Drinking Water Quality Standard

Parameter Group RECOMMENDED RAW WATER QUALITY DRINKING WATER QUALITY STANDARDS Acceptable Value (mg/litre (unless otherwise stated)) Maximum Acceptable Value (mg/litre (unless otherwise stated)) Total Coliform 1 5000 MPN / 100 ml 0 in 100 ml E.coli 1 5000 MPN / 100 m 0 in 100 m Turbidity 1 1000 NTU 5 NTU Color 1 300 TCU 15 TCU pH 1 5.5 - 9.0 6.5 - 9.0 Free Residual Chlorine 1 - 0.2 - 5.0 Combined...

Parameter	Group	RECOMMENDED RAW WATER QUALITY	DRINKING WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
		Acceptable Value (mg/litre (unless otherwise stated))	Maximum Acceptable Value (mg/litre (unless otherwise stated))
Total Coliform	1	5000 MPN / 100 ml	0 in 100 ml
E.coli	1	5000 MPN / 100 m	0 in 100 m
Turbidity	1	1000 NTU	5 NTU
Color	1	300 TCU	15 TCU
pH	1	5.5 – 9.0	6.5 – 9.0
Free Residual Chlorine	1	–	0.2 – 5.0
Combined Chlorine	1	–	Not Less Than 1.0
Temperature	1	–	–
Clostridium perfringens (including spores)	1	–	Absent
Coliform bacteria	1	–	–
Colony count 22°	1	–	–
Conductivity	1	–	–
Enterococci	1	–	–
Odour	1	–	–
Taste	1	–	–
Oxidisability	1	–	–
Total Dissolved Solids	2	1500	1000
Chloride	2	250	250
Ammonia	2	1.5	1.5
Nitrat	2	10	10
Ferum/Iron	2	1.0	0.3
Fluoride	2	1.5	0.4 – 0.6
Hardness	2	500	500
Aluminium	2	–	0.2
Manganese	2	0.2	0.1
Chemical Oxygen Demand	2	10	–
Anionic Detergent MBAS	2	1.0	1.0
Biological Oxygen Demand	2	6	–
Nitrite	2	–	–
Total organic carbon (TOC)	2	–	–
Mercury	3	0.001	0.001
Cadmium	3	0.003	0.003
Arsenic	3	0.01	0.01
Cyanide	3	0.07	0.07
Plumbum/Lead	3	0.05	0.01
Chromium	3	0.05	0.05
Cuprum/Copper	3	1.0	1.0
Zinc	3	3	3
Natrium/Sodium	3	200	200
Sulphate	3	250	250
Selenium	3	0.01	0.01
Argentum	3	0.05	0.05
Magnesium	3	150	150
Mineral Oil	3	0.3	0.3
Chloroform	3	–	0.2
Bromoform	3	–	0.1
Dibromoklorometana	3	–	0.1
Bromodiklorometana	3	–	0.06
Fenol/Phenol	3	0.002	0.002
Antimony	3	–	0.005
Nickel	3	–	0.02
Dibromoacetonitrile	3	–	0.1
Dichloroacetic acid	3	–	0.05
Dichloroacetonitrile	3	–	0.09
Trichloroacetic acid	3	–	0.1
Trichloroacetonitrile	3	–	0.001
Trihalomethanes – Total	3	–	1.00
Aldrin / Dealdrin	4	0.00003	0.00003
DDT	4	0.002	0.002
Heptachlor & Heptachlor Epoxide	4	0.00003	0.00003
Methoxychlor	4	0.02	0.02
Lindane	4	0.002	0.002
Chlordane	4	0.0002	0.0002
Endosulfan	4	0.03	0.03
Hexachlorobenzena	4	0.001	0.001
1,2-dichloroethane	4	–	0.03
2,4,5-T	4	–	0.009
2,4,6-trichlorophenol	4	–	0.2
2,4-D	4	0.03	0.03
2,4-DB	4	–	0.09
2,4-dichlorophenol	4	–	0.09
Acrylamide	4	–	0.0005
Alachlor	4	–	0.02
Aldicarb	4	–	0.01
Benzene	4	–	0.01
Carbofuran	4	–	0.007
MCPA	4	–	0.002
Pendimethalin	4	–	0.02
Pentachlorophenol	4	–	0.009
Permethrin	4	–	0.02
Pesticides	4	–	–
Pesticides – Total	4	–	–
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons	4	–	–
Propanil	4	–	0.02
Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene	4	–	–
Vinyl chloride	4	–	0.005
Gross alpha (α)	5	0.1Bq/l	0.1Bq/l
Gross beta (β)	5	1.0 Bq/l	1.0 Bq/l
Tritium	5	–	–
Total indicative dose	5	–	–

 

Measuring the pH of Shampoo

Measuring the pH of Shampoo.

