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Tech Tip #3. Accurately Pipetting Viscous Samples

Tech Tip #3. Accurately Pipetting Viscous Samples

Viscous solutions can be difficult to pipette accurately, which can lead to incorrect analysis results. Accurate volume measurement is key to getting the correct results while using an OndaVia analysis cartridge. We describe here a method for the most accurate pipetting technique when working with viscous samples. We recommend reverse pipetting as a standard protocol for measuring triazine solutions (MEA- or MMA-triazine) at the percent concentration range.

Tech Tip #2. Hardware calibration

Tech Tip #2. Hardware calibration

This week's Tech Tip provides a video demonstration of how to calibrate the system.

Raman spectroscopy for MEA-triazine QA/QC testing

Raman spectroscopy for MEA-triazine QA/QC testing

Although the reaction behind MEA-triazine production is simple, we have seen many examples of poorly-prepared solutions. Measurements like a total amine value, water content or density cannot determine the triazine content. But with Raman spectroscopy, it is possible to measure the triazine content directly.

Tech Tip #1. Focusing the OndaVia Analysis Instrument

Tech Tip #1. Focusing the OndaVia Analysis Instrument

This week's Tech Tip is focused on -- focusing! The process of focusing the OndaVia Analysis Instrument is simple, once one understands the reasons and method.

Chemical Identification with Raman Spectroscopy: Part 2

Chemical Identification with Raman Spectroscopy: Part 2

One of the measurements about which I am frequently asked is the analysis of triazine-based hydrogen sulfide scavengers. Why? Triazine compounds are widely used, yet they are not easy to measure, either during production or during their application in the field. Hydrogen sulfide is a corrosive, hazardous gas. It can build-up in the headspace of a tank, creating a very hazardous situation for workers. It can affect “asset integrity”—in other words, cause corrosion and equipment failures. In the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria, naturally occurring sulfate is reduced to H2S. And the world’s supplies of oil are on a continuous trend towards higher sulfur content. 

Chemical Identification with Raman Spectroscopy: Part 1

Chemical Identification with Raman Spectroscopy: Part 1

Raman spectroscopy is an excellent tool for chemical identification, even in mixtures. Not only does Raman provide a method to identify pure compounds, but it can also identify contaminants in your chemical streams. I demonstrate in this post how to identify five compounds in a single spectrum: all three xylene isomers with 25% ethylbenzene and 1% toluene.

Primer on Raman Spectroscopy

Primer on Raman Spectroscopy

Our specialty at OndaVia is the application of portable Raman spectroscopy to quantitative chemical analysis. Although first discovered nearly one-hundred years ago, Raman has primarily been a specialty laboratory technique. Over the past decade or so, technological improvements have allowed Raman to move from a laboratory-only technique to portable, in-field analysis tools for a variety of fields. Raman spectrometers are used by law-enforcement for illicit drug identification, first-response teams to identify hazardous materials, and recyclers to determine the composition of plastics. In this blog post, I lay out the background for how Raman spectroscopy works.