Maintenance and Troubleshooting of Laboratory Analytical Equipments

The growth of modern technology has confronted the analytical chemist with a host of new and increasingly complex materials, and has posed more stringent demands for greater sensitivity, reliability, and speed. On the other hand, developments in instrumentation have provided the analyst with new techniques, instruments, procedures, and reagents for dealing with these of equipment, reagents, and methodology has, however greatly complicated the task of the chemist searching for the best way of attacking a new or unfamiliar sample. This workshop is intended to provide analytical chemists and their colleagues in related sciences with concise and convenient summaries of the fundamental data and the practical procedures that are most important and useful among the instrumental methods in analytical chemistry and be able to quantify the performance of analytical instruments, in particular with respect to the following:

• Estimating uncertainties in instrument
• Quantifying and demonstrating performance quality
  With an appreciation of the limitations imposed by instrument design, leading to the interplay of the validation and qualification processes within quality assurance systems. This workshop includes unique framework of topics covers the major instrumental techniques of spectrophotometers, chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and atomic emission spectroscopy. The use of case studies, exercises and practical applications, will help participants to develop a thorough understanding of the various concepts that underpin the different techniques.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the delegates will be able to:

• To understand the various techniques of analytical measurements
• To give the principles of reliable laboratory measurements
• To outline key laboratory safety issues and safety measures
• To estimate uncertainties in instrument
• To be aware of the Instrument Performance Characteristics which include types and interaction between different characteristics.
• To prepare and handle Sample for different Analytical Instrumentations
• To understand, use, maintain and troubleshoot of key laboratory equipment (Ultraviolet, Visible Spectrophotometers, Infrared Spectroscopy, Electrolytic Conductance and pH, Gas Chromatography

Course Outline

Day 1

Pre Test

Introduction

• The laboratory and its purpose
• The laboratory environment
• Laboratory layout and construction
• Out-of-laboratory services, Electricity, ventilation, water, drains etc.
• Benches, hoods, sink
• Glassware
• Plastic ware

Day 2

• Techniques of Analytical Measurements
• Instrumental Chemistry
• Principles of instrumental chemistry
• Balances
• Titration
• Colorimetry
• Atomic absorption
• Chromatography
• Petroleum Laboratory equipment

Day 3

• Calibration
• Correlations
• Reference materials
• Correct laboratory techniques
• Statistical principles for Laboratory measurements
• Reporting of analytical results

Day 4

• Why is safety important?
• Safety Policy
• Laboratory Safety
• Handling of toxic and hazardous materials
• Spills and spill control
• Good laboratory practice

Day 5

• Material safety data sheets
• Emergency planning
• Handling of Compressed Gases (Cylinders)
• Destruction of hazardous chemicals in the laboratory
• Maintenance and troubleshooting of key laboratory equipments

Post Test

Course Methodology

A variety of methodologies will be used during the course that includes:

• (30%) Based on Case Studies
• (30%) Techniques
• (30%) Role Play
• (10%) Concepts
• Pre-test and Post-test
• Variety of Learning Methods
• Lectures
• Case Studies and Self Questionaires
• Group Work
• Discussion
• Presentation