Laboratory Supplies & Lab Equipment - Centrifuges, Lab Apparatus, Lab Glass, ph Meters, Labware, Medical Supplies & More

Back in February, I did a blog on your standard laboratory bunsen burner, but recently discovered an innovative alternative.   Argos Technologies offers a safe alternative to the standard laboratory Bunsen burner.  The XT Model works either manually, with a foot switch or in sensor mode.  It is supplied with an NimH  2 year battery pack and gas tubing adapter. 

Both of the models can be used with standard house gas (propane & butane).

In the case of the XT Model (pictured on the left) the ability to be used with an intergrated gas cartridge,  which allows for portability. (Gas Cartridge Adapter and canisters sold separately). 

Steel construction and portability make it ideal for working with Laminar Flow Hoods.   The StarFire ST (pictured on the right) operates by manual or foot-switch mode only and is connected to your household gas source.

As an added safety feature both models include an
overheating protection system that automatically
shuts off the gas should the unit overheat. Gas
supply is also cut off if the flame is extinguished
for any reason.  Another nice feature is that the burner head can be removed for easy cleaning.

Available accessories include:

• Foot-switch with connecting cable
• Windshield for use in laminar flow hoods
• Glass splash protecting dome
• Gas cartridge adapter for connecting butane cartridges
• Butane gas cartridges (Available individually or 6 Pack)

StephenG

Biochemical Oxygen Demand is used to measure the amount of organic material and nutrients available to microorganisms in water and waste water.  The standard test is the BOD₅ which measure the amount of dissolved oxygen used in 5 days at 20°C.  The amount of Oxygen used by the natural organisms in water is directly proportional to the amount of organic matter and nutrients available.  If there are too many of these nutrients available the microorganisms can use all the Oxygen available faster the body of water can take up atmospheric oxygen; fish and other aquatic life can be killed by this lack of Oxygen.  It is important waste water entering lakes streams and rivers do not contain too many of the organic material and nutrients.  The BOD₅ test involves determining the dissolved O₂ in a water sample and then enclosing the sample in an airtight container.  The container is kept at 20°C and in the dark for 5 days and the amount of dissolved O₂ is determined again.  The amount of O₂ used is directly proportional to the amount of organic matter available to the natural microorganisms.   The bottles used in BOD₅ determination are specially designed to be air tight and to overflow when the cap is applied assuring that no trapped air remains in the bottle.  To keep variables constant the sample is seeded with suitable microorganisms suspended in a buffer which has been saturated with O₂.  The dissolved O₂ is determined using a DO probe and meter.  Various types of DO electrodes or probes are available for the determination of dissolved Oxygen but probes designed for the BOD₅ test are tapered to fit the BOD bottle and may include a stirrer to assure proper sampling of the water in the BOD bottle.  BOD probes can be electrochemical in nature using redox potential and an Oxygen permeable membrane.  Another type of BOD probe is based on quenching by Oxygen of the luminescence emission of a photo active chemical compound.

Robin

Biosystems ToxiPro™ and ToxiLtd™ Single-Sensor Gas Detectors.  These detectors are Full Feature Gas Monitors.  For ease of maintenance, both detectors can be used with a Docking Station, an automatic bump test and calibration station with built-in record-keeping. All units are available with a single bright LED or optional internal vibrating alarm that works in tandem with the audible and visual alarms.  Fully Serviceable and reliable ToxiPro™ gas detectors feature a black box recorder and real-time, peak, STEL, and TWA readings.

The detectors are gas specific.  They include: 

• Gas Detectors with Carbon Monoxide Sensor
• Gas Detectors with Carbon Monoxide/Hydrogen Sulfide Sensor
• Gas Detectors with Hydrogen Sulfide Sensor
• Gas Detectors with Sulfur Dioxide Sensor
• Gas Detectors with Ammonia Sensor
• Gas Detectors with Chlorine Sensor
• Gas Detectors with Hydrogen Cyanide Sensor
• Gas Detectors with Nitrogen Dioxide Sensor
• Gas Detectors with Oxygen Sensor
• Gas Detectors with Phosphine Sensor

Detectors are supplied with heavy-duty alligator clips, calibration adapter, hose, operator’s guide, and quick reference card. The ToxiPro™ detectors come with a replaceable lithium battery with 9000 hours of operation. The ToxiLtd™ detectors come with an internal lithium battery with two years of operation.

LabPlanet’s knowledgeable Associates are available to assist you with identifying the best detector for your needs.

StephenG

In the environment dissolved Oxygen is one measure of the health of a body of water.  O₂ sensors and meters are used to determine the oxygen saturation in water.  Oxygen saturation is important for the health of fish and other aquatic wildlife and low Oxygen levels, hypoxia, inhibit the growth of aquatic life and can cause fish kills.  Oxygen is depleted in a body of water when an excess of plant nutrients enters the aquatic environment; the resulting phytoplankton bloom may temporarily raise the Oxygen level due to photosynthesis but the O₂ level is soon depleted at night due to respiration.  When the excess phytoplankton die they are consumed by bacteria, a process which further depletes dissolved Oxygen.  Oxygen depletion can also occur in an estuary where fresh water enters the ocean.  The stratification caused by the less dense fresh water staying on top of the more dense salt water prevents the normal mixing of the ocean resulting in low O₂ levels in the lowest levels of highest salinity.

DO probes have become one of the basic tools in monitoring aquatic environments.   Oxygen probes can be used with portable meters as a spot check in lakes streams and oceans, or in the laboratory for research purposes.  DO probes are also used as a constant monitor in aquaculture.  Manufacturers of DO probes and meters include but are not limited to Mettler Toledo, Thermo Scientific, Beckman Coulter, YSI, and Hach.

Robin

The reductase test is a test used to determine the quality of milk.  This test measures the oxidation reduction potential due to the exhaustion of dissolved oxygen by microorganisms.  Methylene blue loses its color as it becomes reduced.  In the reductase test 1mL of methylene blue is placed in 10mL of milk.  The tube is sealed with a rubber stopper and slowly inverted three times to mix.  It is placed in a water bath at 35 C. and examined at intervals up to 6 hours.  The time is takes for methylene blue to become colorless is the methylene blue reduction time for (MBRT).  The shorter the MBRT, the lower the quality of milk.  An MBRT of 6 hours is very good however an MBRT of 30 minutes indicates a very poor milk quality.  The test is based on the assumption that all bacteria in milk lower the oxidation reduction potential at 35 C.  Nonpathogenic bacteria  which do not grow at this temperature would not produce a positive result.  Streptococcus lacis and Escherichia coli are strong reducers and are present in raw milk.