II - CHEMICAL ANALYSIS; IDENTIFICATION; CHARACTERIZATION; MEASUREMENT; LABORATORY SERVICES

ANALYSIS TECHNOLOGY

If you have an analytical chemistry laboratory, or are considering building one, and need some technology assistance to get up and running, or are implementing some form of process technology, consider the services listed below.  Click here for an overview. 

   Analysis Technology Reviews

    Method and Procedure Development

    Separation Center

              * Chromatography

              * Capillary Electrophoresis

              * Sample Pretreatment Methodology

    Spectroscopy Center - UC

     Microscopy Center- UC

    Training and Education

     Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Development

OVERVIEW

Wise engineers often tell us "if you don't measure it, you can't control it".   We would say the same about the often invisible components of a chemical reaction process.    Measurement can provide definition and certainty.   And if that's what you are after,  we can provide a roadmap to establish the credibility you need to face the most sophisticated and demanding customers and specifications, or to advance chemical or biochemical  science.

Planning is key, and we can help right from the start.  Measuring the components of a reaction can be very complex and expensive, or simple and relatively inexpensive.  To begin, consider the costs you may incur by avoiding the expense of laboratory or process analysis technology, the purpose of which is to design and make certain.  If you think a chemical measurement system might help contain these costs, and you are still reading this, you should contact us NOW to explore ways you can use our analytical engineering consulting services !

R. W. HEIDEN ASSOCIATES will lead you through the maze of technology and practical considerations for developing a measurement system that works.   Here's some of what we can offer. 

ANALYSIS TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS

A QC (quality control) program that requires tests of incoming materials, process changes, and final product quality can be daunting to set up and implement.   We will work with you to develop a measurement technology based QC program.    What are the technology options and what might they cost ?

PROCESS ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGY (PAT)

PAT provides the most rapid composition results in the factory.  The range of possible solutions for PAT varies considerably.  Sometimes PAT means on-line measurement with simple sensors and automated computerized analysis.  More recently, advanced computer power and smaller, faster, highly sensitive sensors and sampling tools have made it possible to use spectroscopic instruments on-line to make signatures of the process composition to gauge variability.  Near-line or at-line type technology that requires minimal training for the operator, and is sufficiently robust for the factory is also available. The correct solution might be based on fast spectroscopy, chromatography, or physical properties. There are usually trade-offs and compromises.  Maybe you need a laboratory. Which is the correct solution for your process or plant ?  Contract Us, and we will guide you through.  

METHOD / PROCEDURE DEVELOPMENT

Need a method for routine laboratory analysis ?  We can evaluate, design and develop test methods  tuned specifically to the product,  material, environment or process of your choosing.  We will evaluate interferences, define limitations, and assist in the implementation of the method with on-site training, and procedure writing.  Among our services are:

*Design/research

*Limitation delineation/ e.g. interferences, quantification limits

*Method/ procedure evaluations

 *Writing/Publication

Methods and  procedures we develop are separations,  spectroscopy, or  wet chemistry based.   They can be  for laboratory, factory or field use, and can employ rapid analysis technologies suited for large numbers of samples and fast turnaround.

ANALYTICAL SEPARATIONS CENTER

CHROMATOGRAPHY

Need a separation method for quantifying organic impurities or measuring major organic  components of a mixture.  We can devise a separation and measurement strategy, then build a chromatographic method to solve most exacting measurement challenges.   We apply GC, HPLC and TLC techniques to many complicated analytical matrix scenarios, and can add spectroscopic confirmation for the most demanding situations.

 CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS

A  technique that affords the possibility for determinations of substances which can be made ionic in solution, we can tailor a CE method to replace frustrating ion exchange, GC or HPLC methodologies and measure trace ions in very  complex solutions, such as biological fluids or industrial process streams.

We have practiced and developed CE methods for over 10 years, and can build one to measure ions in biotech processes, such as fermentation and other microbial stews.     Try us !

 SAMPLE PRETREATMENT

We can devise ways to enhance the quality of samples before they are analyzed,  thereby improving the reliability of results.    Samples are often too dirty for costly, highly sophisticated instruments and over time the dirt deposits cause premature disintegration of analytical quality.   With sample pretreatment techniques, we devise  ways to clean up the sample to improve method reliability or preconcentrate the important trace analytes for your lab method.

SPECTROSCOPY CENTER

Spectroscopy is the science of the interaction of various forms of light (energy) with matter.   Energy interacts in predictable and well defined ways with matter, and this certainty allows for the possibility of defining chemical and elemental composition.  Various types of spectroscopy give different kinds of complementary and sometimes similar information.   We routinely use these different types of information to characterize or identify unknown samples or measure the concentration of specific substances. 

       INFRARED AND RAMAN

       GC/MS LC/MS

         NMR

       ICP-INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA OES, OR MS

       UV/VISIBLE

       ARC/SPARK EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY

        X-RAY FLUORESCENCE

        X-RAY DIFFRACTION

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

Knowing what buttons to push is often not enough, especially in the face of today's fast-moving, ever present change. If you are building an analytical chemistry laboratory or installing analysis equipment and require lab personnel to be trained to use equipment or implement procedures, we can assist by setting up an on-going program to assist the instrument operator how to perform the tests, and what to do when things go wrong.

LABORATORY DEVELOPMENT

If you would like to add an analytical chemistry laboratory to your capability we can guide you through the process of budgeting, selecting equipment, and site requirements.  Click here if you have an interest in developing a laboratory for biodiesel fuel testing.