Automated Fluoride Measurement

Fluoride is a critical parameter in both drinking water analysis and clinical chemistry. Fluoride analysis is often problematic either due to the number of samples or the problems caused by the matrix.

These issues are addressed with the Mantech assay plus for fluoride which can be used for drinking water sample or with urine samples in a clinical environment. Application notes for both of these samples types are available.

Fluoride toothpaste

Utilising the Ion selective method of analysis the system can be set up to analyse in direct mode where the matrix is simple or for challenging samples the system can be set up to perform automated standard additions reducing laboratory workload.

With a choice of sampler sizes, integrated control software and low cost sample cups the Mantech assay plus system offers great value and quality data. The Mantech modular system can be easily upgraded to analyse a variety of other chemical species.

Call 01954 233100 now for a system quotation or complete our online enquiry form for copies of the application notes and a quotation

How do I clean the probe on a loser osmometer

How do I clean the probe on a loser Osmometer

The Loser Micro-digital Osmometer is a freezing point depression Osmometer, ideal for use in laboratories.

Micro-digital Osmometer MOD200PLUS

The Osmometer needs little maintenance however the probe may need cleaning dependant on the sample type.

Alcohol such as IPA will be suitable for cleaning but a better option would be to use a product called Klercide 70/30 ( 1137662).
The probe must not be cleaned with any chlorinated products – it causes corrosion, particularly around the freezing wells.

Stuart SCF2 microcentrifuge keeps it compact and quiet

Stuart SCF2 microcentrifuge keeps it compact and quiet

The Stuart SCF2 microcentrifuge from Stuart fits a versatile set of features into a compact, easy-to-use design. Offering quiet operation, the SCF2 is a variable speed unit accommodating either a fixed angle rotor holding 12 tubes or a strip tube rotor. As well as pelleting of precipitates, applications include processes involving spin column kits for binding/washing, such as sample preparation, sample clean up and sample concentration.

Stuart SCF2 Microcentrifuge

Dr Jayne Bates, Bibby Scientific Technical Support Manager, commented: “In addition to the benefits of versatility and a compact design, the Stuart SCF2 microcentrifuge shows Stuart’s commitment to ensuring laboratory safety. The door remains locked while the rotor is in motion and the Stuart SCF2 microcentrifuge BioCote® protection. This unique antimicrobial additive is applied during the manufacture of all Stuart benchtop laboratory equipment, dramatically cutting surface contamination for the lifetime of the product. BioCote is a silver-based finish which reduces the risk of infection by disrupting vital cellular processes within all common bacteria and fungi, including antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as MRSA.”

The fixed angle rotor holds up to 12 x 1.5ml or 2.2ml microfuge tubes and, using the supplied adaptors, 0.5ml and 0.2ml tubes can also be centrifuged. The strip tube rotor holds four strips of 8 x 0.2ml tubes. No tools are required to install the rotors and spin speed is variable, up to 13,500rpm for the fixed angle rotor and 6,000rpm for the strip tube rotor.

Centrifugation speed can be displayed in rpm or rcf and the timer can be set for run times of between 1 and 30 minutes. A pulse button enables rapid spin-down, with acceleration to the preset rpm followed by immediate deceleration.

COD or Chemical Oxygen Demand definition

A number of customers have asked us for a definition of COD or Chemical Oxygen Demand which is detailed below:

Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is a measure of the capacity of water to consume oxygen during the decomposition of organic matter and the oxidation of inorganic chemicals such as ammonia and nitrite. COD measurements are commonly made on samples of waste watersor of natural waters contaminated by domestic or industrial wastes. Chemical oxygen demand is measured as a standardized laboratory assay in which a closed water sample is incubated with a strong chemical oxidant under specific conditions of temperature and for a particular period of time. A commonly used oxidant in COD assays is potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) which is used in combination with boiling sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). Because this chemical oxidant is not specific to oxygen-consuming chemicals that are organic or inorganic, both of these sources of oxygen demand are measured in a COD assay.

Chemical oxygen demand is related to biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), another standard test for assaying the oxygen-demanding strength of waste waters. However, biochemicaloxygen demand only measures the amount of oxygen consumed by microbial oxidation and is most relevant to waters rich in organic matter. It is important to understand that COD and BOD do not necessarily measure the same types of oxygen consumption. For example, COD does not measure the oxygen-consuming potential associated with certain dissolved organic compounds such as acetate. However, acetate can be metabolized by microorganisms and would therefore be detected in an assay of BOD. In contrast, the oxygen-consuming potential of cellulose is not measured during a short-term BOD assay, but it is measured during a COD test.

You can find more about Camlab, Hach and Hanna COD – Chemical Oxygen Demand test vials and colorimters here. They make measurement simple and do the calculations for you.

You can read more about the definition of COD here–> COD