Lab Unlimited UK

Are you required to calibrate & measure Ammonia ISEs in the Lab? According to YSI, there are 8 easy but sensitive steps you must follow, to obtain repeatable and reliable results.

Step #1: Connect the ammonia electrode to a meter that has a BNC input and can show ion concentration directly. Also, make sure to set up the instrument to measure ammonia.

Step #2: Connect a temperature sensor to the instrument. This is key as effective ion concentration measuring depends greatly on temperature. The standard solutions temperature as close as possible to the expected sample.

Step #3: Prepare the standards. Standards should bracket the expected sample range. There should be a tenfold difference in concentration between the high and low standards. Make sure standards are in date and use a minimum of two standards. You can also use a third standard if there is more than a tenfold difference. 

Step #4: Place the electrode in the lowest concentration standard and stir at a constant rate using a stir bar and stir plate. The stirring speed should be limited to minimize loss of ammonia gas. Use the same stirring rate when calibrating and measuring samples.

Step #5: Add your ionic strength adjustor (ISA) to the standard and start calibration. Once the ISA is added, the solution should have a pale blue colour, indication the pH.
Allow the solution to stir for 1 minute and begin calibration. This is a delicate and time sensitive process. Ammonia in the sample will no longer be sufficient 4 minutes after ISA is added, so after this time, a fresh standard will need to be prepared.

Step #6: Calibrate with additional standards. 
Once the instrument has accepted the first calibration point, finish calibrating using steps #4 and #5 for the remaining calibration points. Make sure to calibrate in order of increasing concentration.
If calibrating with less than 7 standards, you can finish calibration process after calibration using the highest concentration standard.

Step #7: Evaluate electrode slope on the calibration record. For highest accuracy, the ammonia electrode slope should be between -53 mV/decade and -65 mV/decade. If not, recalibration is required.

Step #8: Recalibration is KEY! The ammonia electrode should be calibrated at the beginning of each day. Verify the calibration result every 2 hours by preparing a fresh low to mid-range standard, adding ISA, and verifying the reading. 

Read the article on our blog: https://www.labunlimited.co.uk/News-Article?articleid=3486

Your EXO multiparameter water quality sonde is very rugged and strong-built to withstand the harshest weather conditions, however, there are some recommended practices to keep your system functioning properly for years to come.

What about Wear and Tear?

Severe wear on any one part of the sonde's body can lead to water intrusion which can potentially lead to costly repairs and faulty data. One of the things you can do to prevent excessive damage is using a probe and sonde protective sleeve which protects the sonde's body and bulkhead. This combined with good maintenance practices and easy handling of the sonde - so they don't get beat up too much-, will keep the body and bulkhead tube in good shape.

Mind Your Wetmate Connectors!

The Wetmate connectors on the top of the battery compartment and in the bulkhead, and sensors have to be properly maintained. A very costly repair, these are mostly damaged by lack of lubricant in the sensor's wetmate and usually leads to a pin being galvanic oxided off the sensor. What can you do to prevent some of the issues? Never introduce any foreign objects into a female connector and only use only Krytox grease to lubricate the mating surfaces of the connectors. 

Be Careful with Batteries!

When a battery leaks acid it can lead to the loss of all the electronics and sensors in your sonde. Never store batteries in the sonde for an extended period and always check your batteries before each deployment. Please note that battery life is reduced in cold water applications and is heavily dependent on sensor configuration.

When using alkaline batteries, the estimated battery life is approximately 90 days for EXO2, and 60 days for EXO3, at 20°C with a 15-minute logging interval, with temperature/conductivity, pH/ORP, Optical DO, turbidity, and Total Algae-PC sensors installed along with a central wiper.

Also, keep in mind that when using rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, the estimated battery life is not always the same, as they vary in manufacturer capacity and discharge curves. YSI recommends a NiMH D-cell battery with a minimum rating of 10,000 milliamp hours, fully charged each time it is used.

Do you have any questions about maintaining your sondes?

Check out our website: https://www.labunlimited.co.uk/News-Article?articleid=3516

The THM Analyzer is vital for drinking water safety and compliance. It can, in a matter of minutes, display the Trihalomethane concentration in water, thus making sure that the water is suitable and safe for drinking.

Designed with the expertise from Water Industry end users and specialists, the Parker THM Analyzer is a cost effective approach to the monitorization of water disinfection by-products.

Why is it SO Unique?

The THM Analyzer performs a 30 minute analysis, without the need for tedious sample preparation, right at your plant or facility. With an integrated purge and trap gas chromatograph system, it will help to optimise water treatment, evaluate water age and ultimately improve your control over the formation of THMs.

It also comes with a powerful software which provides better understanding and use of THM measurements and data analysis. The status panel operator interface is very intuitive and user-friendly. It displays measurement progress during an analysis cycle and then displays the measured concentration levels for individual and total THM.

