Mixing laboratory instrumentation

The excess heats of mixing experiments were performed using a modified McGlashan calorimeter. All the dynamic mechanical analyses were conducted using a Polymer Laboratories instrument at a frequency of 10 Hz and a heating rate of 2 C per minute. 

In addition to the specialist mixing equipment described later in this section, the following common instruments are extremely useful for a variety of tasks in the mixing laboratory ... 

The first attempt in our laboratory to apply flow techniques to high temperature operation was the construction by Dr. E.E. Messikomer of a flow, heat-of-mixing calorimeter(lO). Unfortunately, because the thermopiles used in this instrument did not work above 100°C the instrument was limited to this temperature. However, the results were encouraging because they showed that very rapid and accurate thermodynamic data could be obtained and that the operation of the calorimeter was as easy at 100°C as it was at room temperature. 

Iridium s most common use is as an alloy metal that, when added to platinum, makes it harder and more durable. It is also mixed with other metals to make electrical contacts, thermocouples (two dissimilar metals joined to form a special type of thermometer), and instruments that will withstand high temperatures without breaking down. It is also used to make special laboratory vessels because iridium will not react with most chemical substances. An alloy of iridium and platinum is used as the standard kilogram weight because it is noncorrosive and will not oxidize and, thus, change its weight over long periods of time. 

The state-of-the-art laboratories are equipped with the latest models of analytical instruments and computer systems, while others may have older, less sophisticated equipment or a mix of modern and outdated instruments. The goal of production laboratories is to analyze samples in the fastest possible manner. To be competitive, laboratories must have fully automated analytical systems allowing unattended sequential analysis of samples and computerized output of analytical results. Data acquisition computers, programmed with specialty software, control analytical instruments, collect the raw data, and convert them into analytical results. These computers are typically interfaced with the LIMS, which networks different laboratory sections into a single computer system and transforms analytical results into laboratory reports. 

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