Call Scott Gifford today with your questions!
800.528.7411 x1642 • 602.281.1642
sgifford@azic.com • www.azic.com
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Test for Moisture in Recycled Materials
Thursday, July 9, 2009
BIO RESIN APPROVED Moisture Analysis
No Hazardous Chemicals or ReagentsSimple to Operate
ASTM Approved: D7191-05
Computrac® Vapor Pro® Moisture Specific Analyzer
Scott Gifford, National Account Representative - Plastics Division
800.528.7411 x1642 • 602.281.1642
sgifford@azic.com • www.azic.com
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Do you want to connect your analytical equipment up to a computer but do not have the bench space or workstations available?Arizona Instrument has solved your need for space. The Computrac® MAX® 4000XL & MAX 5000XL moisture, solids, and ash analyzers has a web server feature. This feature allows you to connect the instrument to your intranet and allows access to the instrument from any computer on your network. The instruments also have a USB port so you can download data onto a thumb drive and take it with you. If you would like virtually unlimited memory, but do not have unlimited space, check out the MAX® 4000XL or MAX® 5000XL!
Let me know how I can assist you further. I look forward to your call!
Kris Vancers
Account Development Specialist
800.528.7411 x1655 • 602.281.1655
kvancers@azic.com • www.azic.com
Monday, June 1, 2009
Send in your sample!
We have a full service lab at Arizona Instrument LLC dedicated to testing for moisture in your samples!
ALL INDUSTRIES
Call us today to find out more!
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414 • www.azic.com • sales@azic.com
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Moisture?
Test without opening the bottle.
Arizona Instrument LLC
Exclusive Manufacturer of Computrac® Moisture Analyzers and Jerome® Mercury and Hydrogen Sulfide Analyzers
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414 • www.azic.com • sales@azic.com
Friday, May 8, 2009
Black Liquor
Here at AZI there is always a never-ending flow of new and different samples that present different obstacles for us lab folks. Recently, I had the perverse pleasure of testing moisture in a by-product of the paper industry: black liquor.
The name “black liquor” is deceiving in hiding its toxicity… and its overall smelly, sticky, and disagreeable disposition. Its physical state ranges from solid to liquid depending on the temperature. At warm temperatures it has the consistency of melting tar; or thick syrup that you would never in a million years want to put on your pancakes. I lack the words that describe how it smells (especially after testing), but I can assure you it is one of the most offensive smells you run into while working in a moisture analysis lab.
Black liquor is composed of water, cellulose, lignin, sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide and does range from dark brown to black.
To test this material, we follow a TAPPI method, which consists of weighing the sample beforehand, heating it in an oven at 105°C for six hours, and then reweighing after to determine the amount of moisture driven off. We then test the sample on one of our Computrac line of instruments to insure it conforms to our reference testing.
This sample posed several problems;
1. Black Liquor is highly caustic so it needs to be disposed of as hazardous waste and needs to be handled accordingly
2. Condensed black liquor is a solid at room temperature so it needs to be heated before handling 3. It tends to trap moisture during testing
4. The sodium hydroxide in the sample reacts with aluminum which is the material our oven and instrument pans are made of. This reaction lowers the percent moisture by a couple of percentage points.
It’s unusual that one sample would present so many problems, but fortunately we were able to find solutions to all of them.
Our lab is well equipped to handle a hazardous waste like black liquor. All instrument testing was done in a hood and all testing materials were bagged, labeled, and disposed of in our hazardous waste container. All the necessary personal protective equipment needed was available; numerous gloves and bench covers were used as the liquor tends to get everywhere pretty quickly!
The black liquor had to be maintained in a water bath to soften it up enough to use a syringe. The syringes themselves had to be stored in a furnace on low heat so the liquor wouldn’t solidify in the syringe between tests.
To combat moisture trapping; the sample was diluted with de-ionized water prior to oven testing. The amount of dilution was weighted beforehand and factored into our moisture calculations. Silica sand was heated to 850°C to remove contaminants and added to the sample bottles. The sand acts as a filter to keep the black liquor from condensing and trapping moisture.
We have glass weighting bottles with stoppers for corrosive samples such as this for oven testing. For our instrument testing we have a different solution: fiber glass filters. Two pieces of fiber glass filters were used to keep the liquor from reacting with the aluminum pan used in our Computrac Max instruments. Not only does this separate the sample from the pan but it keeps the test times under 15 minutes: it serves the same role as the sand in our oven testing.
Using these methods described above we were able to get quick and effective results; which was great considering the challenges presented with this sample. Testing black liquor was a first for me, but it’s probably not the last difficult sample I’m going to run into… there is always that new different material you never thought about testing right around the corner!
Manuel Oropeza
Lab Technician
800.528.7411
www.azic.com
The name “black liquor” is deceiving in hiding its toxicity… and its overall smelly, sticky, and disagreeable disposition. Its physical state ranges from solid to liquid depending on the temperature. At warm temperatures it has the consistency of melting tar; or thick syrup that you would never in a million years want to put on your pancakes. I lack the words that describe how it smells (especially after testing), but I can assure you it is one of the most offensive smells you run into while working in a moisture analysis lab.
Black liquor is composed of water, cellulose, lignin, sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide and does range from dark brown to black.
To test this material, we follow a TAPPI method, which consists of weighing the sample beforehand, heating it in an oven at 105°C for six hours, and then reweighing after to determine the amount of moisture driven off. We then test the sample on one of our Computrac line of instruments to insure it conforms to our reference testing.
This sample posed several problems;
1. Black Liquor is highly caustic so it needs to be disposed of as hazardous waste and needs to be handled accordingly
2. Condensed black liquor is a solid at room temperature so it needs to be heated before handling 3. It tends to trap moisture during testing
4. The sodium hydroxide in the sample reacts with aluminum which is the material our oven and instrument pans are made of. This reaction lowers the percent moisture by a couple of percentage points.
It’s unusual that one sample would present so many problems, but fortunately we were able to find solutions to all of them.
Our lab is well equipped to handle a hazardous waste like black liquor. All instrument testing was done in a hood and all testing materials were bagged, labeled, and disposed of in our hazardous waste container. All the necessary personal protective equipment needed was available; numerous gloves and bench covers were used as the liquor tends to get everywhere pretty quickly!
The black liquor had to be maintained in a water bath to soften it up enough to use a syringe. The syringes themselves had to be stored in a furnace on low heat so the liquor wouldn’t solidify in the syringe between tests.
To combat moisture trapping; the sample was diluted with de-ionized water prior to oven testing. The amount of dilution was weighted beforehand and factored into our moisture calculations. Silica sand was heated to 850°C to remove contaminants and added to the sample bottles. The sand acts as a filter to keep the black liquor from condensing and trapping moisture.
We have glass weighting bottles with stoppers for corrosive samples such as this for oven testing. For our instrument testing we have a different solution: fiber glass filters. Two pieces of fiber glass filters were used to keep the liquor from reacting with the aluminum pan used in our Computrac Max instruments. Not only does this separate the sample from the pan but it keeps the test times under 15 minutes: it serves the same role as the sand in our oven testing.
Using these methods described above we were able to get quick and effective results; which was great considering the challenges presented with this sample. Testing black liquor was a first for me, but it’s probably not the last difficult sample I’m going to run into… there is always that new different material you never thought about testing right around the corner!
Manuel Oropeza
Lab Technician
800.528.7411
www.azic.com
Monday, May 4, 2009
Testing Liquids with the Computrac Vapor Pro, GREEN Karl Fischer Alternative
TESTING LIQUIDS WITH THE VAPOR PRO
The Vapor Pro® has a programmable bottle purge function to evacuate any ambient air trapped in the vial by running dry air or nitrogen through the vial before the test begins. However, some liquids are very susceptible to giving up moisture at very low temperatures. So how can you test a liquid accurately if it is losing moisture before you even start a test? The Vapor Pro® pre-bottle purge method is the answer. By pre-purging the vial you are able to inject the liquid sample into a dry environment without worry of loosing moisture to the atmosphere or the Vapor Pro® standard bottle purge. In addition to using this method you can program the instrument with a zero bottle purge time and start the test right away. Follow the below procedure to pre-purge your vials and see if this will help in your accuracy and repeatability.
