NewsPetrochemicals

Weighing and Analysis in the Laboratory

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Going Green Sustainable Fuels Weigh-In

The rising price of gas has significantly raised the need to develop sus-

tainable energy sources. A leading renewable energy producer in the

United States has taken this path and developed a corn-based ethanol

for integration with fuel. The HG63P Moisture Analyzers and on-site

service ensure the quality and efficiency of production.

Green PowerThe renewable energy producing com-pany is able to generate 36 billion gal-lons of ethanol a year from the approxi-mately 280 bushels of corn per acre that corn farmers yield. This effort expands supplies and reduces the need to import expensive and controversial petroleum-based products and crude oil, therefore, lowering the price of gasoline. A prime example of this is E-85 fuel (85% etha-nol and 15% gasoline), which provides not only a more sustainable fuel source, but also a more environmentally-friendly alternative. Production of ethanol from corn for renewable fuel is a truly value-added process.

Backed Up by Strong SolutionsThis company wants to determine mois-ture content of the ethanol they produce and needs a fresh solution. It is imperative that they can collect data with speed and accuracy to ensure an efficient produc-tion line, as well as provide an excellent product to their end consumers. After an on-site demonstration from METTLER TOLEDO’s sales specialist, the customer purchased an HG63P Moisture Analyzer due to its unparalleled user-friendliness and readily available local sales and ser-vice support.

The HG63P also offers immediate and effortless testing of moisture directly at the production site. It displays a moisture content readability of 0.01% with 0.01% accuracy repeatability and is capable

2 METTLER TOLEDO PetrochemicalsNews 8

Publisher Mettler-Toledo AGLaboratory Division Im Langacher CH-8606 Greifensee, Switzerland

Production Segment Marketing LABSwitzerland

11794498 40.12

Subject to technical changes. © Mettler-Toledo AG 02/09Printed in Switzerland.

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of analyzing samples as small as 0.1 g. Not only are the results fast and easy, but exceptionally accurate. Knowing the moisture of each batch establishes con-sistency within the product - if a blend has too much or too little moisture, the end product will not perform to its utmost potential.

In order to preserve the value of customer investments, METTLER TOLEDO offered the customer ServiceXXL. This unique combination of offerings includes main-tenance and support, calibration and verification, qualification, and valida-tion. These solutions optimize equipment uptime, guarantee regulatory compliance and ensure efficient data management, increasing customer return on invest-ment.

Due to the superiority of METTLER TOLEDO’s breadth of products and ser-vices, the renewable energy producing company purchased multiple HG63P Moisture Analyzers and service package to accompany each of the products.

} www.mt.com/moisture

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METTLER TOLEDO PetrochemicalsNews 8

Error-Free Weighing ofMagnetizable Materials

Modern technology makes it possible for lubricant manufacturers to

develop products for a wide range of uses. When developing new prod-

ucts or improving current products, it is important to be aware of all

technical influences which may affect the weighing processes – such

as magnetism.

Avoiding Magnetism during WeighingIt is important for balance users who uti-lize electro-magnetic force compensation to be aware of the possible effects of mag-netism. The measuring device employed in the balance normally contains a strong permanent magnet even though the mag-netic systems are usually well shielded. Errors may occur when weighing addi-tives, lubricants or solvents, particularly when a magnetic stirrer bar is used in a beaker or in a glass Erlenmeyer flask. This error can be as much as 20 or 30 times the balance resolution.

For example, when weighing 50 grams of an additive to a recipe, 0.5% measurement accuracy (absolute: ±0.25 g) is required. With a medium magnetic stirrer bar (or ‘magnetic fly’) and a balance with reso-lution of 0.01 g, the measurement result can be influenced by up to ±0.3 g. As a

consequence, the required accuracy is exceeded and the proportions in the ad-ditive mixture may be incorrect. A simple solution to this problem is to shield the magnetic field.

Professional SolutionsMETTLER TOLEDO has two balance fam-ilies especially designed to eliminate the adverse influences of magnetic interfer-ence. The Excellence Plus XP and Excel-lence XS are built with the most innova-tive weighing technology on the market.

When a customer’s application involves strong magnetic fields, such as using a magnetic stirring device, an optional Magnetic Protection System (MPS) is available. This is a specialized weighing pan which eliminates the effect of the magnetic interference on the weighing result.

As part of our programs for managing weighing systems, we also recommend the METTLER TOLEDO Good Weighing

Practice™ (GWP®) to provide a complete analysis of balance and weighing loca-tion in order to improve accuracy and ef-ficiency in the lab at optimal cost.

