æg/min) is attained.

During this procedure the needle is located in a special conditioning vessel on the rack of the Oven Sample Processor.

In order to obtain correct results, the blank of the sample vials - i.e the moisture adhering to the vessel walls, vial cap and septum - must be determined and taken into account when calculating the water content of the samples.

This is done by analysing three empty vials at the oven temperature required for the particular sample.

The complete system is checked at regular intervals with a certified KF standard (Hydranal Water Standard KF Oven).

When selecting the temperature to be used for driving off the water, the thermal stability (instability) of the particular pharmaceutical must be taken into account as well as the fact that water is only released at a sufficiently rapid rate at temperatures above 100 deg C.

This means that the oven temperature should be chosen as high as possible to ensure short determination times, but still be 20 to 30 deg C below the decomposition temperature.

The analysis temperatures are determined on the basis of the water-release curves that were recorded for all the investigated pharmaceuticals in the temperature range 50 - 250 deg C.

In addition, all the pharmaceuticals were examined by means of a Kofler microscope and their melting points were determined.

This instrument allows the substance to be closely observed during the heating-up and melting phases; any alterations such as colour changes, sublimation or decomposition reactions can be easily recognised.

Metamizole sodium melts at 220 to 221 deg C with decomposition.

Water determination by direct volumetric or coulometric KF titration is not possible as the substance is oxidised completely or partially by iodine.

The water-release curve was recorded using a heating rate of 2 deg C/min, ie metamizole sodium was heated from 50 to 250 deg C in 100 min (= 6000 s).

The curve corresponds to the absolute amount of water released, the curve showing the associated drift.

Both the surface moisture and the water of crystallisation are released within the time interval 0 - 1600 s (50 - 103 deg C); this is indicated by the continuous increase of the red curve in this region as well as by the occurrence of the "drift peak".

The drift then falls to its original value of approx 10 æg/min and remains virtually constant for 3800 s.

Starting at 5400 s (230 deg C) both curves show a steep increase.

Evidently water is released by decomposition from this temperature onward.

A temperature from the central region of the plateau of the red curve (150 deg C) was selected as the oven temperature for determining the water content of metamizole sodium.

This ensures that the water is released quickly and completely without decomposition.

In conclusion we can say that the water contents determined with the 774 Oven Sample Processor and 756 KF Coulometer all lie within the ranges specified in the European Pharmacopoeia.

The Pharmacopoeia usually gives a very wide recovery range for the loss on drying.

In the case of quinine hydrochloride, for example, a range between 66.2 and 110.3% is specified, based on the theoretical (calculated) water content.

In contrast, the oven system yields an excellent recovery of 96.8% for this substance.

When all the investigated pharmaceuticals are considered, the recovery using the KF oven method always lies between 90 and 110%.

The repeatability of the values obtained with the oven system is also excellent.

This can be seen from the relative standard deviations, which all lie between 0.30 and a maximum of 2.0%.

When compared with the drying cabinet method, the Karl Fischer water determination using the 774 Oven Sample Processor and 756 KF Coulometer offers additional clear advantages: determinations that normally take several hours can be performed in 10 to 12 min.

In addition, the analytical procedure is completely automated.

A further bonus point is the specificity of the described method, in which only the water released by the substance is determined and not all the other volatile components released at the particular temperature.

Finally the small amount of substance required is also an advantage, this aspect being particularly important when analysing very expensive pharmaceuticals.

Whereas the determination of the loss on drying normally requires sample weights of 1 g, the KF oven method in combination with the KF Coulometer requires only 15 to 30 mg.

Moreover, as the substance is not destroyed during the water determination it can also be used in further investigations.

Hygrometrix announces the first significant breakthrough in humidity measurement in over 20 years, with the HMX3000 series Hygrotron sensor that uses shear stress/strain hygrometry
Hygrometrix, a pioneer in humidity and moisture vapour, announces the first significant breakthrough in humidity measurement in over 20 years. The new HMX3000 series humidity transmitter uses a state-of-the-art commercially available ASIC to reduce part count, eliminate costly components and increase product reliability. The ASIC also provides integral 12bit to 16bit temperature measurement.

An integral EEPROM holds the calibration data for the ASIC.

The HMX3000 utilises the Hygrometrix Hygrotron sensor for maximum performance and reliability.

The real breakthrough is the Hygrotron sensor, which has numerous advantages over conventional humidity sensors including accuracy, ruggedness and sensitivity.

Part of the ruggedness is based on the sensor's similarity to a MEMS pressure sensor.

The sensor uses a proprietary and patented technique call shear stress/strain hygrometry to measure humidity.

