updating an old aa3-a case study - fluidquip · updating an old aa3-a case study the rapid rate of...

Spring 2016

Exclusive Distributor of SEAL Analytical in Australia and New Zealand

Sydney: Unit 7/ 84-90 Old Bathurst Rd, Emu Plains. NSW 2750 Ph: 02 4735 5054 E: [email protected]

Updating An Old AA3- A Case Study.…..…….1

Discrete Analyser Special Offer…..……..2

Multitest Manifold…..2

Free Evaluation of Your AA3…………………….3

Tech Tip: AA3 Maintenance Checklist…………..….4

Recent Installations…4

In this issue

Breaking free from the cycle of obsolescence with the AA3 Auto Analyser

Updating an Old AA3-A Case Study

The rapid rate of technological change and the planned obsolescence built into most technology we use today can see us in a constant cycle of evaluation, procurement, installation, repair and finally retirement. Somewhere in the middle there is also a great deal of frustration when the technology fails to keep pace with our needs and we are plagued with breakdowns, lack of spare parts and prohibitive repair costs. That assumes we haven’t just been told that the technology of 4-5 years is obsolete and service, parts,

support is not even an option. Cue the ray of sunshine and break free with the SEAL AA3 AutoAnalyser.

Very recently our sales team were consulting to a large laboratory for the supply of a new AutoAnalyser. The AA3 AutoAnalyser that was installed some 21 years earlier and now operated by a new & different team of chemists was giving troublesome results leading the laboratory to evaluate new instrumentation. Through the course of the sales consultation and after a visit to the Laboratory, the Fluidquip Australia sales team identified that the existing AA3 AutoAnalyser’s age was not a factor in the troublesome results (more on that later). So, whilst the Fluidquip Australia sales teams was happy to highlight the benefits of installing the latest AA3HR AutoAnalyser for this lab, they were also able to discuss and quote on restoring the existing 21-year-

old AA3 AutoAnalyser back to full function.

It is a credit to SEAL Analytical (and before them Bran+Luebbe) that this 21-year-old AA3 AutoAnalyser with its German heritage, looks as good today as it did when it was first purchased. The clever design incorporating modular components, which is still a feature of today’s instruments, makes replacing and updating modules easy.

This lab’s AA3 AutoAnalyser was returned to Fluidquip’s workshop for evaluation and subsequent restoration. The Service Technicians found the real reason for the unreliable results was not at all related to the age of the instrumentation. Instead it stemmed from undocumented operator modifications occurring over a number of years combined with a lack of some of the necessary maintenance procedures.

For owners of older AA3 AutoAnalysers the moral to this story is always talk to the service team at Fluidquip before making the decision to retire an instrument. The latest AA3HR detectors will definitely deliver you significant improvements in stability and resolution and enhance your analysis. However for a fraction of the cost of a new instrument you may be able to restore and retain your existing analyser and use this alongside your new purchase.

A 21-‐year-‐old AA3 AutoAnalyser, completely restored and ready to commence a full work-‐load in a busy laboratory.

Continued on Page 3.

Spring 2016

Contact Paul Butterworth on 02 4735 5054 to order. Quote promotional code 1617FYDIS

SEAL Discrete Analysers are designed for chemists by chemists and are ideal for completely automated environmental analysis. Analysing environmental and water samples is more demanding than analysing other sample types and requires a higher priority on very low detection levels, precision and reproducible results. SEAL Discrete Analysers not only include the latest robotics they also focus on analysis that is equal or superior to the manual methods they replace. SEAL Discrete Analysers:

• Give you high speeds and high quality data at a low cost

• Increase daily volume of samples and range of analytes to be analysed

• Significantly reduces cost per test, consuming only microlitres of reagents and samples

• Reduce waste disposal costs

• Reduce staff contact with hazardous chemicals

• Substantially reduces a laboratory’s overall operating costs.

Smart laboratories choose to purchase their AutoAnalyser with Multitest Manifolds to future proof their laboratory and to reduce capital expenditure. Using a Multitest Manifold gives you the most flexibility. If you have a multiple channel AutoAnalyser, you can choose to run one chemistry at a time or run multiple chemistries simultaneously without having to change pump tubes. Including a Multitest Manifold in your initial capital purchase is a particularly good decision if your budget does not extend to a multiple channel AutoAnalyser, and you need the capability to run multiple chemistries.