The weighing bridge of an Excellence Plus XP precision balance with a MPS weighing pan. (Beaker contains magnetic bar.)

An identification on the MPS weighing pan marks the optimum position of the weighed substance.

} www.mt.com/excellence-precision} www.mt.com/gwp

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METTLER TOLEDO PetrochemicalsNews 8

Word of Mouth Passing on METTLER TOLEDO Value

With global trends leaning towards sustainability, there has been a boom

in the production of ethanol as a renewable fuel. AltraBiofuels, a well-

known producer of ethanol, has recently opened several ethanol plants

across the United States. METTLER TOLEDO’s comprehensive solutions

are their choice of choices when setting up their new testing lab.

Reputation CountsCoshocton Ethanol LLC, one of the etha-nol plants of AltraBiofuels, required all the equipment necessary to stock an eth-anol testing laboratory. Having recently purchased DL32X Coulometers for their new facility, Coshocton’s sister company in California, Phoenix Bio Indistries LLC, recommended METTLER TOLEDO.

Coshocton’s Lab Manager, Angela Larrick, contacted METTLER TOLEDO for advice. Satisfied with the services provided in California, AltraBiofuels encouraged An-gela to request quotes for the Coshocton facility. In addition to replicating the or-der for two DL32X coulometers, Matt Eby, laboratory sales specialist, was able to demonstrate the value of adding a DE45 Density Meter with PSU-DE pump, two S47

DL�2 Coulometer

plus the dextrose equivalent of their corn mash. The accompanying LabX software allows them to increase productivity and ensure compliance with regulatory needs. It also provides accurate and easy-to-use data management and result analysis, which generate tailored results relevant to their interests.

Coshocton Ethanol Plant

pH/Conductivity Meters, three balances, and a T70 Titrator with LabX for two titra-tors to the order. Their order also included A2LA certification on all the instruments, meters and balances purchased.

Comprehensive SolutionsThe DL32X was chosen for its ideal water content analysis, in the range of 1 ppm to 5%, and for its routine determinations simplicity. The DE45 performs density analysis, specific gravity, API (petroleum), BRIX (sugar), alcohol and concentration of aqueous solutions. When used in com-bination with a PSU-DE pump, Coshocton Ethanol receive improved accuracy and reproducibility of digital data, simplified analysis through automated sampling and increased throughput. S47 pH/Con-ductivity Meters were chosen as they offer professional pH and conductivity mea-sures with automatic efficiency and un-paralleled user friendliness.

Coshocton also chose METTLER TOLEDO’s T70 to primarily titrate for the acidity of their final ethanol and found it could also be used for determining the alkalinity of their well, boiler and cooling tower water, the sulfite content of their boiler water

T70 Excellence Titrator

�METTLER TOLEDO PetrochemicalsNews 8

In this instance, the positive word-of-mouth generated by a customer produced new opportunities. When asked why they chose to purchase the rest of their testing equipment from METTLER TOLEDO, An-gela Larrick said that she, “saw a benefit in utilizing METTLER TOLEDO’s knowl-edge of AltraBiofuel’s processes and the industry.”

Coshocton Ethanol is extremely pleased with the instrumentation and support that METTLER TOLEDO has provided for them during the set up and training process associated with launching a new lab. AltraBiofuel was so enthused with the products and service that their latest facility in Indiana purchased the exact

Left to right: Matt Eby (METTLER TOLEDO Instrument Sales Specialist), Angela Larrick (Lab Manager Coshocton Ethanol), Danielle Brown (Process Technician Coshocton Ethanol) and Keith Matz (Process Technician Coshocton Ethanol).

same package. An additional AltraBioFu-els facility is under construction in Car-leton, Nebraska.

These lucrative sales all stemmed from one customer’s positive experience and satisfaction with METTLER TOLEDO’s product and service offerings. When ex-ceptional quality and outstanding service is maintained, products will sell them-selves.

} www.mt.com/one-click-titration} www.mt.com/density} www.mt.com/pHLab

Testing lab of Coshocton Ethanol.

T70 Excellence Titrator

Control of measuring devicesISO 9001 demands… GWP® delivers…

...calibration or verification of measuring devices at specific intervals.

…calibration frequencies based on a risk assessment of the weigh-ing process.

…standards traceable to international or national measurement standards.

...traceable calibration certificates.

…that the equipment owner shall monitor the validity of the equipment to conform to quality requirements.