Shampoo, or more accurately the concept of shampoo, has existed since the time of the first ancient civilizations. Among centuries of adaptation and development, the act of cleansing hair has changed quite dramatically; at first, a combination of oils, herbs, and perfumes were used as a way to simply freshen hair. Upon further understanding of hygienic health, soap was included in the combination to physically clean the hair. As the science behind hair care progressed, manufacturers synthesized chemical additives for use in shampoo as fragrance, foaming agents, and coloured dyes. Shampoo is now created and structured towards various hair types, as well as to achieve a certain end result, such as the reduction of dandruff. Both the synthetic and natural ingredients used in a shampoo dictate the pH of that particular product. The pH of a shampoo will alter the natural pH of skin and hair, which ideally falls between pH 3 and 5 and pH 4 and 5, respectively, thereby affecting their physical and chemical makeup.

The human scalp contains sebaceous glands which secrete sebum, a semiliquid substance composed of glycerides, waxes, and fatty acids. Sebum coats the outer layer of hair, called the cuticle, to prevent loss of water. The presence of sebum helps to maintain soft and flexible hair, as well as prevent the growth of bacteria and the spread of fungal infections on the scalp. However, due to its chemical makeup, sebum also attracts dirt. Shampoo is composed primarily of cleaning agents, such as detergents, that work to remove dirt and excess sebum, leaving a light layer of sebum on the scalp. A detergent molecule is composed of both nonpolar and polar portions, permitting oil and grease to be stripped from the scalp and hair by the nonpolar portion and washed away with water by the polar component; upon reaction with water, detergent molecules tend to produce alkaline solutions. Hair is composed of long, parallel chains of amino acids that are connected by forces such as hydrogen and disulphide bonds and salt bridges between acid and base groups. Environments that are either too alkaline or too acidic can affect and, at some levels, break these bonds. At pH levels between pH 1 and 2, both hydrogen bonds and salt bridges are broken. At slightly alkaline levels, closer to a pH of 8.5, some of the disulphide bonds are broken; with repeated washes at this pH, disulphide bonds will continue to break and result in “split ends.” Finally, at a pH near 12, all three types of bonds are broken and the hair dissolves. Ideally, shampoo should be “pH-balanced,” meaning that it would have a similar pH to that of hair to omit any negative effects on the scalp or hair due to pH variations. Some hair care companies produce pH-balanced shampoo, either with synthetic and/or natural components.

Application :

A company that produced all-natural skin and hair care products was in need of a new pH electrode to spot test their pH-balanced shampoos. Hanna Instruments recommended the HI1053 pH Electrode for Fats and Creams. The HI1053 provides a fast response time in the viscous sample due to the increased flow rate from outer reference that has a triple ceramic junction. A standard single ceramic junction in the outer reference has a flow rate of 15-20 μL/hour while the triple ceramic has a flow rate of 40-50 μL/hour. The HI1053 electrodes are available with different connection types. To the customer’s appreciation, they were able to use their new Hanna HI1053B pH electrode with a competitor pH meter, as it was equipped with the universal BNC connection. Since the major components of their shampoo consisted of natural materials, including coconut-based derivatives, the Hanna Sales Representative also supplied the customer with the HI7077 Cleaning Solution for Oils and Fats for occasional cleaning procedures to maintain a good working condition. Overall, the customer was more than satisfied with the technical assistance from Hanna Instruments in finding the best pH electrode for their application.

Health and Beauty

Analysis of Disinfectant Quaternary Ammonium Salts.

Description :
Surface acting agents, commonly known as surfactants, are compounds that serve a variety of roles in many applications. One of their primary functions is to reduce tension at the surface or interface between two differing phases or substances. Due to this unique property, a multitude of industries and applications utilize surfactants as detergents, dispersants, and bactericides as well as foaming, wetting, and antistatic agents. Surfactants display these tension-reducing properties because they may contain one or more amphiphilic groups; compounds that possess amphiphilic groups exhibit an affinity for both polar and non polar substances. Surfactants are generally categorized as anionic, nonionic, cationic, and amphoteric. These categories describe the nature by which each compound disassociates in an aqueous solution and which ion, if any, carries the amphiphilic group.Quaternary ammonium salts are a commonly used cationic surfactant. Cationic surfactants contain a positively charged ion, or cation, that carries the amphiphilic group, allowing them to adsorb negatively charged substrates. Quaternary ammonium salts, specifically, are comprised of a quaternary ammonium cation group, commonly known as a quat; the quats are combined with some anion group, typically a chloride or other halide ion. Due to the aforementioned characteristics, these salts frequently serve as the active ingredient in antimicrobial and disinfectant products.

