Universal titrator with intelligent sensors and advanced liquid handling Thanks to the most advanced electronics Metrohm has been able to reduce the measuring amplifier to the size of a postage stamp. This means that the complete measuring amplifier fits in the electrode cable head. Directly in the sensor, the analogue/digital converter of the latest generation in the iConnect converts the analogue measuring signal into a digital data flow.

Digital data transmission means that the measuring signal is no longer susceptible to electrostatic influences.

The 854 iConnect is electrode cable and measuring amplifier in one.

Therefore the sensor and measuring amplifier are always calibrated together and the calibration data stored in the intelligent electrode.

As the measuring amplifier is no longer built into the instrument, the electrode and iConnect can be used together with different titrators.

The calibration procedure is no longer associated with a particular titrator.

Further advantages:.

* Touch Control with large colour screen.

* Automatic electrode recognition with intelligent sensors.

* iConnect - measuring amplifier with digital data transmission through any length of cable.

* Intuitive operation.

* Intelligent dosing elements.

* Potentiometric, Karl Fischer and STAT titration.

* Monitored dosing in synthesis labs.

* Uninterrupted dosing in tandem operation.

* Sample Processor control.

* Client-server database.

* Parallel titration.

* Lab Link for data transmission via Intranet.

* Context-sensitive online help.

* Liquid handling with the unique Dosino.

* Complies with GMP/GLP and FDA regulations such as 21 CFR Part 11 * USB interfaces for sample changer, printer, PC keyboard, barcode reader, Bluetooth, Lab Link.

* Wireless communication via Bluetooth for printer and balance.

Intelligence in miniature in the form of an inconspicuous data chip makes this possible.

This chip is present in every 807 Dosing Unit.

The Titrando automatically reads from it all the data that it needs to carry out the titration properly, i.e type of reagent, titer, last titer determination, shelf-life data and much more.

In addition, the Titrando compares the data it has obtained with the selected method and carries out a plausibility test.

854 iConnect - electrode cable and measuring amplifier for intelligent electrodes (iTrodes).

Directly in the sensor, the analogue/digital converter of the latest generation in the 854 iConnect converts the analogue measuring signal into a digital data flow.

Digital data transmission means that the measuring signal is no longer susceptible to electrostatic influences.

Interference-free transmission can now always be guaranteed, no matter how long the electrode cable.

Just take the measuring amplifier with you! With the 854 iConnect the sensor and measuring amplifier are always calibrated together and the calibration data stored in the intelligent electrode.

As the measuring amplifier is no longer built into the instrument, the electrode and 854 iConnect can be used together with different titrators.

The calibration procedure is no longer associated with a particular titrator.

The iTrodes - electrodes with brains.

The electrode used for the titration is really the most important component of any titration system, and until now it has been just this electrode that has formed the last gap in traceability.

The 857 Titrando with iConnect now closes this gap and therefore guarantees complete traceability of the analytical result to each component participating in the analysis.

iConnect and iTrode prevent the use of an incorrect electrode, and the use of an electrode whose calibration period or working life has expired.

The 854 iConnect is electrode cable and measuring amplifier in one.

The iTrodes of the new intelligent electrode generation confirm the Metrohm leadership in the field of potentiometric titration.

The built-in memory chip allows the storage of such important sensor data as article and serial numbers, calibration data, calibration history, working life and calibration validity period.

All the sensor data are read in automatically when the iTrode is connected to the 857 Titrando.

Mix-ups or editing errors are therefore eliminated.

The electrode is identified automatically.

If the type of electrode is not the same as that defined in the method then the user is informed.

This means that it is not possible to use an incorrect electrode.

Monitoring functions allow the exclusion of electrodes whose calibration data lie outside the limits or whose calibration period has already expired.

If the sensor is used with different instruments or if you wish to prevent inexperienced users from having to calibrate the electrode on their own instruments then the electrode can be calibrated on a different instrument under defined conditions.

The calibration data stored in the chip make the electrode transferable; it does not need to be recalibrated each time that it is used with a different instrument.

Despite its new digital measuring interface and intelligent sensors, the 857 Titrando with combined analogue and digital measuring amplifier (2.857.0020) also supports conventional sensors.