Vapor Pro Pre Bottle Purge Procedure
•Place empty vial, with septa & cap securely fastened, into Vapor Pro® carriage
•Choose any program (ideally the program you will subsequently use to test a sample)
•Press start and enter in 0.00 weight
•Test should take a couple minutes. Once test is done, be careful…the vial will be hot.
•You can purge multiple bottles for later use. The bottle purge is good for about 24hrs.
•Do not remove cap and septa from bottle
Once the vial has cooled down and you have a sample ready to test, tare the entire vial on a balance. Once the tare is complete, use a syringe with needle and pierce the septa close to the edge of the cap (don’t pierce the middle of the septa) and place about 10 drops of sample into the vial. Place the vial back on the balance to obtain the start weight. Choose correct program, place the vial into the Vapor Pro® carriage, press start, and follow the on screen instructions.
If you use this procedure to test your sample be sure you are using a zero purge.
Please call us for more information!
Kris Vancers
Account Development Specialist
800.528.7411 x1655 • 602.281.1655
kvancers@azic.com • www.azic.com
The Vapor Pro® has a programmable bottle purge function to evacuate any ambient air trapped in the vial by running dry air or nitrogen through the vial before the test begins. However, some liquids are very susceptible to giving up moisture at very low temperatures. So how can you test a liquid accurately if it is losing moisture before you even start a test? The Vapor Pro® pre-bottle purge method is the answer. By pre-purging the vial you are able to inject the liquid sample into a dry environment without worry of loosing moisture to the atmosphere or the Vapor Pro® standard bottle purge. In addition to using this method you can program the instrument with a zero bottle purge time and start the test right away. Follow the below procedure to pre-purge your vials and see if this will help in your accuracy and repeatability.
Vapor Pro Pre Bottle Purge Procedure
•Place empty vial, with septa & cap securely fastened, into Vapor Pro® carriage
•Choose any program (ideally the program you will subsequently use to test a sample)
•Press start and enter in 0.00 weight
•Test should take a couple minutes. Once test is done, be careful…the vial will be hot.
•You can purge multiple bottles for later use. The bottle purge is good for about 24hrs.
•Do not remove cap and septa from bottle
Once the vial has cooled down and you have a sample ready to test, tare the entire vial on a balance. Once the tare is complete, use a syringe with needle and pierce the septa close to the edge of the cap (don’t pierce the middle of the septa) and place about 10 drops of sample into the vial. Place the vial back on the balance to obtain the start weight. Choose correct program, place the vial into the Vapor Pro® carriage, press start, and follow the on screen instructions.
If you use this procedure to test your sample be sure you are using a zero purge.
Please call us for more information!
Kris Vancers
Account Development Specialist
800.528.7411 x1655 • 602.281.1655
kvancers@azic.com • www.azic.com
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Computrac® MAX® 5000XL
Weight Test
To ensure proper calibration and become familiar with the instrument, run a weight test. This test simulates moisture loss by the removal of one of two known weights. Both a three and a five gram weight are required.
• Ensure that a clean, dry, empty sample pan is placed on the pan support.
• From the Main Test Screen, press [MEMORY].
• If the highlight bar is not already there, highlight (Factory) WEIGHT and press [START].
• One of several prompts may appear depending on the last measured weight. Follow the instructions given until the "OPEN LID" "ADD SAMPLE..." prompt appears on the screen. Open the lid and carefully place both the 5 gram and the 3 gram weights near the center of the sample pan.
• Close the lid.
• After the Main Test Screen is displayed, gently open the lid, carefully remove the 3 gram weight, and gently close the lid.
• Wait for the end of the test.
• If this is the first test of the day, discard the results of this test for stability reasons and perform the test again.
• Record the final test result. The value should fall between 37.4800% and 37.5200%.
• If the results are out of tolerance, repeat the balance calibration and weight test. If the result is still out of tolerance, call AZI customer service at 800.528.7411 or 602.470.1414 for assistance.
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
• Ensure that a clean, dry, empty sample pan is placed on the pan support.
• From the Main Test Screen, press [MEMORY].
• If the highlight bar is not already there, highlight (Factory) WEIGHT and press [START].
• One of several prompts may appear depending on the last measured weight. Follow the instructions given until the "OPEN LID" "ADD SAMPLE..." prompt appears on the screen. Open the lid and carefully place both the 5 gram and the 3 gram weights near the center of the sample pan.
• Close the lid.
• After the Main Test Screen is displayed, gently open the lid, carefully remove the 3 gram weight, and gently close the lid.
• Wait for the end of the test.
• If this is the first test of the day, discard the results of this test for stability reasons and perform the test again.
• Record the final test result. The value should fall between 37.4800% and 37.5200%.
• If the results are out of tolerance, repeat the balance calibration and weight test. If the result is still out of tolerance, call AZI customer service at 800.528.7411 or 602.470.1414 for assistance.
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Monday, April 27, 2009
Moisture Content Trends
There are three types of "trend" sampling to consider in analyzing fuel moisture with the Computrac® Fuel Moisture Analyzer. The LONG-TERM trend involved primarily the sampling of green or living vegetation. Generally, moisture content changes relatively slowly in these materials, and weekly sampling at a pre-established time and location may be sufficient to plot these trends.
Dead fuels and some living fuels may exhibit diurnal or MEDIUM-TERM trends in moisture content. If you are interested in these changes, sample frequently to reflect these variations. Three times during a 24-hour period should be sufficient. Be sure to carefully stratify your sample.
Fine dead fuels (one hour time lag) represent the SHORT-TERM trend and the moisture content of these materials fluctuate continuously throughout the day and night. It is difficult to develop a trend for these fuels, but by sampling at the same location, and at the same time each day, a general trend may be established. This trend can be affected by minor changes in the weather and it may be useful to maintain a set of on-site notes on rainfall, cloud cover, relative humidity, etc., to accompany each day's fuel moisture sampling. This information can help explain changes in both short and long-term trends in fuel moisture.
Please call us today for more information!
800.290.1414 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Dead fuels and some living fuels may exhibit diurnal or MEDIUM-TERM trends in moisture content. If you are interested in these changes, sample frequently to reflect these variations. Three times during a 24-hour period should be sufficient. Be sure to carefully stratify your sample.
Fine dead fuels (one hour time lag) represent the SHORT-TERM trend and the moisture content of these materials fluctuate continuously throughout the day and night. It is difficult to develop a trend for these fuels, but by sampling at the same location, and at the same time each day, a general trend may be established. This trend can be affected by minor changes in the weather and it may be useful to maintain a set of on-site notes on rainfall, cloud cover, relative humidity, etc., to accompany each day's fuel moisture sampling. This information can help explain changes in both short and long-term trends in fuel moisture.
Please call us today for more information!
800.290.1414 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Friday, April 24, 2009
AZI at a Glance
Arizona Instrument is an ISO 9001:2000 registered company that designs, manufactures, and markets Computrac® precision moisture analysis instruments and portable and fixed Jerome® gas analyzers. We provide complete pre- and post-sale customer service including application development, training, and instrument calibration and repair.
Computrac® Vapor Pro® moisture analyzers detect moisture levels as low as 10 ppm, or 10 mg, in samples as small as 10 mg utilizing moisture-specific sensors to eliminate volatile interferences. Computrac® MAX® moisture analyzers measure moisture content as low as 0.005 percent in as few as 3 minutes. These instruments are durable, easy to use, and equally suitable for the production floor and the laboratory.
Utilizing patented gold sensor technology, the Jerome® 631-X measures hydrogen sulfide concentrations of 3ppb to 50ppm, while the Jerome® 431-X mercury vapor analyzer detects concentrations from 0.003 to 0.999mg/m3, all in just 13 seconds. The Jerome® 860 hydrogen sulfide monitor provides automatic, unattended, long-term monitoring of hydrogen sulfide gases in contained or hard to reach areas. The compact, battery powered 860 is water resistant and intrinsically safe. Accessories include a field test kit for easy verification of instrument calibration, a data logger for data acquisition and instrument programming, and software for connecting the analyzers to computers.
Computrac® Vapor Pro® moisture analyzers detect moisture levels as low as 10 ppm, or 10 mg, in samples as small as 10 mg utilizing moisture-specific sensors to eliminate volatile interferences. Computrac® MAX® moisture analyzers measure moisture content as low as 0.005 percent in as few as 3 minutes. These instruments are durable, easy to use, and equally suitable for the production floor and the laboratory.
