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Capillary GC columns are capable of producing highly reproducible chromatograms provided right operational conditions are maintained and steps are taken from time to time to prevent damage and performance degradation. The factors which can result in deterioration are Column breakage Fused silica columns break wherever there is a weak point in the polymide coating. The …

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CAUSES OF GC CAPILLARY COLUMN PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION? PART I Read More »

Introduction Laboratory accreditation is the employment of procedures and criteria specifically developed to determine technical competence of laboratories to carry out accurate and reliable services. It is the formal recognition, authorization and registration of a laboratory that has demonstrated its capability, competence and credibility to provide reliable testing, measurement, calibration services and all other technical …

LABORATORY ACCREDITATION AND CERTIFICATION Read More »

Calibration is a comparison between two devices, where one device is the instrument that requires calibration and the other is the reference sandard that defines the accuracy. How often should you calibrate? Every instrument has different calibration frequency requirements and must be done at an accredited laboratory You should start by following the calibration interval …

Is Regular Calibrations Necessary? Read More »

There are many detectors available for GC (see Table 1). These detectors can be divided into two categories: general detectors and selective detectors. Let’s discuss one after the other the detectors mentioned in table 1 The thermal conductivity detector (TCD): This is a general detector that can be used for both organic and inorganic compounds. It produces a …

Gas chromatography detectors Read More »

Lab equipment is the most valuable asset in a lab.  This is why keeping the equipment in top-notch conditions is critical to maintaining lab and data integrity.  Understanding calibration, how it works, and why it is so critical will help you run a more precise and accurate lab. What is Calibration? Calibration is the act …

Importance of Laboratory Instruments Calibration Read More »

The history of balances and scales dates back to Ancient Egypt. A simplistic equal-arm balance on a fulcrum that compared two masses was the standard. Today, scales are much more complicated and have a multitude of uses. Applications range from laboratory weighing of chemicals to weighing of packages for shipping purposes. To fully understand how …

BALANCES Read More »

Planned Maintenance Also Preventive Maintenance or Scheduled Maintenance Pre-planned and scheduled Involves scheduled service visits by competent   service agent, but may also include periodical checks  and care by User Can be date-based or hours-based Allows for easier planning of maintenance Allows for easier ordering and inventory of spares Allows for easy budgeting and costs management …

Elements of Maintenance Planning for Laboratory Equipment (Part 2) Read More »

Troubleshooting vs Maintenance Troubleshooting: Logical, systematic search for the source of a problem Helps to identify the cause(s) of a problem with a view to correcting it Works usually by the process of elimination Maintenance: Activities carried out in order to preserve the operational status and life of an asset (equipment) Does not necessarily extend …

Elements of Maintenance Planning for Laboratory Equipment (Part 1) Read More »

A flame ionization detector (FID) is a scientific instrument that measures analytes in a gas stream. It is frequently used as a detector in gas chromatography. The measurement of ion per unit time make this a mass sensitive instrument.Standalone FIDs can also be used in applications such as landfill gas monitoring, fugitive emissions monitoring and internal combustion engine emissions measurement in stationary or portable instruments. Fig 1: FID. …

Flame Ionization Detector (FID) Read More »