Month: June 2016

Using Alternative Carrier Gases with Accelerated ASTM D2887 Simulated Distillation Analysis

By Katarina Oden, Barry Burger, and Amanda Rigdon.
PCAR2320-UNV_header

ASTM Method D2887 now allows for alternate carrier gases, so hydrogen or nitrogen can replace helium carrier gas for simulated distillation. Here is shown that with an MXT®-1HT SimDist column and Restek’s EZGC® online method translator existing methods using helium can be easily converted to either hydrogen or nitrogen carrier gas. Because retention times are preserved with proper method translation, there are minimal changes to peak identification tables, which significantly simplifies method validation.

Read the article provided by Restek

Introducing eVol®

eVol

eVol® is a digitally controlled positive displacement dispensing system that can be programmed to reproducibly and accurately perform a wide variety of liquid handling procedures. Everyone becomes an expert.

Key Benefits

  • The programmable digital drive means liquid handling procedures are user-independent, allowing more efficient workflow scheduling and a reduction in the re-analysis of incorrectly processed or false positive samples.
  • XCHANGE® analytical syringes can be easily and quickly changed allowing them to be dedicated to individual liquids, and methods, to prevent possible cross-contamination of reagents.

eVol will improve your laboratory workflow and reporting confidence in many ways.

Process Without eVol With eVol eVol Benefits
Standard Preparation Standards prepared in a large volume flask. From this standard aliquots are individually dispensed into autosampler vials. Standards are made up directly in the vial, including the make up solvent.
  • Less glassware usage
  • Reduces waste fluid
  • Significant time saving
  • Improved accuracy and reproducibility
    • Addition of Standards Small amounts of standard aspirated and dispensed into all samples before being transferred to an autosampler vial. One aspiration and a fast series of repeated accurate dispenses directly into vials.
  • Significant time saving
  • Improved accuracy and reproducibility
    • Delivery of derivatization agents Laboratory staff required to work in a fume hood with potentially hazardous materials, to prepare combinations of derivatization agents in open vials. Process completed with eVol® programmed to aspirate an amount of solvent or agent and then dispense aliquots into sealed vials. Single handed operation.
  • Improved operator safety, lower spill and splash risk
  • Ergonomic benefits behind fume hood screen
  • Improved accuracy and reproducibility
  • Less glassware use
    • Serial dilutions Transfer of a small amount of solution to another container. Solvent added to achieve the required volume. This is repeated multiple times to obtain the required final accurate concentration. One aspiration of the solution can be dispensed directly into the solvent to achieve the required accurate concentration.
  • Complete workflow simplification
  • Significant time savings
  • Improved accuracy
  • Less solvent required
  • Less glassware used

    • Only three eVol syringes are required to dispense liquid volumes covering the range from 200 nL to 1000 μL.

    eVol syringe changing chart

    View this video to learn about the benefits of using eVol, the world’s first digital analytical syringe. eVol improves the pace of laboratory processes while delivering improved accuracy and reproducibility, with standardized results independent of operator skill.

    Visit our shop for more information about eVol® accessories and supplies.

    BGB Leak Detector

    BGB Leak Detector

    BGB’s portable leak detector is specifically designed for use with gas chromatography (GC) systems. It detects minute leaks of any gas with a thermal conductivity different from air. The reference gas inlet draws in ambient air for comparison to air drawn into the sample probe. The severity of a leak is indicated by both an LED light display and an audible alarm.

    The leak detector measurement is based on thermal conductivity comparisons between the probe air and a reference air. The device employs a dual thermistor technology that measures the ratio of [probe]:[reference] heat exchange values and displays the results on an LED scale. Under ideal operating conditions, a ratio of 1:1 indicates identical air samples for both [probe] and [reference], and therefore, no leak is present.

    Leak Detector Specifications:

    Detectable Gases: Helium, Nitrogen, Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen
    Battery: Rechargeable lithium ion internal battery pack (12 hours normal operation)
    Operating Temperature Range: 0–48 °C
    Humidity Range: 0–97%
    Warranty: One year
    Certifications: CE, Ex, Japan
    Compliance: WEEE, RoHS
    Limits of Detection and Indicating LED Color:
    Helium, 1.0 x 10-5, red LED
    Hydrogen*, 1.0 x 10-5, red LED
    Nitrogen, 1.4 x 10-3, yellow LED
    Argon, 1.0 x 10-4, yellow LED
    Carbon Dioxide, 1.0 x 10-4, yellow LED

    Gas detection limits measured in atm cc/sec.

    Read this articles to learn more about leak detection in GC:
    Best Practice for Identifying Leaks in GC and GC/MS Systems published by Agilent Technologies, 2014
    Guide to GC Column Selection and Optimizing Separations Published by Restek Corp. – see p. 11ff for information about unwanted results and possible solutions.
    Leaks in a GC System published on Chromatography Today on February 26, 2014
    Leak-Free GC By Ken Lynam, October 06, 2014, Lab Manager

    Electronic Leak Detector User Guide

    Product page in BGB Shop