Utilizing patented gold sensor technology, the Jerome® 631-X measures hydrogen sulfide concentrations of 3ppb to 50ppm, while the Jerome® 431-X mercury vapor analyzer detects concentrations from 0.003 to 0.999mg/m3, all in just 13 seconds. The Jerome® 860 hydrogen sulfide monitor provides automatic, unattended, long-term monitoring of hydrogen sulfide gases in contained or hard to reach areas. The compact, battery powered 860 is water resistant and intrinsically safe. Accessories include a field test kit for easy verification of instrument calibration, a data logger for data acquisition and instrument programming, and software for connecting the analyzers to computers.
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Please contact us with questions at:
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Moisture Analysis for Paper Production
When manufacturing paper and paper products moisture content is a crucial component of the final product. Moisture helps bind the fibers together; too little moisture will result in poor structural integrity, but if you have too much moisture, your paper will become wavy and be prone to discoloration. The production process and the environment can cause the level of moisture to change from day to day. Because of this volatility and the importance of moisture in the fianl product, testing should be conducted to ensure quality.
Arizona Instrument LLC is the exclusive manufacturer of the Computrac® Moisture Analysis Instrumentation, the leader in moisture/solids analysis. Computrac® Moisture Analyzers are at the cutting edge for testing moisture within a sample. Computrac® Moisture Analyzers process samples in minutes, while other methods take hours. This speed is teamed up with a durable exterior, to make a Computrac® Moisture Analyzer perfect for the production floor. With a Computrac® Moisture Analyzer testing samples throughout the manufacturing process, you can minimize the need for quality control, saving time and money.
Another feature that makes Computrac® Moisture Analysis Instrumentation particularly useful for the paper industry is ash analysis. The MAX® 5000 can heat a sample up to 600°C and ignite it. The left over ash is used to measure the amount of fiber content in the material. The sealed testing component and heavy insulation protects the user from the heat. Computrac® Moisture Analyzers are designed to serve the user; they are easy to use and have many convenience features. For example, the MAX® 5000 will store data from the last 1000 tests and graph from the alst 100 tests.
Computrac® Moisture Analysis instrumentation; manufactured by Arizona Instrument LLC, is easy to use and programmable, which means you can spend less time testing and more time producing. Arizona Instrument LLC has multiple products with differing features. The Computrac® MAX® 2000XL, MAX® 4000XL, MAX® 5000 and 5000XL are available to meet your moisture/solids analysis needs.
Call us today for more information on how to start a FREE trial!
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Arizona Instrument LLC is the exclusive manufacturer of the Computrac® Moisture Analysis Instrumentation, the leader in moisture/solids analysis. Computrac® Moisture Analyzers are at the cutting edge for testing moisture within a sample. Computrac® Moisture Analyzers process samples in minutes, while other methods take hours. This speed is teamed up with a durable exterior, to make a Computrac® Moisture Analyzer perfect for the production floor. With a Computrac® Moisture Analyzer testing samples throughout the manufacturing process, you can minimize the need for quality control, saving time and money.
Another feature that makes Computrac® Moisture Analysis Instrumentation particularly useful for the paper industry is ash analysis. The MAX® 5000 can heat a sample up to 600°C and ignite it. The left over ash is used to measure the amount of fiber content in the material. The sealed testing component and heavy insulation protects the user from the heat. Computrac® Moisture Analyzers are designed to serve the user; they are easy to use and have many convenience features. For example, the MAX® 5000 will store data from the last 1000 tests and graph from the alst 100 tests.
Computrac® Moisture Analysis instrumentation; manufactured by Arizona Instrument LLC, is easy to use and programmable, which means you can spend less time testing and more time producing. Arizona Instrument LLC has multiple products with differing features. The Computrac® MAX® 2000XL, MAX® 4000XL, MAX® 5000 and 5000XL are available to meet your moisture/solids analysis needs.
Call us today for more information on how to start a FREE trial!
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Getting Started Sampling Fuel Moisture
For purposes of establishing trends in moisture content, the principles applied in sampling and monitoring fuel moisture are similar to those used in fire weather observations. We take fire weather observations at stations selected as being typical in weather characteristics of the geographical area of interest. Because of the geographical variability of local weather, observations at the station at any given time are not likely to correspond precisely to weather conditions at other points within the area. Therefore, a weather observation at the station is actually only a sample of the weather for the larger geographical area.
To begin observations of fuel moisture, select an area of a few acres that is representative of a more extensive geographical area. Collect samples of fuel from this small area for moisture determination. This fuel moisture sampling area serves the same function in fuel moisture monitoring as the weather station in the monitoring of fire weather. Like the fire weather sample, the fuel moisture sample will only approximate the fuel moisture conditions over the larger geographical area because of the spatial variations in factors influencing fuel moisture.
There are 4 major factors affecting the comparison of fire weather observations and indices. These include:
1. Standardization of weather instruments
2. The exposure of these instruments to variable weather conditions
3. Observation procedures
4. Specific time that observations are made
Time and space comparability of fuel moisture observation are acheived by:
1. Standardization of fuel sample collection
2. Moisture determination procedures
3. Specification of sampling conditions
Please call us today to find moisture analysis instrumentation to help you test during this process.
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
To begin observations of fuel moisture, select an area of a few acres that is representative of a more extensive geographical area. Collect samples of fuel from this small area for moisture determination. This fuel moisture sampling area serves the same function in fuel moisture monitoring as the weather station in the monitoring of fire weather. Like the fire weather sample, the fuel moisture sample will only approximate the fuel moisture conditions over the larger geographical area because of the spatial variations in factors influencing fuel moisture.
There are 4 major factors affecting the comparison of fire weather observations and indices. These include:
1. Standardization of weather instruments
2. The exposure of these instruments to variable weather conditions
3. Observation procedures
4. Specific time that observations are made
Time and space comparability of fuel moisture observation are acheived by:
1. Standardization of fuel sample collection
2. Moisture determination procedures
3. Specification of sampling conditions
Please call us today to find moisture analysis instrumentation to help you test during this process.
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Moisture Analysis - Gypsum Coal Fired Power Plants
The Computrac® MAX® 5000XL provides:• Elimination of unnecessary cost associated with Titration and TGA Methods
• Accurate test results for Gypsum within MINUTES
• Ease of use with lowest cost per test
FREE MOISTURE %, DIHYDRATE % or HEMIHYDRATE % results ALL IN ONE TEST!
The Computrac® MAX® 5000XL advances the state of the art in rapid moisture and ash analysis with a new temperature controlled balance and high temperature lift compensation algorithm that provides users with more stablea nd accurate measurements. The new instrument also features a temperature ramp control feature that allows the MAX® 5000XL to be used for qualitative analyses that were previously only possible using a more expensive thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). READ MORE
Call Stephanie Blaha today with any questions!
Stephanie Blaha
Senior Account Representative
Arizona Instrument LLC
800.290.1414 x1726 • 602.281.1726
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Monday, April 20, 2009
Don't Guess - MEASURE!
Manage your moisture and solids to save time and money.
Levels of moisture and solids in paints and inks greatly influence the quality of the final product. Too much moisture in paint will damage its adhesive quality, while too little can lead to a liquid that is too thick to apply effectively. Similarly, solids directly affect the appearance and viscosity. Production methods and the environment can cause these properties to change on a daily basis. In order to maintain a reliable product, testing should be conducted regularly.
Arizona Instrument is the manufacturer and supplier of the Computrac MAX® 2000, MAX® 4000XL, MAX® 5000, and the MAX® 5000XL Analyzers. This instrumentation is the leader in all industries for moisture and solids analysis, but Arizona Instrument has created features specifically for the paint and ink industry including syringe tests to eliminate solvent evaporation, foil tests to analyze paint solids, and nitrogen purge to eliminate flashing commonly caused by volatiles in samples.
Computrac® Moisture/Solids Analyzers are faster, more accurate, and safer than the alternatives. Computrac® Moisture Analyzers process a sample in minutes instead of the hours traditional methods require, so you can test more samples without slowing down production. The Computrac® design completely encloses the sample for minimal environmental interference with the sample, reducing error in the test. Sturdy materials and heavy insulation protect the user and the environment from the heat of the test. These instruments are designed for ease of use, so you don’t need to be a chemist to run a test. Also, Computrac® Moisture Analyzers are the ASTM for rapid determination of the nonvolatile content of coatings by loss in weight. This method has been through rigorous testing and has been adopted as the standard because of its reliability and speed.