...SOPs that allow operation and testing of the equipment in order to fulfill the ISO 9001 guidelines.

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METTLER TOLEDO PetrochemicalsNews 8

Secure and Environment Friendly ProductsSafeguarded by Good Weighing Practice™ (GWP®)

Consumers all over the world are becoming more aware of environ-

mental issues. Their concern about the safety of petrochemical prod-

ucts raises the demand for higher security and more stringent control

standards. As a result, petrochemical companies with well-established

quality management benefit from such market changes.

The Market Calls for Higher Quality StandardsConsumers are highly sensitive to news of product quality problems, which could harm the environment. They react strongly to scandals by putting their trust in companies with solid and long last-ing reputations for high quality standards only. Quality management has become one of the critical success factors in the petrochemical industry.

Risk Analysis by GWP® Helps to Strengthen the Market PositionThe basis of a successful, efficient and secure quality management is to identify risks, and to control them throughout the entire process. Good Weighing Practice™

Furthermore, GWP® has already secured a worldwide acceptance and is approved by many auditors as the quality standard in the petrochemical market.

Be secure and request a GWP® consulta-tion.

} www.mt.com/GWP

(GWP®) analyses risks caused by inac-curate weighing results (i.e. human er-rors, the wrong choice of instrument or environmental factors) and recommends measures for risk minimization where they are unacceptably high. This analysis is in line with the requirements of cur-rent petrochemical standards such as ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 / ASTM / IP / UOP.

Consequently, GWP® enhances the ac-curacy of weighing results, the efficiency of the routine test processes and reduces operating costs. Companies who employ GWP® minimize incalculable risks. All processes are sufficiently documented and prove the company’s awareness and responsibility towards customer needs.

Petrochemicals quality insightThe Green Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2007 is an initiative to design chemi-cal products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or gen-eration of hazardous substances through safe and efficient manu-facturing processes.

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7METTLER TOLEDO PetrochemicalsNews 8

Benefits for companies using Good Weighing Practice™ (GWP®)■ Use the correct balance with the required accuracy

and minimum weight■ Error-free installation, performance qualification

and operator training■ Specific recommendation for calibration, routine testing

and weights ■ Correct measurements during the entire life cycle

of the balance■ Standard Operation Procedures (SOP)

Mettler-Toledo AGLaboratory DivisionIm LangacherCH-8606 Greifensee, Switzerland

Your METTLER TOLEDO contact:

www.mt.comFor more information

Weighing Solutions and Analytical Instruments

New Products and Technologies From METTLER TOLEDOMETTLER TOLEDO delivers powerful solutions that simplify work in labo-

ratories around the world. Combining our state-of-the-art technologies

with our applicative competence, we have a strong value proposition to

make: accurate results and productivity second to none.

Sample HandlerTitrate High Oil Sample Numbers ReliablyThe Sample Handler and T70 or T90 Excellence titrator perfectly match to automatically titrate up to 80 x 80 ml or 42 x 100 ml oil samples. Intel-ligent automation sequences minimize sample carryover due to sticky oil samples by effective rinsing procedures. Secure, unattended operation is ensured. The Sample Handler PC software con-trols both instruments and offers an easy-to-use interface that simplifies daily routine work.

} www.mt.com/titration_automation

Simply PowerfuliC Software Speeds Up Chemical R&DThe iC Suite is an integrated set of software products for METTLER TOLEDO in-situ analytical instruments and automated lab reactors. The new iC 4.0 Suite supports spectroscopy, particle system characterization, precise reactor control and calorimetry. With an intuitive user interface, seamless data exchange, and advanced analysis & visualization tools that convert data into infor-mation – iC enables scientists to design better processes faster.

} www.mt.com/ic

Meeting Emissions StandardsWith Minimal CostsDetermining the weight of particulate matter is a key task in the petrochemical and automotive industries. F-A747 Filter Robot allows fast and easy measurement of particulate matter at any time. Up to 60 samples can be read in via bar-codes. All steps from the start right up to residual weighing are performed automatically, quickly and without the slow process of transferring samples.

} www.mt.com/filter

New Range of Laboratory Conductivity Sensors Easier Handling and More PrecisionThe entire range of laboratory conductivity sen-sors is replaced by the second generation of InLab® conductivity sensors. The robust sensors have a newly developed open tip design. There-fore, sample carryover is reduced to an absolute minimum. Cleaning and rinsing becomes easier. The linearity over the whole measuring range is maximized and the response time is shortened. All kinds of samples can be measured easily, including pure water. } www.mt.com/inlabconductivity