Application :
A manufacturer of disinfectant wipes was looking to determine the percentage of active ingredients, by weight, in their raw material disinfectant solutions and finished cleaning products. Understanding the quat content of their materials was important for quality control and reporting purposes. As part of the manufacturing process, the wipe product was first soaked in a solution of quaternary ammonium compound, alcohol, and water. The roll of wipe product was then sealed, packaged, and stored. For this application, Hanna Instruments recommended the HI902C Automatic Titration System with the HI4113 Nitrate Combination Ion Selective Electrode (ISE). The nitrate ion selective electrode is approved, along with surfactant electrodes, for the analysis of disinfectant quaternary ammonium compounds per Standard Test Method ASTM D5806. In this method, a cationic compound, such as quaternary ammonium salt, is titrated potentiometrically in an aqueous medium with a standard solution of sodium lauryl sulfate; the nitrate ISE is used as the indicating electrode. A complex is formed between the disinfectant quaternary ammonium compound and sodium lauryl sulfate, which is an anionic surfactant. The complex that is formed then precipitates out of solution and the nitrate ISE responds to the change in potential with a well-defined inflection point. The customer was pleased with the low cost at which Hanna Instruments could accommodate their needs as well as the simplicity of the device when performing the analysis. Because they were beginning to build out their laboratory and quality control area, the manufacturer valued the potential for the titrator to accommodate future methods and the versatility for it to also perform as a benchtop pH meter. Most of all, the customer appreciated the service, support, and commitment received by Hanna Instruments as they developed and implemented new quality control procedures.

Aquaculture

Measuring COD in WWTP

Coral Reef Aquarium

Measuring Dissolved Oxygen of Hydroponic Nutrient Solutions

Measuring Dissolved Oxygen of Hydroponic Nutrient Solutions.

In hydroponic growing systems, plants are grown in a soilless environment and receive all essential nutrients from a nutrient solution. These nutrient solutions are closely monitored for pH, EC/TDS, and specific nutrient concentrations; however, one parameter that is often overlooked is oxygen. Oxygen is essential for the development of a healthy root system, both for aerobic respiration of the roots and to support a community of beneficial aerobic bacteria in the root zone. Insufficient oxygen levels in the root zone will cause less developed roots, limited nutrient absorption, and an increased population of undesirable bacteria and fungi, all of which result in plant stress.

There are multiple types of hydroponic systems, but some of the most common include:
 deep water culture, where the plant roots are submerged in a nutrient solution;
 aeroponics systems, where the plant roots grow in air and are misted with a nutrient solution;
 nutrient film technique, where the very ends of roots are in contact with a surface wetted with nutrient solution;
 and drip or passive irrigation systems, where the plant roots grow in an inert media such as cocoa peat, rock wool, or perlite, and nutrient solution slowly drips through.

In systems where the roots are submerged, aeration of the nutrient solution is essential to ensure healthy root development. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels of 5 mg/L and above are recommended, as levels below this are detrimental and possibly fatal to plants. However, a DO concentration of 5 mg/L is difficult to maintain in greenhouse environments. As the temperature of water increases, the solubility of oxygen decreases. The elevated temperatures in greenhouses result in low DO solubility, as well as higher root respiration and oxygen consumption. DO concentrations greater than 5 mg/L can be maintained by aeration. Aeration can be achieved by the use of air pumps and oxygen diffusers, additions of chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide or ozone, or physically by rapid mixing.

Application:

A nursery contacted Hanna Instruments for a way to monitor dissolved oxygen in their irrigation water. The nursery was utilising a combination of both soil-based growing methods and passive irrigation hydroponic systems, and wanted a way to measure DO in their reservoir tank as well as their hydroponic nutrient solution at various points throughout the greenhouse. The customer was supersaturating their irrigation water to 10 mg/L DO with an air pump and air stone. This was to ensure that levels would be maintained at 5 mg/L or above once the nutrients were added and the nutrient solution was trickled through the greenhouse. Hanna offered the HI2004 edge®DO Meter. The HI2004 edge®DO measures dissolved oxygen from 0.00 to 45.00 mg/L with 0.01 mg/L resolution and high accuracy of ±1.5% of reading ±1 digit. The slim, 12 mm diameter HI764080 polarographic DO probe allowed the customer to take in situ DO measurements of their nutrient solution throughout the greenhouse. The temperature component on the DO sensor allows for automatic temperature compensation to DO measurements, resulting in more accurate readings. Altitude and salinity compensation can also be enabled by simply entering both the barometric pressure and salinity into the meter menu. The customer appreciated that the preformed DO membranes made refreshing the electrolyte and membrane replacement extremely easy. The included wall mount cradle allowed the customer to keep their DO probe in their storage reservoir for real-time DO measurements. The built-in battery and tablet design of edge®DO offered the portability the customer needed for taking measurements around the greenhouse. Overall, the HI2004 edge®DO was a perfect fit for the nursery’s DO testing needs.