Computrac® instrumentation, manufactured by Arizona Instrument, is easy to use and programmable, which means you can spend less time testing and more time producing. Arizona Instrument has multiple products to meet the specific needs of the customer. The Computrac® MAX® 2000XL, MAX® 4000, MAX® 5000 and 5000XL are available to meet your moisture/solids analysis needs.
Please contact us with any questions at:
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Levels of moisture and solids in paints and inks greatly influence the quality of the final product. Too much moisture in paint will damage its adhesive quality, while too little can lead to a liquid that is too thick to apply effectively. Similarly, solids directly affect the appearance and viscosity. Production methods and the environment can cause these properties to change on a daily basis. In order to maintain a reliable product, testing should be conducted regularly.
Arizona Instrument is the manufacturer and supplier of the Computrac MAX® 2000, MAX® 4000XL, MAX® 5000, and the MAX® 5000XL Analyzers. This instrumentation is the leader in all industries for moisture and solids analysis, but Arizona Instrument has created features specifically for the paint and ink industry including syringe tests to eliminate solvent evaporation, foil tests to analyze paint solids, and nitrogen purge to eliminate flashing commonly caused by volatiles in samples.
Computrac® Moisture/Solids Analyzers are faster, more accurate, and safer than the alternatives. Computrac® Moisture Analyzers process a sample in minutes instead of the hours traditional methods require, so you can test more samples without slowing down production. The Computrac® design completely encloses the sample for minimal environmental interference with the sample, reducing error in the test. Sturdy materials and heavy insulation protect the user and the environment from the heat of the test. These instruments are designed for ease of use, so you don’t need to be a chemist to run a test. Also, Computrac® Moisture Analyzers are the ASTM for rapid determination of the nonvolatile content of coatings by loss in weight. This method has been through rigorous testing and has been adopted as the standard because of its reliability and speed.
Computrac® instrumentation, manufactured by Arizona Instrument, is easy to use and programmable, which means you can spend less time testing and more time producing. Arizona Instrument has multiple products to meet the specific needs of the customer. The Computrac® MAX® 2000XL, MAX® 4000, MAX® 5000 and 5000XL are available to meet your moisture/solids analysis needs.
Please contact us with any questions at:
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Friday, April 17, 2009
History of the Vapor Pro®
The environmentally green Computrac® Vapor Pro® moisture analyzer was built at our facility in Tempe, AZ. Originally named the Computrac® CT-3000 in 1997, it was developed to answer the need and demand of our customers to provide an alternative to antiquated methods that were not eco friendly.
Our customers wanted something simple to setup, easy to use, reliable, and of utmost importance comparable to Karl Fischer titration with respect to precision and repeatability. It can even be used under ASTM D7191-05 for Determination of Moisture in Plastics by Relative Humidity Sensor.Its theory of operation is simple. You weigh a sample, tell the instrument the weight of that sample and the instrument does the rest. The sample is heated; water and volatiles evolve from the sample. As the moist air from the sample makes its way through the instrument manifold, a polymer capacitance sensor (fancy name for a RH humidity sensor) "counts" the water molecules by monitoring the change in resistance of the sensor as the moist air passes over it. Non-water molecules are ignored. The mass of water is compared to the original weight of the sample and a percent moisture or ppm of moisture is calculated. (ex. 100 micrograms H2O/1 gram sample x 100 = 0.0100% H2O)With the increasing success of the instrument, the most current version of the instrument was released in 2003.
The Vapor Pro® Linear (CT-3100-L). Linearization of the sensor assembly which represents the heart of the instrument provides precision and repeatability that often surpasses that of the Karl Fischer. Another advantage of the Vapor Pro® is the lack of interferences. The Vapor Pro® uses zero chemicals! Not even Pentaoxide, as used by some of our competitors that claim to use no chemicals. No other water specific analyzer we are aware of can truthfully claim, zero chemicals.As the manufacturer of the Vapor Pro® we have continued to revise and improve the instrument by listening to the Plastics Industry (our customers).
If you find yourself wondering how this instrument can help in your drying and processing procedures or you just want to see what the buzz is about, please contact us for a FREE TRIAL instrument!
Call me today with questions!
Scott Gifford
National Account Representative
800.290.1414 x1642 • 602.281.1642
sgifford@azic.com • www.azic.com
Our customers wanted something simple to setup, easy to use, reliable, and of utmost importance comparable to Karl Fischer titration with respect to precision and repeatability. It can even be used under ASTM D7191-05 for Determination of Moisture in Plastics by Relative Humidity Sensor.Its theory of operation is simple. You weigh a sample, tell the instrument the weight of that sample and the instrument does the rest. The sample is heated; water and volatiles evolve from the sample. As the moist air from the sample makes its way through the instrument manifold, a polymer capacitance sensor (fancy name for a RH humidity sensor) "counts" the water molecules by monitoring the change in resistance of the sensor as the moist air passes over it. Non-water molecules are ignored. The mass of water is compared to the original weight of the sample and a percent moisture or ppm of moisture is calculated. (ex. 100 micrograms H2O/1 gram sample x 100 = 0.0100% H2O)With the increasing success of the instrument, the most current version of the instrument was released in 2003.
The Vapor Pro® Linear (CT-3100-L). Linearization of the sensor assembly which represents the heart of the instrument provides precision and repeatability that often surpasses that of the Karl Fischer. Another advantage of the Vapor Pro® is the lack of interferences. The Vapor Pro® uses zero chemicals! Not even Pentaoxide, as used by some of our competitors that claim to use no chemicals. No other water specific analyzer we are aware of can truthfully claim, zero chemicals.As the manufacturer of the Vapor Pro® we have continued to revise and improve the instrument by listening to the Plastics Industry (our customers).
If you find yourself wondering how this instrument can help in your drying and processing procedures or you just want to see what the buzz is about, please contact us for a FREE TRIAL instrument!
Call me today with questions!
Scott Gifford
National Account Representative
800.290.1414 x1642 • 602.281.1642
sgifford@azic.com • www.azic.com
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Application Data - Paints and Coatings
Application Data on the Computrac® MAX® 5000
Find application data for Paints and Coatings on our website. Please call us today if you would like to see application data for your sample on this, or another moisture analyzer from Arizona Instrument LLC.
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Find application data for Paints and Coatings on our website. Please call us today if you would like to see application data for your sample on this, or another moisture analyzer from Arizona Instrument LLC. 800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Ultimate Tool for Chemical Production
“A Computrac® is to the chemicals industry, like a hammer is to carpentry.”
Computrac® instrumentation, manufactured by AZI, can be used to analyze the amount of moisture in a substance, evaluate the concentration of a complex chemical sample, and decipher that chemical’s composition.
In the production of chemicals, the composition of the final solution must be accounted for. Computrac® Instrumentation, with their graphic displays, are essential for mapping the loss of moisture at changing temperatures to ascertain the levels of different chemicals within a product. With extra abilities like the high start feature, the Computrac® moisture analyzer can test the effectiveness of past methods for moisture analysis. Often AZI’s instrumentation has proven the unreliability of oven tests previously being used in companies. After these manufacturers were made aware of the flaws in their testing, they were able to vastly improve their company’s methods and product. Read more
Please call us today to set up a FREE trial!
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Computrac® instrumentation, manufactured by AZI, can be used to analyze the amount of moisture in a substance, evaluate the concentration of a complex chemical sample, and decipher that chemical’s composition.
In the production of chemicals, the composition of the final solution must be accounted for. Computrac® Instrumentation, with their graphic displays, are essential for mapping the loss of moisture at changing temperatures to ascertain the levels of different chemicals within a product. With extra abilities like the high start feature, the Computrac® moisture analyzer can test the effectiveness of past methods for moisture analysis. Often AZI’s instrumentation has proven the unreliability of oven tests previously being used in companies. After these manufacturers were made aware of the flaws in their testing, they were able to vastly improve their company’s methods and product. Read more
Please call us today to set up a FREE trial!
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Account for Moisture or be Accountable
From raw materials to the finished product, Computrac® Moisture Analyzers are the instruments to guarantee quality and speed in production.
In the pharmaceutical industry the highest standard of quality is required by the government and customers. When there is a small mistake in the production of pharmaceuticals it turns into a big problem for that company. The strict nature of this industry demands constant testing of products to meet expectations. Moisture must be managed and the ingredients in any drug must be accounted for. Computrac® moisture analyzers, manufactured by Arizona Instrument, are the best tools to meet these needs.
