Monday, August 6, 2012

Significance of the concept of 'Cleanroom'

Maintenance of a Clean room needs utmost care and control, and this can be accomplished by proper design of that room, availability of testing equipments and skilled technicians, and regular monitoring in order to maintain it.

A number of environmental factors need to be controlled within specified limits in order to maintain a Clean room. These are Temperature, Air-borne particulates, Microbial particles, Relative humidity, Differential pressure, and Air Flow. Although the design of a Clean room involves quite a complicated methodology, the basic design can be summarized to employ increased air supply, use of high efficiency filters like HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) & ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air), & room pressurization. The execution of Clean room Validation is accomplished through five steps, and they are: Design Qualification, Installation Qualification, Operation Qualification, Performance Qualification, and Control Monitor. The laboratories that provide Cleanroom Validation & Designing follow ISO 14644, and some of the tests required for evaluation and certification of Cleanroom are Airborne Particle count test, Airflow (Laminar Flow) Velocity test, Air Pressure differential test, Installed Filter leakage test, Airflow visualization test, and Airflow direction test.The frequency of conducting such tests is also a matter of importance and needs to be followed scrupulously. Classification of Clean room to various grades is done according to ISO 14644-1, BS 5295, and Federal standard 209E. ISO 14644 though is the current regulatory standard.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Implications of testing of Petroleum Products

The importance of the use of petroleum products in today’s era can be seen and realized almost everywhere. The vast range of petroleum and petrochemical products being used in almost every sphere of activities is proof enough of the fact that such products have become indispensable for the existence of mankind. Although the history of the usage of petroleum products dates back to medieval periods, it is only recently that the importance of quality of such products has been realized. This is mainly because of the wide applications of those products like in household purposes, industries, automobiles, aviation sector, etc. and also because of the improvement in the refining processes developed as a result of evolution of new technologies.

Petroleum literally means ‘Rock Oil’ and implies a host of hydrocarbon-rich compounds that have accumulated in subterranean reservoirs. The large number of petroleum products exhibits a great degree of diversity in terms of composition, properties, and end-use. In order to categorize these compounds into different classes, it is vital to characterize each and every type according to their properties. This can be done through proper physical and chemical testing of petroleum products. Some of the common physical tests of petroleum products include boiling point/range, density, specific gravity, viscosity, Flash point, Pour point, Octane number, Cetane number etc. Some of the common chemical testing parameters of petro-products include elemental composition in terms of Carbon, Hydrogen, Sulfur, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Calorific value estimation, Ash content etc. Broadly speaking, the main aim of testing of petroleum products is to address the following issues:

  • Characterization of the key properties necessary from the point of view of use in refineries.
  • Identification and quantification of contaminants like metal, alloys etc. which can impair the functioning of refining equipments.
  • Determination of chemical composition in order to assess the environmental impact of the particular petroleum product.
  • Ascertaining the commercial value of a product.

Apart from the determination of the above-mentioned bulk properties of petroleum products, microscopic analysis also holds paramount importance especially in preventive maintenance activities. In this context, Ferrography needs a well-deserved mention. Also known as wear-particle/wear-debris analysis and machine condition monitoring, ferrography is the microscopic examination of used industrial fluids or lubricants for the presence of ferrous and non-ferrous particles. The presence of such particles indicates mechanical wear of industrial equipments and such an analysis constitute a tool for preventive maintenance of industrial machines. Assessment of the conditions of lubricating oils is as vital and synonymous to the checking of health of an individual enabled by blood testing. Lubricants are the life-line of industrial machineries. Analysis of lubricants has three aspects: type and amount of contaminants, physical conditions of the lubricant like viscosity, and assessment of machine wear in terms of metal composition. The key objectives of Ferrography Analysis can be summarized as follows:

  • Extending equipment life.
  • Historic trending to help reduce maintenance and operation costs.
  • Avoiding or reducing sudden downtime costs.
  • Following the guiding principle of ‘Preventive Maintenance’ which is to counter the problem before it gets too late.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Environmental & Building Materials Testing

The developmental changes that have accompanied human civilization throughout the world have relied a lot, among a number of important parameters, on the infrastructural growth and the associated technologies. Infrastructure implies all those things and structures which form the basis or foundation of a progressing society, and finally of a nation. Infrastructure includes buildings, highways, bridges, railway and metro projects, and all those ingredients which form an integral part of the global image of a country. Now, the key to building an infrastructural marvel is the civil engineering techniques, technologies, and most importantly the building/construction materials. Construction materials include cement, aggregate, concrete, reinforced steel, structural clays (bricks), bitumen, various types of plastics etc. Proper assurance of the properties of these materials is vital to ensuring the quality and durability of the final structures that are made with them. But having said all these, we should not forget about our environment that allows us to live and breathe. Often the environmental concerns are either ignored or are sacrificed at the altar of economic progress, which actually jeopardize our future. There have been a number of irreversible changes that have been inflicted on our environment due to reckless and thoughtless activities of mankind. One such example is the ‘Greenhouse Effect’ and the various global effects associated with it. Any major civil project has to be analyzed, before it gets underway, for its compatibility (with environment) and feasibility. Hence, the importance of environmental testing can not be ignored. The reliability of the test results is a very important issue, and here accredited laboratories tend to have an edge over other laboratories because of certified competence.