Nutrient in Soils

pH in Soil Growing

Color of Honey

Tomato Maturity

Sodium in Canned Soup

Salt Content of Bread

Measuring the Salt Content of Bread.

Description :
The art of bread making has a rich and extensive history, with ancient roots that can be traced back at least 30,000 years. Today, the cultural and nutritional importance of bread is still signif cant as it continues to shape culinary identities worldwide. Generally, the process of bread making remains unchanged. Unleavened breads, such as Matzoh, are comprised of only four and water. Upon mixing, gluten protein is formed, giving the bread structure and elasticity. After the dough is kneaded, it is baked immediately and results in a thin “fatbread”. In comparison, leavened bread is that which rises during the baking process due to the addition of a leavening agent. The frst use of yeast as a leavening agent is believed to be accidental. It is thought that fatbread dough was left out on a warm day, causing naturally occurring yeast in contaminated four to ferment before baking. During fermentation, enzymes in the yeast cause the breakdown of starch molecules into simple sugars. The yeast then metabolizes these sugars and creates carbon dioxide gas and alcohol as byproducts. The gas molecules expand within the dough’s gluten structure, causing it to rise. In the primitive days of leavened bread making, there was little known about yeast and its function. Many thought the leavening process was merely a ba ing phenomenon. In turn, there was limited control over the yeast during bread making. This resulted in very inconsistent bread quality. It wasn’t until the invention of modern microbiology that the function and regulation of yeast was fully understood. The presence of salt (NaCl) in dough is an important factor that helps to regulate yeast. Salt in dough a ects the strength of its gluten structure. Dough with low concentrations of salt is sticky and cannot withstand kneading. A su cient amount of salt will strengthen the gluten structure in dough, permitting better storage of carbon dioxide and therefore, uniform and adequate leavening. Salt also slows leavening by drawing water out of the yeast cells, resulting in softer, tastier bread. In addition to improving leavening, salt also preserves bread by attracting moisture from the air and enhances the favor. For these reasons, most dough recipes suggest 1.8-2.0% salt based on the weight of four.

Description :
A customer contacted Hanna Instruments looking to determine the salt content of their bread per AOAC International O cial Method of Analysis 926.04 and 971.27. Due to the sampling requirements stated in the AOAC 926.04 Preparation of a Bread Sample, Hanna recommended the HI902C Automatic Potentiometric Titrator. Per AOAC Method 926.04, the customer was instructed to dry a 2 -3 mm thick piece of bread until brittle, grind, and then pass through a No. 20 sieve. Next, the customer followed AOAC Method 971.27 Determination of Sodium Chloride in Low-moisture Sample, blending 50g of bread sample with 450g of deionized water, and then mixing a 50g aliquot with dilute nitric acid. From there, the sample was then titrated against 0.1 M Silver Nitrate solution using the HI4107 Chloride Combination Ion-selective Electrode as the indicating electrode. To the customer’s relief, the HI902C permits user methods to be created and customized based upon the sample matrix and sample preparation, so as opposed to having to manually calculate the dilution, the customer could simply  fll in the parameters under the “Dilution Option” feature. The customer also valued that due to the 0.1% accuracy of the dosing system and specific features in the Method Options, such as “Dynamic Dosing” and “Signal Stability,” the titrator produced accurate and quick results; this allowed them to identify production problems in a traceable, e cient manner. Furthermore, the storage capacity of 100 reports and USBtransferable methods and reports provided the customer with extra data management fexibility. Ultimately, the HI902C proved to be a valuable tool for maintaining high standards throughout the bread production process.

Conductivity in Yogurt

Measurement of Conductivity in Yogurt.