Computrac® instrumentation is used throughout the pharmaceutical industry, because of its speed, reliability, and ease of use. When it comes to moisture analysis, Computrac® analyzers run tests in minutes instead of the hours that traditional methods require. This speed makes testing during manufacturing possible without slowing down the process. The strength of a Computrac® is evident when it is used daily on production floors and its reliability doesn’t waiver. All of our instruments are designed to be operated by anyone; no chemistry degree is required. LCD screens and built in statistical analysis only make testing easier and faster. Read more
Please call us today with questions!
In the pharmaceutical industry the highest standard of quality is required by the government and customers. When there is a small mistake in the production of pharmaceuticals it turns into a big problem for that company. The strict nature of this industry demands constant testing of products to meet expectations. Moisture must be managed and the ingredients in any drug must be accounted for. Computrac® moisture analyzers, manufactured by Arizona Instrument, are the best tools to meet these needs.
Computrac® instrumentation is used throughout the pharmaceutical industry, because of its speed, reliability, and ease of use. When it comes to moisture analysis, Computrac® analyzers run tests in minutes instead of the hours that traditional methods require. This speed makes testing during manufacturing possible without slowing down the process. The strength of a Computrac® is evident when it is used daily on production floors and its reliability doesn’t waiver. All of our instruments are designed to be operated by anyone; no chemistry degree is required. LCD screens and built in statistical analysis only make testing easier and faster. Read more
Please call us today with questions!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Excessive Flaming - LOI
One issue commonly encountered when testing materials for ash/loss on ignition (L.O.I) is excessive flaming. Violent, uncontrolled combustion in a crucible doesn’t normally precede high precision test results. As a workaround, it’s common when testing flammable materials for ash by conventional methods such as a muffle furnace that a stepwise approach to heating be applied. First the sample is brought to a temperature where it will smolder, but not flame. The temperature is increased slowly over time until the desired test temperature is reached. While this approach works, it significantly increases test times. It also requires that the operator stop what they’re doing at regular intervals to step up the temperature on the muffle furnace. It’s an effective, if not altogether operator friendly process.
Modern rapid ash/L.O.I. analyzers like the MAX® 5000XL can automate this process and make it essentially painless. Perhaps more importantly, they can offer a granularity of control that is not possible under the classic operator intensive method. The only investment is a bit of up front programming on the part of the operator. Consider this extreme process:
Heat sample from 60°C to 250°C
Hold at 250°C for exactly 8 minutes
Heat from 250°C to 400°C at a controlled rate of 5°C per minute
Hold at 400°C for exactly 15 minutes
Heat from 400°C to 600°C
Hold until rate of weight loss in the sample is less than 0.0500%/minute
A process like that would be impossible for a human operator to execute once, let alone replicate for multiple trials. However once the programming is done, not only can the MAX® 5000XL execute these steps, it can export all the data to an Excel file so that the operator can examine any portion of the process in detail.
Modern rapid ash/L.O.I. analyzers like the MAX® 5000XL can automate this process and make it essentially painless. Perhaps more importantly, they can offer a granularity of control that is not possible under the classic operator intensive method. The only investment is a bit of up front programming on the part of the operator. Consider this extreme process:
Heat sample from 60°C to 250°C
Hold at 250°C for exactly 8 minutes
Heat from 250°C to 400°C at a controlled rate of 5°C per minute
Hold at 400°C for exactly 15 minutes
Heat from 400°C to 600°C
Hold until rate of weight loss in the sample is less than 0.0500%/minute
A process like that would be impossible for a human operator to execute once, let alone replicate for multiple trials. However once the programming is done, not only can the MAX® 5000XL execute these steps, it can export all the data to an Excel file so that the operator can examine any portion of the process in detail.
Friday, April 10, 2009
International Sales
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Arizona Instrument has a network of sales representatives around the world ready to assist you with your moisture analysis needs. If you are interested in seeing if your product will run well on the Computrac®, contact one of our local sales representatives outside of the U.S. They can provide you with a free demonstration at your facility or arrange to send some of your samples to our laboratory for testing. Within 1-2 weeks, you will have results showing the performance of your product on the Computrac® versus a standard reference method such as Karl Fischer titration or the standard oven. Also, many of our representatives are factory trained and certified to service and support your instrument to ensure it is operating within specifications.
Visit our website to find a representative near you: http://www.azic.com/cs_international.aspx?blog=moisture
Jeff Ho
Visit our website to find a representative near you: http://www.azic.com/cs_international.aspx?blog=moisture
Jeff Ho
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Moisture Analysis in Paints and Coatings
The Computrac® MAX® 5000XL Moisture Analyzer can precisely analyze your material in a linked series of tests without disturbing the sample’s integrity, eliminating much of the error associated with traditional test methods and allowing even the most inexperienced operators to produce consistent, dependable results. The MAX® 5000XL also has three features specifically designed for the paints and coatings industry: syringe tests to eliminate solvent evaporation, foil tests to analyze paint solids, and nitrogen purge to eliminate flashing commonly caused by volatiles in samples. Because the analyzer is chemical-free and glass-free, you can now test for inorganic content at any location in your facility without worrying about contamination.
Contact Stephanie Blaha today for more information!
800.290.1414 x1726 • 602.281.1726
sblaha@azic.com • www.azic.com
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Control Your Quality by Managing Moisture
Successfully casting plastic requires the right amount of moisture for all grades of plastic being manufactured. Excess moisture in and around the plastic pellets can weaken the structural integrity of the plastic, cause clear plastics to become cloudy, and hurt the finish of the product. On the other hand too little moisture can cause the product to be brittle and prone to cracking. Quality material cannot be produced without the right amount of moisture. Moisture isn't just a headache for quality control at a company; it also raises production costs and can slow down the process. Dryers are commonly employed at plastic manufacturers to decrease the moisture in the pellets, but without a way to test a sample from the dryer, casting becomes a costly process of trial and error.Arizona Instrument LLC is the manufacturer of Computrac® Moisture Analyzers, the answer to your plastic problems. These instruments can determine the amount of moisture in your plastics before they are cast. A Computrac® will test your sample in minutes instead of the hours that the traditional methods require and give you the information you need to make a decision. This speed and accuracy makes a Computrac® perfect for the plastic resin industry. Read more
Please let us know if you have any questions!
Scott Gifford, National Account Representative
800.290.1414 x1642 • 602.281.1642
sgifford@azic.com • www.azic.com
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Arizona Instrument Economic Recovery Offer
Over $200 Value!
In support of the current Economic Recovery, AZI is offering special discounts with the order of a Computrac® Rapid Fuel Moisture Analyzer in 2009 for the Forestry industry.
Until September 30, 2009, when you order a Computrac® Analyzer, in addition to the GSA discount pricing, we will include a 25% discount off any one accessory or operating supply and FREE shipping, an additional $100 value.
After hundreds of installations, the Computrac® Analyzers have been well received by Forestry Fire Professionals for fuel moisture data in minutes rather than hours. Read more
Please call Doug Elliott today to find out more!
Doug Elliott
National Account Representative
800.290.1414 x1725 • 602.281.1725
delliott@azic.com • sales@azic.com
www.azic.com
In support of the current Economic Recovery, AZI is offering special discounts with the order of a Computrac® Rapid Fuel Moisture Analyzer in 2009 for the Forestry industry.Until September 30, 2009, when you order a Computrac® Analyzer, in addition to the GSA discount pricing, we will include a 25% discount off any one accessory or operating supply and FREE shipping, an additional $100 value.
After hundreds of installations, the Computrac® Analyzers have been well received by Forestry Fire Professionals for fuel moisture data in minutes rather than hours. Read more
Please call Doug Elliott today to find out more!
Doug Elliott
National Account Representative
800.290.1414 x1725 • 602.281.1725
delliott@azic.com • sales@azic.com
www.azic.com
Monday, April 6, 2009
Eastern Analytical SymposiumIn November 2008, James Moore gave a talk at the annual Eastern Analytical Symposium on a GREEN approach to moisture analysis. The powerpoint is attached through the link above.
Please call us with any questions!