The Viscolite portable viscometer from Hydramotion has dramatically reduced viscosity testing times for researchers at the Faeroese Fisheries Laboratory in Torshavn, Faeroe Islands. Processing Technology Research Manager Helgi Nolsoe is investigating the solubility of fish proteins in water. It is important to check the viscosity of the solution, as this directly affects pumping speed and efficiency.

The Viscolite stood out from other viscometers for its practical convenience and rapid response.

'We can use our time more effectively,' commented Mr Nolsoe: 'Taking a measurement with the Viscolite only takes about ten per cent of the time that you need with other viscometers'.

The unique Hydramotion technology enables the Viscolite to be used in containers of any size, from a cup to a tank.

This means that the sample size can be reduced without affecting the results.

'Other viscometers need more fluid, while with the Viscolite, the samples are smaller,' said Mr Nolsoe.

The Viscolite is factory-calibrated and does not need any calibration by the user.

No delicate or expensive accessories are required, and there are no moving parts, seals or bearings which can wear out or fail in service, so the instrument requires practically no maintenance.

A further advantage is that the sensor is just a single solid probe.

To operate, the user simply immerses the probe into the sample and notes the reading on the display unit.

The probe can then be cleaned in a few seconds by wiping with a cloth or towel.

'It is very easy to clean.

RheoSense has introduced a new line of chip-based viscosity measurement instruments for precise and repeatable characterisation of various liquids. These new Viscometers-on-a-Chip (type VSS) eliminate the need to send samples for accurate viscosity measurements to an off-site laboratory for batch-to-batch consistency checks. Further, confusion in data interpretation encountered when comparing results from different viscosity measurement systems to laboratory instrument data is no longer a factor as the chip measures the 'true viscosity' and user-friendliness eliminates operator dependent measurement errors.

The result is a significant reduction in hidden operational costs from improved efficiency in quality control and decision making.

The chip measures the viscosity and the temperature as the test liquid flows through a micro-channel on the chip and an integrated micro slit rheometer.

Non-Newtonian viscosity is accurately extracted by a rigorous 2D 'Rabinowitch correction', which is automatically performed after each measurement.

The chip then sends measurement data for data display and analysis to a microcontroller based read-out circuit, which communicates to a computer through RS232 or USB ports.

The result is a measured material viscosity identical to that produced by sophisticated laboratory rheometers.

A precise liquid dispensing pump is supplied as an integral part of the system or if an accurate dispensing system is already in place, then all that is required is to simply integrate the chip into the flow path lines.

Wide shear rate ranges up to one million(1/s) can be measured over a range from 0.005-10,000 Poise.'Higher viscosity can be also measured with stiffer chips.

Small sample volumes as low as 20microLitres can be handled easily.

For applications where the viscosity of the test liquid is constant or varies slightly, the chip can be adjusted to read the flow rate (flow sensor) instead.

If repeated quality control measurements are required, an application specific custom design is available.

For Polyacryl Iran Corporation, the benefits of the Hydramotion XL7 on-line viscometer were evident as soon as it was installed: the acrylic fibre quality is now tightly controlled

Founded in August 1974, Polyacryl Iran Corporation is the largest and most advanced man-made fibre manufacturer in Iran, producing over 95000 tonnes of polyester and acrylic fibre each year. Acrylic fibre is easily washed, resistant to oils and chemicals, readily dyeable and quick drying - properties which make it very suitable for a wide range of knitted, woven and pile fabrics for clothing, blankets, upholstery, carpets, hosiery, sail covers and many other materials. Polyacryl Iran produces acrylic fibre by dissolving a precise quantity of polyacrylonitrile powder in dimethylformamide and extruding the solution through a spinneret (die).

As the polymer solution leaves the spinneret the solvent is evaporated by heated nitrogen, so the fibres solidify and can be collected on a take-up wheel.

The viscosity of the polymer solution is a direct reflection of its polyacrylonitrile content, which determines the properties of the product fibre.

Viscosity can therefore be used as a control parameter to ensure that the composition of the solution is correct.

Before discovering Hydramotion, Polyacryl Iran was having trouble with viscosity measurement.