Description :
The regular consumption of dairy products provides numerous health benefits, such as strengthening bone health, encouraging proper digestion, and reducing the risk of certain infections. Yogurt is one of the most popular types of dairy products consumed worldwide. Depending on the desired fat content of the finished product, yogurt is produced with milk, cream, or powdered milk products. Any additional ingredients, such as stabilizers or sweeteners, are mixed in with the milk products and heated for pasteurization. For effective pasteurization, the heating process must be performed at temperatures near 93°C (199.4°F) for a time period ranging from 30 seconds to 30 minutes. Due to the differences in fat content of milk and cream, the ingredients will naturally separate after the pasteurization process; to prevent this, the mixture is homogenized. Homogenization involves destroying the fat globules by crushing them, allowing even distribution of the fat particles so the two liquid phases merge. The next step in yogurt production is fermentation; this occurs in designated tanks that are heated to 45°C (113°F). It is during the fermentation stage that live bacteria are added to the mixture, namely Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. These bacteria convert the sugar naturally present in the milk, as well as any present from added sweeteners, into lactic acid. The lactic acid is responsible for the thickening of the yogurt, as well as the tart flavor. The length of the fermentation stage is generally between 6 and 20 hours, but ultimately depends on the type of yogurt being produced. Electrolytic conductivity, commonly abbreviated as EC, is the measurement of a substances ability to carry an electrical current. Dissolved salts are the main contributors to a solution’s conductivity. During fermentation, the production of lactic acid converts colloidal calcium and magnesium into their ionic forms. The calcium and magnesium ions are able to carry a current through the fermented yogurt base, thus increasing the EC. By monitoring how EC changes over time, fermentation can be monitored within a batch of yogurt and be used to determine when fermentation has finished; after an initial increase of EC in the beginning of fermentation, the EC stabilizes indicating the end of lactic acid production.

Application:
A large yogurt manufacturer contacted Hanna about using a portable conductivity meter to help determine when fermentation was complete in their yogurt product. The HI99300 Portable EC/TDS Meter and HI76306 EC/ TDS Probe were offered to fit the customer’s needs. This combination proved to be a great solution, as the HI76306 features a built-in emperature probe for automatic temperature compensation (ATC) from 0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F); as fermentation is performed at 45°C (113°F), the customer felt assured that their EC readings were being appropriately adjusted in terms of temperature. Also of importance to the customer was the ease of cleaning and maintaining the HI76306 probe. As a two-pole EC probe, a simple rinse of purified water was needed for cleaning to provide consistent, reliable readings. The customer also appreciated the ease of a one-point calibration with the HI70031P 1413 µS/cm EC Standard Sachets. The one-time use sachets afforded a portable calibration so the customer could easily perform their calibration on the production floor. The sachets also assured the customer that each calibration was performed using a fresh, accurate solution. Furthermore, it was also necessary that the meter was waterproof; the HI99300 is rated for IP67 conditions, where the “6” indicates a dust tight product and the “7”, immersion in water up to 1 meter. Overall, the yogurt manufacturer was pleased with the ease of use and portability of their EC meter purchased from Hanna.

Moisture Content of Flour

Soy Sauce Production

Measuring Brix of Jam

Calcium in Cheese

Acidity Of Mayonnaise

 
For their analyses, two titrator and autosampler sequences were developed: a sequence for pH measurement, and a sequence for TA. For the pH method, the customer prepared the sample by filling sample beakers halfway with sample and adding a small amount of DI water. Once the sequence was initiated, the electrode was lowered in the beaker. A customer-defined preanalysis stir time ensured the sample was homogenous before measurement. After this stir time, the meter automatically recorded the pH measurement once the reading stabilised. A pH measurement report was generated for each sample in the tray.
 
 
For TA, the customer was preparing a dilution as outlined in the AOAC method. Samples were titrated with NaOH and results were reported as acetic acid. The customer appreciated the ability of the system to accommodate up to 15 samples and 3 rinse beakers in their 18-beaker tray for both their pH and TA sequences. The combination of the HI902C Titrator, HI921 Autosampler, and FC210B FoodCare Electrode provided the customer a comprehensive, accurate, and simple solution to their mayonnaise testing needs.

Saltwater Therapy Pools

Monitoring Water Filtration at a Brewery

Monitoring Water Filtration at a Brewery.

Measuring Moisture in Wood

Measuring Moisture in Wood.