The most versatile and most popular Multitest Manifold the MT7 is ideal for water, wastewater, soil, plant extracts and fertiliser etc. This manifold includes a dialyser to accommodate high ranges, as well as a heating bath for temperatures up to 37oC. This high range can even be extended by a factor of 3 with smaller sample pump tubes.

Multitest Manifolds Future Proof Your AutoAnalyserMultitest manifolds allow you to buy one manifold yet have the capability to run a number of different chemistries with only a simple change of pump tubes and reagents.

Alkalinity 0-‐300 to 0-‐500 mg/L as CaCO3Ammonia (salicylate) 0-‐0.25 to 0-‐5 mg/L 0-‐2.5 to 0-‐25 mg/L as NAmmonia (phenate) 0-‐0.5 to 0-‐5 mg/L 0-‐2.5 to 0-‐2.0 mg?L as NBoron 0-‐2 to 0-‐15 mg/L 0-‐10 to 0-‐90 mg/L

Bromide 0-‐10 to 0-‐100 mg/L 0-‐25 to 0-‐250 mg/L as BrCalcium 0-‐12 to 0-‐100 mg/L CaChloride 0-‐10 to 0-‐100 mg/L 0-‐25 to 0-‐250 mg/LChromium (6+) 0-‐1 to 0-‐10 mg/L 0-‐5 to 0-‐45 mg/LFluoride 0-‐2 to 0-‐6 mg/LHardness 0-‐400 mg/L CaCO3Iron 0-‐1.5 to 0-‐15 mg/L 0-‐14 to 0-‐140 mg/L FeIodide 0-‐20 to 0-‐150 µg/L 0-‐100 to 0-‐300 µg/L as lMagnesium 0-‐1.5 to 0-‐3 mg/L 0-‐10 to 0-‐15/90 mg/LManganese 0-‐3.75 to 0.30 mg/LNicotine 0-‐400 to 0-‐4000 mg/L 0-‐2 to 0-‐10 g/LNitrate 0-‐0.3 to 0-‐2.75 mg/L 0-‐1 to 0-‐11 mg/L as NNitrite 0-‐0.3 to 0-‐2.75 mg/L 0-‐1 to 0-‐11 mg/L as NNitrogen, Total (NH3 +NO3 Only)

0-‐25 to 0-‐160 mg/L

Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl 0-‐1 to 0-‐8 mg/L 0-‐3.5 to 0-‐25 mg/L as NPhenol 0-‐2 to 0-‐20 mg/LPhosphate 0-‐1.7 to 0-‐7.5 mg/L 0-‐10 to 0-‐50 mg/L as PPhosphate (molybdovanadate) 0-‐30 to 0-‐300 mg/L 0-‐200 to 0-‐2000 mg/LPhosphorous, total Kjeldahl 0-‐1.7 to 0-‐6 mg/L 0-‐6 to 0-‐50 mg/L as PPotassium 0-‐100 mg/L 0-‐200 mg/L as K20Silicate 0-‐6 to 0-‐60 mg/L 0-‐30 to 0-‐300 mg/L as SiO2Sodium 0-‐100 mg/L 0-‐200 mg/L as NaSulXide 0-‐0.5 to 0-‐4 mg/L 0-‐2.0 to 0-‐12 mg/L as S

Discrete Analyser Special OfferStart the new financial year off with great deals on Discrete Analysers.

OFF7.5%A Q 2

E x p. 3 0 N o v 1 6

Quote code: 1617FYDIS

Up to 180 test capacity

OFF7.5%A Q 4 0 0

E x p. 3 0 N o v 1 6

Quote code: 1617FYDIS

Up to 216 test capacity

Contact Paul Butterworth on 02 4735 5054 to Nind out about the full range of Multitest Manifolds.

Spring 2016

Updating an Old AA3-A Case Study

For only an incremental amount more over the cost of their new instrument this laboratory was able to double its throughput and the range of chemistries thanks to keeping the older AutoAnalyser in service alongside their new instrument.

Here are some other key learnings to take away from this case study:

• With some simple daily maintenance procedures your AutoAnalyser will perform as the manufacturer intended for a very long time. In this case the simple application of grease and lubricant to the rollers would have prevented wear and prevented the flattening of pump tubes. The pump tube problem in turn affected the bubble patterns.

• When you have staffing and operator changes and handovers of operating procedures aren’t practical consider arranging for some additional instrument training for new staff. Correct usage and correct maintenance will ensure your instrument’s long life.