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
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Friday, April 3, 2009
24 Hour Customer Support!!
Our regular business hours are Monday through Friday 7a.m. to 5p.m. Mountain Standard Time. However, we realize that emergencies don’t pay attention to the clock. If you experience a serious situation after hours that needs immediate attention, call us toll free at
1-800-528-7411 or at 1-602-470-1414.
Leave your message when prompted, then press the pound (#) key, followed by the number 3. One of our trained field service engineers will be paged and will return your call within 4 hours. Non-emergency calls left after hours will be returned the next business day.
1-800-528-7411 or at 1-602-470-1414.
Leave your message when prompted, then press the pound (#) key, followed by the number 3. One of our trained field service engineers will be paged and will return your call within 4 hours. Non-emergency calls left after hours will be returned the next business day.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
A Video vs. a Snap-Shot
Many standard reference tests rely on heating a sample at a temperature like 105C for a given period of time, from an hour to over night then cooling the sample, maybe in a desiccator and weighing. One source of error that people do not realize is that the sample might regain weight due to re-hydration. This means that the reference number is different from the moisture level the process will see.
The Computrac® MAX® family of analyzers has the ability to heat the sample to a given temperature and then monitor the change in weight as the sample cools. The benefit of using a Computrac® loss on heating analyzer is that you can get the moisture number at process temperature conditions. This means that the number you report is the number the process will see.
-Doug Elliott, National Account Representative
800.290.1414 x1725 • 602.281.1725
delliott@azic.com • www.azic.com
The Computrac® MAX® family of analyzers has the ability to heat the sample to a given temperature and then monitor the change in weight as the sample cools. The benefit of using a Computrac® loss on heating analyzer is that you can get the moisture number at process temperature conditions. This means that the number you report is the number the process will see.
-Doug Elliott, National Account Representative
800.290.1414 x1725 • 602.281.1725
delliott@azic.com • www.azic.com
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Congratulations Susan Machkovech!
In an effort to reach out to our customers and gather information on how you come in contact with us, we requested you fill out a survey and in turn entered those people in a drawing for a $25 AMERICAN EXPRESS Gift Card.
The winner is Susan Machkovech! Congratulations, Susan! We appreciate your participation!
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
The winner is Susan Machkovech! Congratulations, Susan! We appreciate your participation!
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Shelf Life: Control it or Spoil
Arizona Instrument LLC provides products that empower businesses with the ability to manage moisture in their food and increase the shelf life of their products.Moldy biscuits, stale cookies and spoiled milk powder are the bane of the food industry. They are much more than just unappetizing; they are a representation of lost inventory, discarded product and wasted money. Retailers demand products with shelf lives that give them the flexibility to succeed and if your product doesn't make the cut, there is always another waiting to take your place. There is no doubt that shelf life is crucial in the food industry. Read more
Please call us with any questions!
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Monday, March 30, 2009
Strive for Perfection
Everyone has to be more in tune to their own production practices if they want to make it in today’s economy. The companies that continue to strive for perfection and offer top of the line quality items while providing the best service money can buy are the companies that will come through this sluggish economy even better than before.
How will companies provide this type of product and service if production and resources are cut? They might just want to look at a faster and more accurate way to test and to determine the solids, moisture or ash content of their products.
In this new millennium, the analytical world of testing is driven by new technologies. Moisture / solids / ash analyzers have come a long way since the 1980s and your production process and laboratory might just need to look at analyzers that will demonstrate no significant differences between vacuum ovens, air ovens, Karl Fischer Titration, muffle furnaces or other methods that are time consuming and labor intensive.
When you are looking for a new method with a moisture analyzer ask the vendor to provide an analysis of data that reveals exactly how accurate and reproducible the equipment is compared to your standard method and products similar to yours. If the consistency of the data displays high repeatability, quick test times and correlates to the standard method, then you owe it to yourself to take a closer look at that equipment.
Our analyzers will provide the best results for you in the least amount of time.
The MAX® 5000XL is the top of the line analyzer for moisture / solids/ purity of gypsum/ ash. All of our data illustrates the test method and the correlation between ASTM, VOC, AOAC, AACC, TAPPI and other standard specifications.
The greatest advantage of using our analyzers is to save you time and resources.
In this day and age, it is time to take human error out of results while reducing man-hours and providing the best quality product to your customer.
The new moisture analyzers make this possible.
-Stephanie Blaha, Senior Account Representative
Computrac® Division
800.290.1414 x1726 • 602.281.1726
sblaha@azic.com • www.azic.com
How will companies provide this type of product and service if production and resources are cut? They might just want to look at a faster and more accurate way to test and to determine the solids, moisture or ash content of their products.
In this new millennium, the analytical world of testing is driven by new technologies. Moisture / solids / ash analyzers have come a long way since the 1980s and your production process and laboratory might just need to look at analyzers that will demonstrate no significant differences between vacuum ovens, air ovens, Karl Fischer Titration, muffle furnaces or other methods that are time consuming and labor intensive.
When you are looking for a new method with a moisture analyzer ask the vendor to provide an analysis of data that reveals exactly how accurate and reproducible the equipment is compared to your standard method and products similar to yours. If the consistency of the data displays high repeatability, quick test times and correlates to the standard method, then you owe it to yourself to take a closer look at that equipment.
Our analyzers will provide the best results for you in the least amount of time.
The MAX® 5000XL is the top of the line analyzer for moisture / solids/ purity of gypsum/ ash. All of our data illustrates the test method and the correlation between ASTM, VOC, AOAC, AACC, TAPPI and other standard specifications.
The greatest advantage of using our analyzers is to save you time and resources.
In this day and age, it is time to take human error out of results while reducing man-hours and providing the best quality product to your customer.
The new moisture analyzers make this possible.
-Stephanie Blaha, Senior Account Representative
Computrac® Division
800.290.1414 x1726 • 602.281.1726
sblaha@azic.com • www.azic.com
Friday, March 27, 2009
Solvent-free Moisture Determination of Oils and Lubricants
Controlling and monitoring the amount of water in oils and lubricants is a major concern for refineries and manufacturers to ensure a quality product is being delivered to consumers; and to commercial and personal consumers to maintain optimum output.
Using RH sensor technology Arizona Instrument LLC has developed the Computrac® Vapor Pro® Fx analyzer that is capable of determining the water content of oils and lubricants. It is sturdy enough to be in the production area, requires no reagents for measurement, and requires little technical skill to operate efficiently. After testing both refined and crude oils and lubricants the Vapor Pro® Fx was found to be capable of reliably and accurately measuring moisture levels as low as 10ppm and as high as 50% water by volume. It is currently being validated as a Karl Fisher alternative by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
-James Moore, Chemist
Using RH sensor technology Arizona Instrument LLC has developed the Computrac® Vapor Pro® Fx analyzer that is capable of determining the water content of oils and lubricants. It is sturdy enough to be in the production area, requires no reagents for measurement, and requires little technical skill to operate efficiently. After testing both refined and crude oils and lubricants the Vapor Pro® Fx was found to be capable of reliably and accurately measuring moisture levels as low as 10ppm and as high as 50% water by volume. It is currently being validated as a Karl Fisher alternative by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
-James Moore, Chemist
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Company Volleyball Tournament - March 2009
As some of you may already know, Arizona Instrument gets together once a month for a company activity. This month we chose to play volleyball. Each team had to dress alike with whatever theme they came up with.
The winner was Chemical Warfare!
Of course, your sales representatives participated and had a great time too! Some pictures are posted below from our event!
Scott Gifford, Plastics Representative
800.290.1414 x1642 • sgifford@azic.com
Kris Vancers, Pharmaceutical and Foods Representative
800.290.1414 x1655 • kvancers@azic.com
Stephanie Blaha, Chemicals, Foods, Pharmaceuticals, Pulp and Paper Representative
800.290.1414 • sblaha@azic.com
Doug Elliott, Chemicals and Forestry Representative
800.290.1414 x1725 • delliott@azic.com
Rick Ervin, Director of Sales
800.290.1414 • sales@azic.com
The winner was Chemical Warfare!