Wood surrounds us in everyday infrastructure and furnishings. Despite this, people generally give little thought to how the wood was made safe for its final destination. Wood was once a part of a plant and is made of a complex cellular structure. As is the case with cells, the wood can readily absorb and retain moisture. Treatment of wood and wood products may involve drying or humidifying in order to achieve the desired moisture content for the wood. Too little moisture can reduce resiliency and flexibility of the wood, which results in cracking. However, too much moisture can make wood prone to decay and softening. Both of these deficiencies lead to wood being unstable, resulting in products of reduced lifespan and quality. Once wood is heat or humidity treated, a type of sealant such as paint, varnish, oil, or stain may be applied. Too much moisture prior to sealing can cause damage to the treatment. Further, if the wood is unsealed, moisture can creep in overtime and compromise the stability (wood strength, flexibility, durability, quality) and lifespan of the wooden structure.

Moisture content is most important during processing, but is also relevant postproduction if further wood treatment is needed. For example, if wood is received in a dried condition but the ambient moisture is 15%, this could cause the moisture to exceed 20%. Excess moisture results in paint bubbling and peeling as well as discoloration. Finishes on the wood can influence the amount of moisture transmitted into the wood during its working life. Water-based finishes and porous finishes such as paint are more permeable and do not repel water and moisture as effectively as moisture repellent finishes such as a film- forming finish. Finish choice can be influenced by the moisture retention of the wood.

Application:

A wood fabrication company contacted Hanna Instruments to find a solution to an issue they were experiencing with their new finish. The company was starting to shift into more eco-friendly practices and had changed to a water-based varnish. While the benefits of the new varnish were substantial, they were having issues with the glossiness of the finish. Instead of a high-gloss varnish, it was coming out duller compared to the samples from the varnish manufacturer. The wood fabrication company wanted to measure the moisture content of the wood before and after treatment to determine if they needed to change their drying and storage practices for the wood in order to maintain the proper finish.Hanna Instruments recommended the HI903 Karl Fischer Volumetric Titrator for accurate determination of moisture in the wood. The HI903 can measure up to 100% moisture, accommodating the entire range of products that the customer wanted to test. Due to wood’s cell structure, an external extraction was suggested to release the water over the course of several hours. An external extraction removes moisture from the wood using a non-aqueous solvent. The titration is performed on the extract once all of the moisture in the wood is extracted. The customer appreciated the titrant recordkeeping and titrant database capability of the titrator, as they would have to use different titrants depending on the sample material. The customer valued that the titrations would take much less time than determining moisture by loss on drying. The HI903 provided a precise and complete solution to their moisture content measuring requirements.

Calcium Chloride in Canned Vegetables

Calcium Chloride in Canned Vegetables.

Food preservation has been performed for thousands of years in many different ways, and it continues to evolve with advancements in science and technology. Techniques such as salting and curing date back to medieval times, where newer methods include the use of food additives and irradiation. These more modern preservation techniques are more technical and can present more challenges in preservation efficiency. 

One of the most popular techniques that has stood the test of time is canning. Canning as a method of preservation can be traced back to the early 1800s. The invention of canning was a result of the French government offering a cash reward for an affordable, efficient means of preserving large volumes of food. At the time, the French government needed a way to increase availability of food supplies for armies fighting in the Napoleonic wars. Inventor Nicholas Appert observed that food cooked in sealed glass jars would not spoil unless the seal was broken. However, the fragile glass jars proved to be inconvenient for transport, so the use of steel cans for canning was introduced. Often, home cooks can their own fruits and vegetables by packing them into glass jars, heating, and finally sealing them to prevent the growth of bacteria. Industrial canning primarily uses tin-coated steel cans or aluminium cans. These cans are internally coated with an epoxy resin to prevent the leaching of metals into the food. In conjunction with the canning process itself, chemical additives are frequently used to further prevent degradation of the product.

While the heat and pressure used during canning extends the shelf life of foods, manufacturers may still add preservatives like sulphites and calcium chloride to further increase longevity, retain freshness, and improve texture. Calcium chloride (CaCl ) is used in a wide variety of food products including cheese, tofu, and sports drinks because of its effectiveness as an anti-caking agent, stabiliser, and thickener. Calcium chloride can be used to adjust for mineral deficiencies during the cheese making process or even during beer brewing. Canned vegetable and pickle manufacturers often use calcium chloride as a substitute for sodium chloride in their brines to lower sodium content but still provide the salty flavour and antimicrobial benefits of salt. 

Due to the strict standards set by the governmental regulations, manufacturers must be certain that the calcium chloride content of their products comply with them. Additionally, calcium chloride is monitored for quality control purposes to ensure consistency between batches.

