Tech Tips by K2 - Vol. 5

It's YK2 Time Now !

---

  YK2 – No the author is not dyslexic, just a smart a_ _ trying to make a point.  Why K2?  Because we are your KEM authorized service agent for the United States and we truly can help!

    Take for instance that pesky problem of the leaking burette.  The time to correct this problem is before it happens.  Remember the old saying:  “An ounce of prevention is worth a gallon of titrant!”  Depending upon the usage of the burette and the type of titrant, the piston head of the burette should be replaced at a minimum of once a year.  If your titrant is corrosive to glass or tends to form a precipitate like sodium hydroxide, you may also need to inspect the piston head and burette cylinder on a more frequent basis - i.e. weekly to prevent scoring of the glass.  If the glass becomes scored, you will not be awarded extra points, but instead additional leakage.

    Another tip is not to lubricate the inside of the burette cylinder.  Save the KY jelly for more appropriate uses such as…….well you know.  Applying a lubricant to the inside of the cylinder reduces the ability of the teflon piston head to seal properly as well as altering the volume of the cylinder itself.  Replace it rather than grease it!

    And what about all those tubes?  Are you keeping an eye on them?  Inspect the threads of the tubing joints for distortion and replace, not tape, if there are signs of excessive wear or cracks.  And be sure to check those tiny little o-rings; if they go bad the marriage of the tube joint to the burette cylinder could be annulled and become just as expensive as an ex-wife.

    Granted, the suggestions presented here involve both your time and possibly some of your company’s money, but a small investment now could save big bucks, a lot of time and a lengthy conversation with the boss later on.  Although conversations with the boss could be quite rewarding, especially during your annual review.  But don’t put off reviewing the integrity of your titrator’s delivery system.  Periodic checks are necessary for healthy titrator performance.

    Should these words of wisdom fall upon deaf ears, or blind eyes if you’re reading this, and your titrator experiences a leak resulting in malfunction of the titrator, then give us a call.   

        At  K2 Analytical, we’re always listening!