Sample delivery manufacturers

Because of the uncertainty of sample delivery times, rapid/fast IPC chromatographic methods are needed to maintain an efficient analytical laboratory and plant operation.Since many samples can be generated during the process development, IPC methods should be developed and optimized for the shortest analysis time possible. The need for a fast IPC method was demonstrated by Wu et al. who redeveloped an in-process method to shorten the run time for a reaction conversion HPLC analysis from 30 to 10 min using a monolithic HPLC column.The newly developed method could also be used to determine mother liquor concentrations and perform impurity profiles for the crude product. This optimized method reduced the process cycle time for lab instrumentation. The dual purpose for an IPC method (i.e., COR, impurity profiling, and/or concentration analysis) is another opportunity to improve the process and lab efficiency. Another example of a dual-purpose method use was demonstrated by Nageswara Rao et al. who developed a 15-min RP-HPLC method that could determine the COR and impurity profile (isolated product) for two different processes for production of 4-methoxyphenyl acetic acid." The dual-purpose method is a common theme for in-process analyses. It is also important to remember that a reduction in the analysis time and overall manufacturing time can reduce the cost of the API. 

With the increasing demand to analyze more and more samples, manufacturers of autosamplers and sample introduction accessories are designing automated sampling systems to maximize sample throughput. This is being achieved in a variety of different ways by optimizing the sample delivery process to reduce the pre- and postmeasurement time. Some typical optimization procedures include the following ... 

There are two ways of checking materials for a protective coating contract. Firstly, by sampling at the point of manufacture and/or after delivery at the coating works, and secondly by taking samples of the materials in use. 

Poor Record Keeping. Unfortunately, many small industrial laboratories have inadequate records. This can have unpleasant consequences. In one case, the manufacturer of an alcohol solution was challenged by a customer about meeting specifications set forth in the contract. For his defense, he had not retained samples that could be traced to the disputed deliveries, and his only written information consisted of scribbled notes on loose sheets of paper from his desk drawer. He lost the contract. An independent investigation indicated that he had probably done his job right, but he had no way to prove it. 

F. Goodrich have burned a 10% tire chip mixture with coal (11—13). Tire grinding size reduction problems and delivery costs have stymied projects based on combined tire and coal fuel. Transportation of tire scrap can cost 0.05/kg, exdusive of grinding costs, thus tire-fired boilers are limited to areas with sample scrap tire supplies, eg, large cities or tire manufacturers. The cost of burning one metric ton of tires per hour in an incinerator was ca 0.20—0.40 per tire in 1974, which increased to 0.35—0.70 per tire in 1987 (14). 

Because of the interest in narrow-bore and microbore columns, instrument manufacturers now have developed solvent delivery systems that are capable of accurately pumping at the low flow rates typically required for microbore applications (>10 / L/min). In addition, injectors have been designed that are capable of introducing the smaller sample volumes, and detector cells are available that are small enough to monitor the reduced sample volumes passing through the detector. Thus narrow-bore and microbore applications are possible with readily available instrumentation, and reports may be found in the literature. 

Quality control — Also known as QC, these activities verify product quality before delivery to customers. Compound management for HTS, in a sense, manufactures sample plates for screening and it is necessary to establish rigorous QC to ensure the quality of deliverables before they are delivered. A few examples would be checking for missing wells in assay plates (as shown in Figure 12.8), inspection of plate orientations, and examinations of barcode clarity among other reviews. 

Volumetric flasks (Figure 2-20) are manufactured with capacities ranging from 5 mL to 5 L and are usually calibrated to contain a specified volume when filled to a line etched on the neck. They are used for the preparation of standard solutions and for the dilution of samples to a fixed volume prior to taking aliquots with a pipet. Some are also calibrated on a to-deliver basis these are readily distinguished by two reference lines on the neck. If delivery of the stated volume is desired, the flask is filled to the upper line. 

The devices used for calibration of radiation sources and test chambers are discussed in Chapter 5 and Chapter 6. Neither the UV filter radiometer nor the luxmeter provides information on the spectral power distribution (SPD, the plot of radiation intensity vs. wavelength) of sources. Upon delivery, the device should have been calibrated by the manufacturer against a standard lamp and provided with a response curve. If the meters are used as received, they are well suited for measuring evenness of irradiance across the sample area and changes in total output with time. 

Besides the manually operated syringes, there are electronically controlled and variable-volume motor-driven syringes available for automated repetitive deliveries. Also, you may purchase pipets with multiple syringes for simultaneous delivery, with for example, 12 or 16 channels. These are useful for delivering solutions into microwell plates used in biotechnology or chnical chemistry laboratories that process thousands of samples (Figure 2.12). You may find more information on displacement pipets from representative manufacturers, for example, www. finnpipette.com and www.eppendorf.com. 

---