Also, Parker’s THM Analyzer is fully portable. Its rugged, light and compact design allows him to be easily moved and carried around (carrying case available).

What's the difference between the On-line and the benchtop THM Analyzer?

The on-line version does not require operator interaction. Once set up, regular sample analysis will occur automatically regardless of where the analyzer is installed.

The Parker on-line THM Analyzer features a more robust enclosure to allow installation right at the process or distribution point of interest. Through SCADA interaction (Supervisory control and data acquisition) the operator can remotely, and safely, determine when and how often the analysis is performed.

How does it Work?

The THM analyser is quite simple to use and does not require any expensive and time consuming sample preparation or off-site analysis.
Simply collect a sample and connect it to the analyzer sparging system. Push the start button to begin the measurement cycle and you will see the individual and total THM information displayed clearly on the touchscreen and laptop display. 

Not only do you get access to the THM concentration information, but you will be able to view other analytical results as well. Such as measured concentration and detailed chromatography data which are automatically archived for future review. 
You can also transfer the data to other software packages for more detailed trending analysis of THM information.

This application note about Anglian Water and the Parker Hannifin’s fast drinking water analyzer is a great example of how the THM can help optimise water treatment.

Does it suit my Application?

The Trihalomethane Analyzer can be used in many places where THM water testing is key, e.g., Local Water Plants, Universities, Beverage Plants, amongst others.

Check out our blog: https://www.labunlimited.co.uk/p/5582/Trihalomethane-(THM)-%20Analyzer

After successfully maintaining our ISO 9001 certification for over 20 years, we continue to evolve our systems in alignment with developments of this standard. Therefore, we are proud to say that the Carl Stuart Group have now been certified to the latest version of this standard: the ISO 9001:2015.

What is different?

According to ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, the biggest change from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015 is its new structure. ISO 9001:2015 now follows the same overall structure as other ISO management system standards (known as the High-Level Structure), making it easier for companies like us to maintain two distinct management systems supporting our ISO 9001 & ISO 17025 accreditations. There is a new focus on the identification and mitigation of risks within our business, and equally so on opportunities that we are presented with. 

Quality is at the heart of our operations, the re-certification process for the new standard has provided us with a more user-friendly QMS, with a deeper management input throughout OUR organisation. Achieving this new standard has allowed us the opportunity to review and streamline many of our existing process. It is helping to ensure our operations, services and knowledge management capabilities are fully aligned to the needs and expectations of our customers.

Should you have any questions about the new ISO 9001:2015 Standard, check out our blog: https://www.labunlimited.co.uk/News-Article?articleid=3477

The HSE issued guidelines to help employers select the right type of protective glove for their particular situation.  They realise that considering all possible implications in the decision can be a daunting task, and so they have provided 5 main factors that all employers should consider when choosing the right type of protective glove:

1. Identify the substances handled
2. Identify all other hazards
3. Consider the type and duration of contact
4. Consider the user - size and comfort
5. Consider the task

Check out the full HSE guidelines Choosing the right gloves to protect skin to get the questions you need to answer before searching for the right type of disposable glove for you.

At Lab Unlimited we know that each of the above factors can greatly influence the type of glove you need. And that's why we supply a wide range of disposable Nitrile Gloves to help you match the glove to your needs.

Our nitrile gloves go through rigorous testing and are certified to conform to Standards: EN 420, EN 374 and EN 455 and offer CE Category III chemical resistance. They are also food grade gloves and so are suitable for those working in the food and drinks industry.

Our disposable nitrile gloves come in sizes Extra Small to Extra Large and they can be as little as 9p per PAIR of gloves (ex VAT) with the ability to be even cheaper if multiple boxes are purchased at the same time, qualifying you for a bulk discount!

Visit our dedicated page now to see more information on our exciting range of nitrile gloves.

Lab Unlimited's new Labware Catalogue has just arrived!

With a great selection of the best Consumables and Instrumentation that every Lab needs, this Catalogue will be the perfect ally on all your purchases.

Start stocking up on all your Lab Favourites and Must-Haves today, by requesting your FREE Copy of our Labware Catalogue and we will post one out to you the same day!

Or if you just can't wait, you can download a PDF version of the Labware Catalogue to start viewing great value products right now!

Below is a list of the product headings included in this special Labware Catalogue:

• General Laboratory Consumables
• Occupational Safety & Security
• Analytical Measurement and Testing
• Stirring, Shaking and Mixing
• Sample Preparation
• Distillation, Separation and Filtration
• Heating and Cooling Technology
• Liquid Handling
• Vacuum Technology, Drying and Dry Storage
• Optical Instruments and Microscopes
• Cleaning
• Environmental Analysis, Soil Analysis, Water Analysis and Food Analysis
• Life Sciences
• Chromatography

The Clax Mobil Trolley is an essential Lab Trolley for every-day use. It is a versatile folding hand trolley that is light, easy to use and simple to store in the office, home or laboratory. 