Of course, your sales representatives participated and had a great time too! Some pictures are posted below from our event!Scott Gifford, Plastics Representative
800.290.1414 x1642 • sgifford@azic.com
Kris Vancers, Pharmaceutical and Foods Representative
800.290.1414 x1655 • kvancers@azic.com
Stephanie Blaha, Chemicals, Foods, Pharmaceuticals, Pulp and Paper Representative800.290.1414 • sblaha@azic.com
Doug Elliott, Chemicals and Forestry Representative800.290.1414 x1725 • delliott@azic.com
Rick Ervin, Director of Sales
800.290.1414 • sales@azic.com
Interphex - New York - March 2009
It was wonderful meeting/seeing those of you that did end up attending the show this year! We enjoyed running tests for you at the show so you could see our instruments in action.
For those of you that did not attend, we ran capillary tests on our Karl Fischer Alternative instrument, the Vapor Pro®. Our capillaries come in various sizes, but the tests we ran were on 1000µg of water.
Our Vapor Pro® Moisture Specific Analyzer is a rugged, easy to use, GREEN alternative to Karl Fischer Titration. It has very low operating cost as the only disposable item on it is the septa at the top of the vial. What we did was filled the capillary which we knew was 1000µg of water (as long as we filled the capillary correctly...this can prove to be tricky and we have contests with each other on who can get closer to 1000), placed it in the vial, sealed the top, placed it on the instrument, pressed start and waited for the result. Within minutes we had our answer! Scott and I are very good at this game, and consistently came within 50µg of spec.
What happens, is the septa in the top of the vial gets pierced with a two way needle upon entry into the instrument. Dry air or nitrogen gas is pushed through one way while ambient air is pushed through the other. The vial is heated and moisture evaporates off over a relative humidity sensor. After a few minutes you have a moisture specific reading.
This instrument can read down to 10ppm of moisture up to 100%. We have 3 different Vapor Pro® Moisture Analyzers - one standard, one specifically for lyophilized materials in the pharmaceutical industry, and one for moisture in oils. We have been in business over 25 years, and are very familiar with most samples across all industries.
We also featured our Computrac® MAX® 4000XL at this show, which is our newly released LOD (Loss on Drying) Moisture/Solids Analyzer. It has 25% faster throughput through use of a cool down fan, and has a color LCD display, and internet capabilites.
-Shari Houtler, Marketing Manager
If you would like to learn more, please give us a call!
800.290.1414 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Our Vapor Pro® Moisture Specific Analyzer is a rugged, easy to use, GREEN alternative to Karl Fischer Titration. It has very low operating cost as the only disposable item on it is the septa at the top of the vial. What we did was filled the capillary which we knew was 1000µg of water (as long as we filled the capillary correctly...this can prove to be tricky and we have contests with each other on who can get closer to 1000), placed it in the vial, sealed the top, placed it on the instrument, pressed start and waited for the result. Within minutes we had our answer! Scott and I are very good at this game, and consistently came within 50µg of spec.
What happens, is the septa in the top of the vial gets pierced with a two way needle upon entry into the instrument. Dry air or nitrogen gas is pushed through one way while ambient air is pushed through the other. The vial is heated and moisture evaporates off over a relative humidity sensor. After a few minutes you have a moisture specific reading.
This instrument can read down to 10ppm of moisture up to 100%. We have 3 different Vapor Pro® Moisture Analyzers - one standard, one specifically for lyophilized materials in the pharmaceutical industry, and one for moisture in oils. We have been in business over 25 years, and are very familiar with most samples across all industries.
We also featured our Computrac® MAX® 4000XL at this show, which is our newly released LOD (Loss on Drying) Moisture/Solids Analyzer. It has 25% faster throughput through use of a cool down fan, and has a color LCD display, and internet capabilites.
-Shari Houtler, Marketing Manager
If you would like to learn more, please give us a call!
800.290.1414 • 602.470.1414
sales@azic.com • www.azic.com
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Puerto Rico Training
Mark your calendar for our MAX® 4000XL training in
Puerto Rico
May 14th, 2009
Please sign up via our website at the following link:
http://www.azic.com/puerto_rico_training.aspx
Please direct any questions to Fred Curren at:
800.290.1414 x1678 • 602.281.1678
fcurren@azic.com • www.azic.com
Puerto Rico
May 14th, 2009
Please sign up via our website at the following link:
http://www.azic.com/puerto_rico_training.aspx
Please direct any questions to Fred Curren at:
800.290.1414 x1678 • 602.281.1678
fcurren@azic.com • www.azic.com
Monday, March 23, 2009
Pittcon and Interphex
After attending these two tradeshows this month, Pittcon in Chicago and Interphex in New York, we noticed a continued strong interest in our Computrac® MAX® 4000XL Moisture/Solids Analyzer and our Karl Fischer Alternative Computrac® Vapor Pro® Series.
Our Computrac® MAX® 4000XL Moisture/Solids Analyzer is an improvement from our MAX® 2000XL with 25% faster throughput through use of a cool-down fan, internet capabilities, and a color screen, among other great features.
Our Computrac® Vapor Pro® is a green alternative to Karl Fischer titration. It has lower operating costs, the instrument is more user friendly and technology transfer packages are available to make the transition as easy as possible for you.
Call us today to find out more at:
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
www.azic.com • sales@azic.com
Our Computrac® MAX® 4000XL Moisture/Solids Analyzer is an improvement from our MAX® 2000XL with 25% faster throughput through use of a cool-down fan, internet capabilities, and a color screen, among other great features.
Our Computrac® Vapor Pro® is a green alternative to Karl Fischer titration. It has lower operating costs, the instrument is more user friendly and technology transfer packages are available to make the transition as easy as possible for you.
Call us today to find out more at:
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
www.azic.com • sales@azic.com
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Upcoming Tradeshows in March!
Arizona Instrument will be attending 2 tradeshows this March!
Be sure to stop by and see us if you plan on attending!
FREE PASSES ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR INTERPHEX!
Jeff Ho, Ben Brown and Shari Houtler will be at:
Pittcon
March 9-12, 2009: Chicago, IL
McCormick Place
Booth #4575
jho@azic.com • 800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Scott Percy and Shari Houtler will be at:
Interphex
March 17-29, 2009: New York, NY
Javits Center
Booth #3218
800.290.1414 • 602.470.1414
Be sure to stop by and see us if you plan on attending!
FREE PASSES ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR INTERPHEX!
Jeff Ho, Ben Brown and Shari Houtler will be at:
Pittcon
March 9-12, 2009: Chicago, IL
McCormick Place
Booth #4575
jho@azic.com • 800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Scott Percy and Shari Houtler will be at:
Interphex
March 17-29, 2009: New York, NY
Javits Center
Booth #3218
800.290.1414 • 602.470.1414
Friday, February 27, 2009
$25 Gift Card
We are trying to reach out to our customers and gather information on how you come in contact with us. We are looking for ways to improve our availability to you, and provide solutions in the smoothest possible way for you.
In return for providing answers to these few short questions and your contact information, we will enter you in a drawing for a $25 AMERICAN EXPRESS Gift Card.
Click here to fill out the survey. We will announce the winner on March 31st, 2009. Thank you!
In return for providing answers to these few short questions and your contact information, we will enter you in a drawing for a $25 AMERICAN EXPRESS Gift Card.
Click here to fill out the survey. We will announce the winner on March 31st, 2009. Thank you!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Customer Q & A
I noticed you mentioned something on your blog that said that if a customer has a consistant result and if they have an moisture result a little lower or a little higher it is okay. Is there a maximum number they should not go over or under?
There really isn't a specific number to go higher or lower than for this, but considering that most mills want to stay below 1% ash and the difference between Premium and Super Premium is only 0.5% I would not recommend making adjustments for anything more than 0.1 - 0.2%. This approach works if you have a directional bias in your process that is consistent. You would ultimately use a correction factor to adjust for the bias.
-Garrett Rowe, Lab Manager
Contact Stephanie Blaha with further questions:
800.528.7411 x1726 • 602.281.1726
sblaha@azic.com • www.azic.com
There really isn't a specific number to go higher or lower than for this, but considering that most mills want to stay below 1% ash and the difference between Premium and Super Premium is only 0.5% I would not recommend making adjustments for anything more than 0.1 - 0.2%. This approach works if you have a directional bias in your process that is consistent. You would ultimately use a correction factor to adjust for the bias.
-Garrett Rowe, Lab Manager
Contact Stephanie Blaha with further questions:
800.528.7411 x1726 • 602.281.1726
sblaha@azic.com • www.azic.com
Monday, February 23, 2009
Moisture Specific Karl Fischer Alternative
Plastics
Computrac® Vapor Pro®
Computrac® MAX® 4000XL
Contact Scott Gifford today to trial a Vapor Pro® or MAX® 4000XL. We offer free method development with the purchase of any instrument, and will personally assist you with your parameter sets, test results and anything else you need to keep manufacturing up and running.