Not only was the company's previous instrument inaccurate, it also required constant maintenance and frequent repair, which made it an expensive part of the process.

Hydramotion supplied two XL7-103 on-line viscometers, both of which have been integrated into the process control system.

Although the polymer solution is highly viscous (up to 300,000 centipoise), these high-range instruments have given Polyacryl exactly what it needed: a reliable means of keeping the percentage of polyacrylonitrile in the solution to within the required +/-0.5%.

'The installation was very easy', commented Dr R Saghafian of Polyacryl Iran, 'and the viscometer itself is very easy to use'.

With the 'fit-and-forget' XL7 units in place, the composition of the polymer solution is now tightly controlled.

The 'Process Lab' range of instruments, a new 'At-line' range of field analysers to expand the success of the Titrando range of laboratory titrators, is now available from Metrohm

Metrohm UK launch the 'Process Lab' range of instruments, a new 'At-line' range of field analysers to expand the success of the Titrando range of laboratory titrators: this means that Metrohm are the only company to offer the complete range of chemical analysis instrumentation for laboratory, at-line and also fully on-line. The system uses well established Metrohm hardware and software, including the Titrando Titrator and Tiamo Software. The advantages to the process industry are the industrial PC and I/O controller, enabling information to be sent to process control systems.

Analysis techniques available include: Direct measurement : pH, Redox, conductivity and ISE (standard addition); titration : dynamic, monotonic, set end point and volumetric KF; Sample preparation : Liquid handling, dilutions, extractions and filtrations; integration of other techniques : density, refractive index, viscosity.

The Process Lab is a complete solution for the process industry able to carry out complex laboratory analysis at the touch of a button.

The Zullig dissolved oxygen probe S-14, installed on unmanned lightships and measuring platforms in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, has now been operating successfully for a number of years. It measures the content of oxygen in layers of water at different depths. Data are transmitted directly via satellite to a data centre located at Hamburg, Germany, and provide information about the ecological situation of both seas and the biological living conditions associated with them.

The main difficulty with measurements in sea water is related to its high content of salt resulting in aggressive corrosion of materials exposed to it.

These adverse conditions exclude the use of membrane sensors.

The Zullig S-14 probe, based on galvanic technology, is the only dissolved oxygen sensor that defies the harsh environment of the seas and meets all measurement requirements without limitations.

In addition to corrosion, the probes are exposed to strong biological fouling caused by mussels which can attach themselves so quickly and in such numbers that the original shape of the probe cannot be recognized after only a few days.

However, because of the continuous self-cleaning rotating grindstone, the availability of measurement data is guaranteed.

Daily use confirms that the Zullig dissolved oxygen probe S-14 is extremely rugged and a low maintenance measuring system unsurpassed by any other sensor.

The new 6.0256.100 flat-membrane pH glass electrode has been designed for pH measurement on surfaces. It is, however, also perfectly suited for titration. Thanks to the very small immersion depth of 1 mm, you only require a few millilitres of sample - sample dilution is no longer necessary.

This means less solvent is needed and less waste has to be taken care of.

The glass membrane of the new flat-membrane pH electrode and its ground-sleeve diaphragm are very close to each other.

This significantly reduces the measurement error and prevents memory effects that would be caused by cavities between the glass membrane and other electrode components.

The long life reference system gives outstanding long-term stability for pH surface measurements in the paper, textile and food industries for pH measurement .

Advanced Supplies introduces a new, in-line sensor for monitoring the pH of water based inks, adhesives and coatings that features a patented chamber design to prolong probe life and efficiency

A new, in-line sensor for monitoring the pH of water based inks, adhesives and coatings and featuring a patented chamber design which prolongs probe life and efficiency is being introduced in the UK and Ireland by Advanced Supplies. The Norcross In-Line pH Sensor installs directly in a fluid line to monitor pH and incorporates a transmitter, which converts its mV signal to 4-20 mA for transmission to a controller. Featuring a flat tip probe with a glass insert, this sensor has a patented integral reservoir which traps fluid to keep the probe tip wet during job changes and prevent drying out; a problem which often reduces or destroys the effectiveness of conventional sensors.