Application :

A canned foods manufacturer contacted Hanna Instruments interested in testing the calcium chloride content of their canned tomatoes. Their goal was to meet the regulations of 0.4% CaCl (FDA, US) and comply with their internal quality ₂ control standards. The customer already had a production laboratory established to test for other parameters, so their primary concern was obtaining a meter with high accuracy and repeatability. Hanna suggested the HI902 Automatic Titration System with an HI4104 Combination Calcium Ion Selective Electrode for complexometric determination of calcium with EDTA. The 40,000 step piston-driven pump delivered precise titrant doses into their tomato samples, yielding better results than with a manual titration. The fast titration time ensured they met their production deadlines and allowed them to do more frequent testing for better quality control. The HI902 can store up to 100 methods, enabling the operator to create and optimise various titration methods to suit specific sample types. The customer appreciated this, as they produced other tomato-based foods which also required analysis. Overall, the HI902 gave the manufacturer an accurate, reliable means of measuring calcium chloride in their products allowing them comply with governmental standards and produce a consistent, high quality product.

Measuring COD in Olive Oil Manufacturing Wastewater

Measuring COD in Olive Oil Manufacturing Wastewater.

The olive tree, Olea europaea is a species of small tree native to and naturalised in many locations around the world, such as the Mediterranean Basin and France. The tree bears the olive fruit, which can be consumed whole or used in the making of olive oil. Olive oil is the only commercially significant vegetable oil that is extracted from fruit rather than from seeds. Vegetable oils extracted from seeds, such as sunflower and canola oil, undergo significant processing to remove industrial solvents used during oil extraction, as well as compounds naturally present in most vegetable seeds that would otherwise result in unpleasant tastes and odours. Due to high levels of water in olives, olive oil can be extracted from the fruit by simpler, mechanical based methods, such as centrifugation or pressing; these methods produce a more flavorful and less processed product. Like most industries, olive oil manufacturing produces waste from unusable materials of both fruit and tree. The olive oil extraction process yields only 20% usable olive oil; the remaining 80% of byproducts consist of a semisolid waste (30%) and aqueous liquor (50%). The aqueous liquor, known as olive mill wastewater (OMWW), consists mostly of water from the vegetation and soft tissues of the olive fruits, as well as from usage in various stages of oil production, such as olive washing water. The OMWW may also contain upwards of 18% organic-based compounds. This high level of organic matter results in a polluting load 25 to 80 times greater than that of domestic sewage. To mitigate an overload into the municipal wastewater treatment plant from large levels of organic matter and other potential interferences, such as an acidic pH, OMWW requires pretreatment prior to discharge into the wastewater collection system. Pretreatment is monitored through the measurement of organic matter in the discharged wastewater, or effluent. Biological oxygen demand (BOD) or chemical oxygen demand (COD) are both useful measurements in quantifying organic matter in water, but due to its faster turnaround time, COD is becoming more commonly measured during wastewater treatment. In olive oil manufacturing, the maximum COD concentrations of untreated OMWW can reach values up to 220,000 mg/L.

Water Hardness and Baked Goods Production

Salt and Acidity of Pickle Brine

pH of Cookie Dough

Moisture in Bird Seed

Water Disinfection in Poultry Farming

Fermentation in Biogas Production

Turbidity in Sugar Processing

Many foods we eat contain a variety of sweeteners, from natural sweeteners such as honey and molasses to refined sugars like granulated table sugar. In the 1970s, the development of high fructose corn syrup shifted food manufacturers away from using refined sugar in their products. High fructose corn syrup was an attractive alternative due to its less expensive raw materials and ease of handling. Recently, consumers have raised health concerns about the additive, leading to demand for products without high fructose corn syrup. As a result, food and beverage manufacturers have reverted back to using refined sugar in their products, offering them as an alternative to high fructose corn syrup varieties. The sugar refining process begins with either sugar cane or sugar beets. Sugar cane plants store natural sugar in their stalks, which are crushed to extract cane sugar juice. The juice is then clarified to eliminate impurities. The clarified juice is then boiled in a controlled vacuum environment to remove excess moisture, leaving behind a crystallised sugar mass. The sugar mass then undergoes a series of washing, centrifugation and filtration steps. These steps result in raw sugar that is ready for consumption or for further processing into refined sugar.

Heart Healthy Product

Determining Free Fatty Acids in Olive Oil
In an effort to avoid mislabeling olive oils, the International Olive Oil Council and Standards Australia (AS 5264-2011) have created standards for grading olive oil based on chemical and sensory properties. According to the standards, Extra Virgin Olive Oil must have a free fatty acid (FFA) content of less than 0.8%, while Virgin Olive Oil must contain less than 2% FFA. Olive oil labelled neither extra virgin nor virgin often incorporate refined olive oil. Refined Olive Oil is virgin olive oil that undergoes additional processing to correct defects such as high acidity and/ or poor taste. Due to the strict standards in olive oil labelling, oil testing is critical in ensuring that the oil matches the label claim.