800.528.7411 x1642 • 602.281.1642 • sgifford@azic.com
http://www.azic.com/inst_vaporpro.aspx
http://www.azic.com/inst_max4000.aspx
Computrac® Vapor Pro®
Computrac® MAX® 4000XL
Contact Scott Gifford today to trial a Vapor Pro® or MAX® 4000XL. We offer free method development with the purchase of any instrument, and will personally assist you with your parameter sets, test results and anything else you need to keep manufacturing up and running.800.528.7411 x1642 • 602.281.1642 • sgifford@azic.com
http://www.azic.com/inst_vaporpro.aspx
http://www.azic.com/inst_max4000.aspx
Moisture Specific Karl Fischer Alternative
Computrac® Vapor Pro® Rx
Moisture Analyzer
Moisture Analyzer
No toxic reagents or specialized glassware
Maintains sample integrity
Accepts multiple vial sizes
Designed to test lyophilized materials!
Call Rick Ervin for more information!
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414 • sales@azic.com
http://www.azic.com/inst_vaporprorx.aspx
Free trials
Free method development over the lifetime of the instrument
24 hour customer support
Accepts multiple vial sizes
Designed to test lyophilized materials!
Call Rick Ervin for more information!
800.528.7411 • 602.470.1414 • sales@azic.com
http://www.azic.com/inst_vaporprorx.aspx
Free trials
Free method development over the lifetime of the instrument
24 hour customer support
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Training Schedules are now online!
Find upcoming training on the customer service
page of our website:
http://www.azic.com/customer_service.aspx
page of our website:
http://www.azic.com/customer_service.aspx
Meet the Lab Team!
Pictured from left to right:Manuel Oropeza, Kathy Greilich, James Moore, Garrett Rowe
Don't take chances when it comes to lab safety!
From the first moment I stepped into my first chemistry laboratory setting as a sophomore in high school, lab safety dogma has been drilled into me daily. Safety glasses and a lab coat were mandatory apparel. Wear it or go home, there were no compromises.
Wearing a seatbelt can seem like an annoyance if you haven't been in an accident in fifteen years, just like wearing personal protective equipment can feel burdensome to the professional lab technician. An "I know what I'm doing" attitude can lull even the most intelligent chemist into complacence. One minor transgression without consequence gives way to more and more until all those safety rules that were once ingrained are nothing more than a soft whisper in the back of your mind. And just like that with not wearing a seatbelt, a split second is all it takes to be reminded of the error of your ways.
The result of that lapse could be as small as a minor burn, or as major as a loss of sight, or worse. Managers owe it to those in their employ to make safety a top priority, and technicians who are in the lab every day owe it to themselves and their loved ones to take the extra time and effort to ensure that when their workday has ended, they can hop in their vehicles and head home intact.
And since the hazards of the world don't end at 5PM, don't forget to wear that seatbelt.
-Garrett Rowe, Lab Manager
From the first moment I stepped into my first chemistry laboratory setting as a sophomore in high school, lab safety dogma has been drilled into me daily. Safety glasses and a lab coat were mandatory apparel. Wear it or go home, there were no compromises.
Wearing a seatbelt can seem like an annoyance if you haven't been in an accident in fifteen years, just like wearing personal protective equipment can feel burdensome to the professional lab technician. An "I know what I'm doing" attitude can lull even the most intelligent chemist into complacence. One minor transgression without consequence gives way to more and more until all those safety rules that were once ingrained are nothing more than a soft whisper in the back of your mind. And just like that with not wearing a seatbelt, a split second is all it takes to be reminded of the error of your ways.
The result of that lapse could be as small as a minor burn, or as major as a loss of sight, or worse. Managers owe it to those in their employ to make safety a top priority, and technicians who are in the lab every day owe it to themselves and their loved ones to take the extra time and effort to ensure that when their workday has ended, they can hop in their vehicles and head home intact.
And since the hazards of the world don't end at 5PM, don't forget to wear that seatbelt.
-Garrett Rowe, Lab Manager
Computrac® Vapor Pro® Rx
The Computrac® Vapor Pro® Rx moisture analyzer accurately measures moisture levels in lyophilized materials without contamination from atmospheric humidity. The Rx maintains sealed vial integrity and features a sealed flow-path that purges the system with dry nitrogen between tests.
In addition, the moisture-specific sensor detects moisture levels as low as 100 ppm, displaying results in just a few minutes. Simple and easy to operate, with no toxic reagents or specialized glassware, the Rx is suitable for both production and laboratory environments.
In addition, the moisture-specific sensor detects moisture levels as low as 100 ppm, displaying results in just a few minutes. Simple and easy to operate, with no toxic reagents or specialized glassware, the Rx is suitable for both production and laboratory environments.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What is the difference between: as received, moisture free and moisture & ash?
The Computrac® MAX® 5000 can analyze ash content on an "as received" or a dry basis, depending on the customer's need. Analysis on a dry basis says more about the intrinsic properties of the wood pellet. Analysis on an "as received basis" speaks more to the current state of the wood pellet.
For example, say you have three piles of identical pellets. You allow one to sit out in the rain, allow one to sit out in the hot Arizona sun, and keep the third in a climate controlled storage space. The "as received" ash values will be different for all three, since the moisture in the pellets figuresinto that result. However the dry basis ash content should still be the same for all three samples since but for the differences in moisture, we still have identical pellets.
Questions?
Contact Stephanie Blaha at 800.290.1414 x1726, 602.281.1726 or sblaha@azic.com
For example, say you have three piles of identical pellets. You allow one to sit out in the rain, allow one to sit out in the hot Arizona sun, and keep the third in a climate controlled storage space. The "as received" ash values will be different for all three, since the moisture in the pellets figuresinto that result. However the dry basis ash content should still be the same for all three samples since but for the differences in moisture, we still have identical pellets.
Questions?
Contact Stephanie Blaha at 800.290.1414 x1726, 602.281.1726 or sblaha@azic.com
Monday, February 2, 2009
Moisture Analyzers from Arizona Instrument
Upcoming Tradeshows:
Plastec/Powder Bulk West, BOOTH #4021
February 10-12, 2009
http://www.devicelink.com/expo/west09/
Coating West, BOOTH #304
March 2-3, 2009
http://www.thecoatingshow.com/
Pittcon, BOOTH #4575
March 9-12, 2009
http://www.pittcon.org/
Plastec/Powder Bulk West, BOOTH #4021
February 10-12, 2009
http://www.devicelink.com/expo/west09/
Coating West, BOOTH #304
March 2-3, 2009
http://www.thecoatingshow.com/
Pittcon, BOOTH #4575
March 9-12, 2009
http://www.pittcon.org/
Computrac® Moisture Analyzers from Arizona Instrument are classic examples of value products. With their rugged package, really easy operation, reliable data, and real people supporting you, the Computrac® Moisture Analyzer you choose will bring value to your product and your process.
Whether it’s the MAX® family of rapid loss on heating analyzers or the Vapor Pro® Moisture specific, Karl Fischer replacement technology, the Computrac® family of analyzers provide analytical quality data in a rugged process worthy package. It is common for Computrac® analyzers to be in service for 10, 15 and even 20 years.
Really easy use through instrument directed instructional prompts allows the Computrac® analyzers to be positioned on the busy process floor with the assurance of consistent, reproducible operation.
The data from the Computrac® analyzers not only matches classic reference values but also provide the highest level of repeatability and precision available. This means that you can rely on the data for making critical process monitoring decisions, over and over and over again.
The ultimate value in the Computrac® analyzers is the ‘real people’ behind the product. From the assembly floor’s initial quality through sales and the application lab’s fulfillment of your analytical and performance needs to customer support and instrument service dedication to your successful operation, every Computrac® analyzer is a source of value in a world of mediocrity.
If you require an analyzer this year for moisture, solids, LOI or ash determination or if you want to avoid the wet chemical reagents of Karl Fischer determination, put one of the high value Computrac® analyzers on the top of your list. If you value your money and want to both save it and grow it, a Computrac® analyzer from Arizona Instrument is the best tool to accomplish the job.
See more of our instruments at: http://www.azic.com/instruments.aspx
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