Suitable for any process where pH is an important parameter to be measured and controlled, the Norcross In-Line pH Sensor can be used with their VISC and MP2000 controllers which let operators establish a pH set-point and automatically add amine or other ingredients as required.

Applications include many liquid chemical processes such as water-based printing inks, food production, pharmaceutical, and general manufacturing.

The acid content of oils - often only present in traces - is a quality criterion and can be determined by thermometric titration. For example, in mineral oils and lubricating oils the total acid number (TAN) is determined and in edible fats and oils the free fatty acids (FFA). Thermometric titrations to determine the FFA content can be carried out conveniently using the 859 Titrotherm from Metrohm.

This titrator can, of course, also be used for classically indicated titrations.

Dissolve the olive oil in a 1:1 mixture of toluene and 2-propanol and add a small amount of paraformaldehyde to achieve a better endpoint indication.

Titrate with c(KOH) = 0.1 mol/L in 2-propanol to the endpoint; the reaction is slightly endothermic.

At the endpoint, the excess hydroxyl ions catalyse the hydrolysis of paraformaldehyde.

This strongly endothermic reaction can be seen from the sharp bend in the titration curve.

No sample preparation is necessary.

The Metrohm 859 Titrotherm is a USB-enabled thermometric titrator with one measuring input each for the Thermoprobe and potentiometric sensor - four MSB connections for 800 Dosino and stirrers.

Titrotherm software (English dialogue), Thermoprobe and USB connecting cable for PC is included.

The Metrohm Dosino technology has defined a new standard for precise and simple dosing in volumetric titration.

The dosing unit with its drive motor is mounted on the reagent bottle and thus guarantees maximum precision with minimum space requirements.

The titrator and two burettes require hardly more bench space than a sheet of A5 paper.

The Thermoprobe, a temperature sensor based on semiconductor technology (thermistor), has a short response time of 0.3 s and a high resolution of 10e-5 K.

This makes the Thermoprobe the ideal sensor for thermometric titration, as it can follow any change in temperature quickly and accurately.

The housing made of polypropylene (PP) and epoxy resin provides the sensor with outstanding resistance to many organic solvents and aggressive media.

The clearly laid out Titrotherm software allows adaptation of the screen view to the particular method parameters and thus provides rapid access to important commands or parameters.

The endpoints are determined by calculating the first and second derivatives of the titration curve: by means of additional optimisation parameters, the reproducibility can be improved even further.

Wyatt Technology, the world leader in absolute macromolecular characterisation instrumentation and software, has been chosen by Becton Dickinson Medical to determine the molecular weight of the polyurethanes that it manufactures. The Wyatt innovative miniDawn system was coupled to its Optilab refractometer to determine the absolute weight average molecular weight (MW) and number average molecular weight (Mn) of the BD polyurethanes. BD Medical is one of the world's leading suppliers of medical devices.

The company has been the leading innovator in injection and infusion-based drug delivery since 1906 when it built its first manufacturing facility in the US.

The polyurethanes that BD Medical produces are a proprietary blend intended for use in catheters.

Catheters vary in gauge and length as well as in dwell time.

The most important parameter when evaluating the efficiency factors of these catheters, including flexibility and tensile strength, is to determine the molecular weight of the polyurethanes.

The Mw and Mn values are being used by BD Medical manufacturing departments to access whether their process is running within the specified controls or not.

Speed and accuracy of results are of utmost importance.

For this particular application, the mobile phase used was 0.02M LiBr in DMF.

This was also used as a diluent.

Five dilutions of increasing concentration were prepared in order to obtain the dn/dc of the sample by injecting straight into the Optilab and using the Wyatt DNDC software.

After the dn/dc value was obtained, a sixth dilution was injected through both the miniDawn and Optilab to obtain the Mw and Mn of the polyurethane.

Using the Wyatt Astra software package, the resultant peak was integrated and a report was printed out detailing the Mw, Mn and calculated mass of the sample.

The results acquired were highly accurate and within the BD Medical specifications.

For more information on Wyatt Technology AFFF and MALS instruments and its Astra software solution or to obtain a copy of this application note, please visit the Wyatt website.