An olive oil manufacturer contacted Hanna Instruments interested in testing their olive oil for free fatty acids. They already had a testing lab set up and wanted an accurate way to quantify the acidity of their product. Hanna Instruments suggested the HI902 Automatic Titrator.

The free fatty acids titration requires a non-aqueous solvent, so Hanna suggested the HI1043B Refillable Double Junction pH Electrode. The HI1043B’s refillable design allows the user to replace the internal electrolyte. In this case, the customer used a lithium chloride in isopropanol electrolyte instead of the conventional potassium chloride in water. The use of a non-aqueous electrolyte provided a quicker and more stable electrode response, shortening the speed of the titration.
The chemically resistant materials of the burette (PTFE valve and tubing) provided the customer peace of mind that their alcohol-based titrant would not damage the equipment. The customer appreciated the large data storage capacity of the titrator which allowed them to easily track the acid content of multiple batches. In addition, the flexibility in configuring the method options gave the customer full control over their testing and enabled them to optimise their titrations to increase overall efficiency. As a result, the HI902 proved to be an excellent fit for the customer’s needs.

Peanut Processing

Measuring Nicotine Content

Yeast Assimilable Nitrogen

Anodizing

Fracking Water/Wastewater

Humidity Monitoring

IP Rating Chart

IP Enclosure Ratings & Standards Explained

IP65   =  First Digit – Solids

IP65   =  Second Digit – Liquids

IP Rating Reference Chart

IP Rating	First Digit – SOLIDS	Second Digit – LIQUIDS
IP54	Protected from limited dust ingress	Protected from water spray from any direction, limited ingress protection
IP55	Protected from limited dust ingress	Protected from low pressure water jets from any direction, limited ingress protection
IP56	Protected from limited dust ingress	Protected from high pressure water jets from any direction, limited ingress protection
IP57	Protected from limited dust ingress	Protected from immersion between 15 centimetres and 1 metre in depth, limited ingress protection
IP58	Protected from limited dust ingress	Protected from long term immersion up to a specified pressure, limited ingress protection
IP60	Protected from total dust ingress	Not protected from liquids, limited ingress protection
IP61	Protected from total dust ingress	Protected from condensation, limited ingress protection
IP62	Protected from total dust ingress	Protected from water spray less than 15 degrees from vertical, limited ingress protection
IP63	Protected from total dust ingress	Protected from water spray less than 60 degrees from vertical, limited ingress protection
IP64	Protected from total dust ingress	Protected from water spray from any direction, limited ingress protection
IP65	Protected from total dust ingress	Protected from low pressure water jets from any direction, limited ingress protection
IP66	Protected from total dust ingress	Protected from high pressure water jets from any direction, limited ingress protection
IP67	Protected from total dust ingress	Protected from immersion between 15 centimetres and 1 metre in depth, limited ingress protection
IP68	Protected from total dust ingress	Protected from long term immersion up to a specified pressure, limited ingress protection
IP69K	Protected from total dust ingress	Protected from steam-jet cleaning, limited ingress protection

Acidosis

Environmental Requirements

A Guide For Investors

Monitoring your Body’s PH levels

pH: What does it mean? pH is the abbreviation for potential hydrogen. The pH of any solution is the measure of its hydrogen-ion concentration. The higher the pH reading, the more alkaline and oxygen rich the fluid is. The lower the pH reading, the more acidic and oxygen deprived the fluid is. The pH range is from 0 to 14, with 7.0 being neutral. Anything above 7.0 is alkaline, anything below 7.0 is considered acidic.



Human blood stays in a very narrow pH range right around ( 7.35 – 7.45 ). Below or above this range means symptoms and disease. If blood pH moves to much below 6.8 or above 7.8, cells stop functioning and the patient dies. The ideal pH for blood is 7.4

Total healing of chronic illness only takes place when and if the blood is restored to a normal, slightly alkaline pH.

An Imbalance In the body’s pH may lead to serious health concerns, including:

Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd.

• Service Reservoir Inspection and Cleaning
• Reticulation Pipe Cleaning
• Water Quality Monitoring
• Consumers Complaints
• Sanitary Survey
• Consumer Awareness Programme

Chemical Symbol

Chemical elements alphabetically listed The elements of the periodic table sorted by name in an alphabetical list.

Automatic Fertigation System

Fertigation is a need for today's irrigation system. Automatic fertigation is an efficient way to fertilize crops, saving time and money while improving yields eliminating high operational requirements.