• If you find yourself getting poor results, don’t assume it is the age of the instrument. Contact the service team at Fluidquip to ensure your instrument is set up correctly and using the correct glassware, pump tubes, reagents etc.

• Even though earlier model AA3 AutoAnalysers require serial ports to connect to computers, serial port to USB adaptors are readily available. It is still possible to connect an early model AA3 to a new computer and access the latest software.

• If and when your older Samplers and Detectors expire you can easily update to the latest Samplers and HR Detectors without replacing the rest of your AutoAnalyser.

• All the current ranges of pump tubes and glassware are suitable for use on earlier model AutoAnalysers.

• In-house chemists staff the SEAL Support team. This team is expert at helping you meet your analytical needs. In the example of the lab in this story one manifold had been lost over the years. To fit the required 5 chemistries into the remaining instrumentation the SEAL chemists were able to customise the chemistries of this 5-channel system splitting one manifold to accommodate two chemistries and match the laboratory’s existing methods.

• The original instrument was supplied with MT17 Multitest Manifolds. These manifolds are not dedicated to a single chemistry, instead they are equipped with everything required for a range of chemistries. Even with the laboratory’s needs changing over time the original manifolds have the capability for today’s analysis.

The delight with the SEAL AutoAnalyser range is not only the quality of the engineering, it is also the modular design. The German engineering guarantees you the long instrument life, and the modular design ensures you can replace and update components without replacing the entire system. No matter the age of your AutoAnalyser it is always worth discussing updating and restoring your instrument. Fluidquip Australia is committed to getting you the best analysis results. We are also committed to getting you the most out of your investments over the longer term.

Continued from Page 1

FREE Evaluation of Your AA3

Until Nov 30, 2016 we are offering a FREE evaluation of your AA3.

We can help you restore your AA3 as well as upgrade Detectors, Samplers and software so you can expect more from your existing analyser.

Contact us on 02 4735 5054 to arrange an evaluation.

* Mainland Australia and Tasmania only. For PaciNic Islands contact us.

A good bubble pattern is a quick and easy visual clue to the correct performance of your Segmented Flow Analyser. Maintain a good bubble pattern with regular and correct maintenance.

Call Paul Butterworth on 02 4735 5054 to arrange your FREE upgrade evaluation.

Spring 2016

Exclusive Distributor of SEAL Analytical in Australia and New Zealand

New Sales & UpgradesPaul ButterworthM: 0417 110 738T: 02 4735 5054E: [email protected]

Parts & ConsumablesCarina RabergT: 02 4735 5054E: [email protected]

ServiceBarbara SlatyerM: 0418 456 213 T: 02 4735 5054E: [email protected]

Ph: 02 4735 5054 Fx: 02 4735 6896Web: www.fluidquip.com.auEmail: [email protected]

Exclusive Australian distributor for SEAL Analytical analysers, parts and consumables.

Contact Us

Recent installationsTech TipsAA3 Daily & Monthly Checklist

SEAL Chemists recently commissioned an AQ2 Discrete Analyser at the Environmental and Analytical Laboratories, Wagga Wagga. EAL is located at Charles Sturt University and provides specialist analytical commercial and research testing services to councils, industry, individuals, researchers and students. EAL provides routine analysis of water supplies, ground waters, effluent, soils, air particulates, sediments, organic and inorganic samples. EAL is NATA accredited.

Daily Startup1. Reposition air valve tubing2. Heating coil temperature3. Waste-line clear-not submerged4. Water Baseline (Water-surfactant)5. Bubble Pattern/Shape6. Cadmium Column checks as

required

Weekly Checklist1. Clean sampler wash pot2. Run/record reagent absorbance

check3. Run/record chemistry sensitivity 4. Method based cleaning (EDTA,

Acid, Bleach)5. Manifold/Flowcell “Butt” joint check

Monthly Maintenance1. Replace pump tubes2. Replace air valve tubing3. Clean/lubricate pump rollers4. Clean/lubricate side rails5. Clean Pump Platen6. Clean Sampler trays7. Replace Dialyser Membrane (if

fitted)

Visit the SEAL Analytical website to download Checklist and Maintenance templates (http://bit.ly/21YzYfg).

You will need to register on the site for a Username and Password. After this you can download checklists and maintenance “How To”.

Templated Daily, Weekly, Monthly Checklists available from the SEAL website.

Detailed “How To” complete with photos to help you maintain your AA3. Available from the SEAL website

Environmental and Analytical Laboratories. Wagga Wagga

The new AQ2 being installed at EAL. Wagga Wagga

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