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Automatic Viscosity Measuring Systems — AVS — Automates Capillary Viscosity Measurements. System AVS/PA with 10 sample capacity employs one capillary viscometer and performs selected test programs of testing single or repeat measurements, discharge, rinsing and sample change automatically. AVS/G base unit in conjunction with AVS/PA provides a seven digit tape print out with a 0.01 sec resolution. Efflux time is measured opto-electronically resulting in accuracy of measurement of 0 . 1 % . Covers measuring range of 0.3 to 30.000 cSt at temperatures up to +150°C. AVS systems for single and serial measurement also available. Send for descriptive color brochure now.
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CHROMATOGRAPHY
How to get the most from your Chromatograph... ... Our New 276 page book guides you through GC, TLC and HPLC Chromatography. Covers principles, methods and applications—plus instrumentation, reagents and accessories. Contains wealth of tables, graphs, illustrations and references.
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ture to suggest which products are present. The analyst is faced with a true "unknown". In other instances, such as in plant operating problems, the "problem" can be equally ill-defined. It is not uncommon for a murky, heterogeneous liquid to appear on the analyst's desk labeled in an obscure way, such as "sample taken from surge tank on Isocracker I I " or "contamination from unknown source". Contrast this with most samples taken under controlled conditions in an academic laboratory! In both the laboratory example or the operations case, the analyst must gather together whatever information he can on the chemistry surrounding the problem. He must then develop a complete analytical plan to narrow in on the answer. As mentioned, many industrial samples are truly "unknowns", and sampling in itself presents new uncertainties. Obtaining a representative sample can be almost as hard as the analysis itself. Sample taking and sample preparation should be a vital part of teaching analytical chemistry. Statistics can be a powerful tool of the analyst, and every student should at least know the difference between accuracy and precision and how to distinguish between an analysis and a determination. I have mentioned communications in an earlier section. It is so important that I must mention it again. T h e skilled analyst must be able to communicate clearly and completely with the person or group posing the analytical problem. During the conduct of the work, he must communicate with other groups involved in obtaining the answer. Clear, precise reporting of results is merely another form of communication. In most industrial laboratories, the analytical chemist acts in a support capacity to research or operating groups. It is important for the analyst to be an active participant in the projects he supports rather than to be a remote source of analytical results. The analytical chemist can make major contributions to research or operations by interacting with his expertise in the planning stage of any program. In this way the maximum amount of information can be obtained. The role of the industrial analyst is one of the active catalyst—if he carries out his communications and interactions well. At a recent conference of B P analysts from around the world, the mission of the industrial analyst and his special problems were well summarized by Gordon H. Evans, Chief Executive Office of Group Research and Development for BP, Ltd.: "Industry needs problem solvers, not analysts. . . . Your work must be cost-effective,