The 2-tier collapsible trolley with wheels folds flat for easy storage. It boasts an ergonomic handle with a simple push-button mechanism that enables effortless folding of the cart. It also includes a wheel brake, a lift-up top tray and safety strap to hold a collapsible crate in place. 

This Clax folding trolley comes complete with a Clax collapsible crate that allows for maximum storage with minimum space. The spare folding crate fits perfectly on both the top or bottom level of the Clax trolley. All four sides of the crate are fully collapsible for easy transport and storage. The trolley can even be collapsed & stored with the cart attached. 

This heavy duty folding trolley is very versatile and can be used in a number of ways. With a single button press the handle is adjustable to two different positions, and the top tray can be folded away so that there are no height restrictions on what you can transport. The swivel wheels make manoeuvring a breeze and the large back wheels can easily traverse small steps. 

Visit the Clax Lab Folding Trolley Cart web page to view more information and to watch a video of the trolley in action!!

Features:

• Stable, multi-use trolley with parking brake
• Push-button collapsing/unfolding
• The perfect utility cart
• Easy to fold away and store
• Strap included for attaching folding crate
• Sturdy build
• Low cost
• 2 year manufacturer warranty
• Made in Germany

Clax Trolley Load Capacity:
Total: 60kg
Upper shelf: 20kg
Lower shelf: 40kg

The Colony Counter Scan® 100 from Interscience is currently available complete with a Magnifying Lens on a flexible arm with an amazing 30% OFF

That's Interscience Colony Counter Scan® 100 P/n 435.000 PLUS Interscinece Colony Counter Magnifying Lens P/n 435.001 for just £941.85

This is a limited offer until 15th December 2016, so act fast before the stock is gone.

Comfort and technology are paramount with the Colony Counter Scan® 100

Scan® 100 is a high-tech colony counter remarkable for its user-friendly functions and great ergonomics, which allow accurate colony counting on all media used in microbiology (Petri dishes, Petrifi lmTM, fi ltration membrane).

A LED lighting system gives a contrasting and clear view of the colonies. The integrated USB port allows easy export of the results to the software of your choice (PC and Mac) to guarantee traceability of the results.

Advantages of the Colony Counter Scan® 100

• All stainless steel, very robust
• Long lasting white LEDs, adjustable intensity
• Dark Field lighting
• Ergonomic hand rest
• Instant export of results via USB

Find out more information on the Colony Counter Scan® 100 and watch the product video at www.labunlimited.com

Scientific Industries have developed the Rotator Genie™ as an ideal "All Weather" rotary shaker as it is designed for both cold room and incubator use.

This laboratory mixer is designed to provide variable speed liquid mixing in a compact, durable and user-friendly unit. And the rotary shaker's compact footprint will fit into most incubators allowing for controlled environment mixing. 

The Rotator Genie™ STANDARD has a durable thermoplastic platform that securely holds vessels with super stretch latex rubber strapping.

While the Rotator Genie™ MAGNETIC has a unique spring clip plate system that is designed to securely hold a number of vessels of varying shapes simultaneously. Different Clip plates can be purchased to fit the sample container you are using.

Both platforms are interchangeable on the Rotator Genie™ and together make this Lab Shaker the ideal instrument for mixing almost any kind of laboratory samples.

For more information and to watch a video of the Rotator Genie in action visit our Rotator Genie promotion page

But act fast as this promotion is only valid until 31/12/2016

DURAN^® TILT is designed for making work in biosafety cabinets and clean hoods safer and easier. The handling of traditional cell culture media bottles in biosafety cabinets and hoods is inconvenient and time-consuming. The innovative features of the DURAN^® TILT bottle change everything. The TILT bottle has two positions: upright for filter sterilisation or storage, and tilted at 45° for pipetting. 

DURAN^® TILT Features:

• The TILT bottle has a unique 45° tilt position for pipetting.
• The innovative design enables both good aseptic and ergonomic practice.
• The GL 56 mouth has a 100% larger area than the standard GL 45 mouth for easier pipetting.
• It easily accommodates even the largest serological pipettes (100ml), and helps avoid contamination.
• Ergonomically shaped GL 56 screw cap included, made from polypropylene
• Vacuum resistant glass bottle for the safe filter sterilisation of media.
• Space saving shape for fridge storage and warming media in a water bath
• Low bottle height is practical for use in a biosafety cabinet.
• Tilted volume indicators in both positions and on both sides
• Manufactured from DURAN^® borosilicate 3.3 glass
  • A tried and trusted material
  • Certified as non-cytotoxic (according to ISO 10993-5:2009)
  • DURAN^® glass does not leach any organic molecules that might affect the culturing of cells
  • Borosilicate 3.3 glass for reusability and lower whole life costs.

Find out more about the DURAN^® TILT Cell Culture Flask