The basic properties of engineering or building materials can be broadly categorized into three types: Physical, Mechanical and Chemical. All these three test types are used to characterize the test items in terms of their respective properties. Mechanical properties describe the behavior of the materials under the application of external loads. Some of the mechanical properties are Compressive strength, tensile strength, Young’s modulus, Hardness etc. The physical properties arise due to the physical state or composition of the substance, and some of the common properties are density, specific gravity, soundness, permeability, porosity, moisture, texture etc. Last but not the least, the chemical properties reveal about the chemical composition and the chemical characteristics which arise as a result of various relevant chemical reactions involving the test item. Some such properties include pH, acidity, alkalinity, ash content, chemical composition of key ingredients (like cations, anions, chemical compounds) in cement, minerals etc. Building materials testing not only involves testing of all the key ingredients of construction, like cement, aggregate, concrete, reinforced steel etc., but also involves soil testing and water testing used for construction. The testing of such materials is done at various stages of the construction activities, and hence form an important part of the Quality Assurance program.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Accurate Calibration Services promote Quality and Efficiency

Calibration is an integral requirement for Instrumentation professionals who provide services to a number of important sectors such as medical care, medication, product development, food & beverage sector, etc. Device calibration is amongst the primary techniques that ensure the precision of the devices. Simply put, Calibration is the process of verifying the results generated by a measuring instrument. Although the exact method of calibration varies from one instrument to another, the basic process generally involves comparing the results from the test instrument with that of the reference standard.

Technicians who might require the Thermal calibration services include mature instrument specialist, instrument specialist and newbie professionals. Each of them would have required the relevant specifications in the specified market. If you want the in house calibration, the solutions would be happy to help you with it. You can also deliver your devices according to the class so that the assessments can be conducted with the best possible precision. If there are concerns about the need for re-calibration, you would be advised so that you can decide whether to continue with it or not.

Calibration companies also have an immediate assistance. However, in common the transformation time is two to three days. When you choose the best company, make sure that you take into account their experience in the market, qualifications and quality of the 'analytical calibration' devices used, variety of solutions provided, precision and timeliness. Production and method development can be highly improved by implementation of these steps and strategies. Maintaining the calibration of all the measuring devices to the desired level of accuracy guarantees the best possible efficiency.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Spectro Material Testing Laboratory in India

The choosing and research is done by an approved ecological clinical. The techniques used include walk-through reviews, dirt choosing, and chemical choosing. Walk-through reviews are often used to identify certain risks such as it dirt. The laboratory personnel may also use various electronic tools to evaluate other factors such as shake or smells. Consuming water examining and surrounding air examining are some of the other techniques done at such laboratories. Sometimes, property owners ask for that certain assessments be accomplished by clinical personnel to make sure that the community is basically safe from ecological risks. Spectro Lab provides all of these solutions as per the recommendations set out by managing organizations. They make sure that all safety measures are taken at all times to prevent any kind of contaminants of the taste.

It is not essential that a drinking water testing laboratory, soil testing lab, or air testing laboratory be limited to doing just those specific samplings. They may also be outfitted to handle issues such as ground water testing. It is never too overdue to make the office a better place for everyone engaged. Contact an environment clinical to talk about whether your office should be examined for ecological risks to meet condition recommendations. Each condition has its own set of recommendations about business cleanliness, and a local lab will be well-acquainted with these. The recommendations also contain certain techniques to be followed when the lab specialist is gathering the examples. Similar techniques must be followed when the examining is being carried out. The costs engaged rely on the assessments accomplished and will differ with regards to the complexness of the entire procedure. Spectro Lab also provides the solutions of a material testing laboratory amongst others.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Spectro Oil Testing Lab in India

Company companies using hefty devices to process their goods have to deal with servicing and fix expenditures to the systems. An oil testing lab can be of prime facilitation when trying to reduce these expenditures through a well organized servicing routine. An research of economic oils and lubricating liquids will shows styles of deterioration on any particular item of systems and help organizations determine the best possible here we are at organized fix.

Establishing A Baseline
A device may require a different servicing routine when used for different requirements. A huge industrial compactor/baler may be used by one organization to produce huge offers of eco friendly plastic movie. Another organization may use the same model of compactor for Wood and Furniture Testing. The actual uses put a certain amount of stress on the motor unit as well as the gas liquids. Eventually the regular deterioration on the machines is attached to their specific use.

When an oil analysis lab considers the liquid taste an idea to what causes structure changes in the oil becomes obvious. The speed at which the liquid degrades is due to the temperature changes during device function, the reliability of the materials being oiled and any outside pollutants that find their way into the devices. By taking the outcomes of the research and evaluating them to the unit's function, clinical experts validate a regular deterioration guideline. If after several testing’s the oil or lubrication is increasing in its deterioration it means that a problem with the devices has developed and malfunction may be certain.

Setting Up A Testing Program
Companies can use the services of an oil examining clinical to create a servicing routine. Workers can be trained to take the products themselves and prepare them for research. This keeps the systems managing on routine while the products are being examined. The lab outcomes are sent immediately to the consumer and show any difference from regular use on the systems. This is important information for entrepreneurs wanting to keep fix expenditures to a minimum.

Spectro Lab performs a national oil and lubrication examining system for businesses in the sectors of cooking food testing, power generation, chemical generation, steel generation and hefty devices functions. The organization clinical provides complete research of economic liquids and delivers a specific report of any problems associated with the devices from which products were taken. Spectro has sophisticated oil examining lab procedure that perfectly forecasts device exhaustion based just on the outcomes of liquid structure. This simple research can save entrepreneurs thousands yearly in fix expenditures.