This 'mechanical' method of converting humidity to voltage via a 4 arm Wheatstone bridge is immune to many of the failure modes that plague other types of sensor technologies.

The key performance advantages to this sensor are: 1.5% accuracy over the full range of 0-100%RH, excellent contamination resistance, immunity to failure modes common in capacitive or resistive humidity technologies, quick response time, low (2mA) power consumption, and broad operating temperature (-40 to 85C).

This is the first major breakthrough in humidity measurement technology in over 20 years.

The new transmitter has full digital calibration and no user adjustments or setup required.

The HMX3000-RH-420 is priced in single unit quantities at US$475.

Volume discounts are available.

Delivery is 4 weeks ARO.

Contact the factory today for more information and to order.

Hygrometrix is a leader in the field of precision humidity and vapour measurement with more than 35 years of field proven products.

The new member of the Zullig datalogging generation called m-line IIS is applicable for all measuring points, where data has to be recorded and logged on site
The name Zullig stands for the manufacture of high specification measuring systems for over 90 years in the analysis and measurement of dissolved oxygen, turbidity, suspended solids, volume, level, flow, pH, ORP and conductivity as well as process control systems for industry, waste water treatment plants (WWTP) and water supplies. The new member of the Zullig datalogging generation called m-line IIS is applicable for all measuring points, where data has to be recorded and logged on site. Due to its low energy consumption, the m-line IIS is the ideal unit for field measurement points, whether mains supply is available or not.

The self-sufficient transmitter offers the following features.

* Collecting measuring points with CF Card.

* Interval or continuous measurement possible.

* Battery lifetime up to several weeks.

* Data evaluation with MS-Excel.

* Easy readable display with user-friendly menu navigation.

Equipped with optional GPRS or GMS modem, which enables communication and query via SMS, this instrument is applicable to boreholes, caverns, stormwater tanks, sewage water supplies and water quality measurements.

The recorded data can even be sent as attachment via e-mail to a PC.

AutoSam is a fully automated liquid sample handling system with simple operation: the sampling and bottling programmes can be time controlled or event controlled
AutoSam is a fully automated liquid sample handling system with simple operation. The sampling and bottling programmes can be time controlled (forced time points) or event controlled (e.g on exceeding of limit values). Sample residues and flushing solutions are caught in a separate waste vessel.

Inert materials and free programmable flushing cycles assure handling without carryover and sterility of biological samples.

The AutoSam is adaptable as a sample dispenser or multi component receiver.

The needle can be at any point in the sampling vessel.

Precise control allows targeted separation of liquids by suction to the phase interface level.

Sampling flasks with closed or slitted septa can be utilised.

Even closed sampling vessels (e.g 1.5 and 2ml-E-caps) with a thin membrane can be used.

The sample tray can be exchanged for different bottle volumes eg 10 ml to 2000 ml sample bottles.

The AutoSam is controlled via a serial interface e.g using the HiTec Zang LAB-manager.

The control is performed by a hitext-programme - or by hibatch-unit-operations.

Thus AutoSam can be easily integrated into HiTec Zang LabKit and MultiLab systems.

There are many applications.

* Bottling of samples.

* Delivery of educts or reactants.

* Quenching, mixing and diluting.

* Derivation with several reagents.

* Liquid/liquid extraction.

* For batch- und continuous processes.

* For upstream- and downstream processing.

For further details and a brochure contact Labtex.

Akzo Nobel Decorative Coatings are using an Aquamatic wastewater sampler to show they have reduced suspended solids and COD levels in treatment plant effluent from their site in Darwen, near Blackburn
Akzo Nobel Decorative Coatings, a leader in the development and manufacture of high performance coating systems, are using an Aquamatic wastewater sampler to help show that they have reduced suspended solids and COD levels at their site in Darwen, near Blackburn. The stationary sampler from Aquamatic, which has a proven, seven-year track record at Akzo Nobel, is used daily to take 24-hour composite wastewater samples from the recently upgraded site effluent treatment plant that handles wastewater from 22 emulsion paint tanks. Steve Lawrenson, Manufacturing Support Manager at Akzo Nobel, commented: 'The Aquamatic sampler has proved very reliable and robust, helping us reduce our effluent charges as part of our overall water usage and environmental programme'.

He added: 'We've never had any problems with the sampler, but have the peace of mind through an Aquamatic maintenance service contract that we are sampling to a very high standard and meeting the local discharge consent demanded by our water company'.

Situated outdoors at Akzo Nobel, the floor-mounted Aquamatic sampler incorporates a heater to provide frost protection for stored samples.