Transcript Alaine Martin - Strathclyde's Trace Analysis Lab

Effective Use of Laboratory
Equipment and Facilities in
Pure & Applied Chemistry
The Project and the history behind it
• The Department had been bequeathed a sum of money and
consecutively the University also donated a substantial sum for new
instrumentation
• A decision was made to enhance our already existing analytical
services by the purchase of new Mass Spectrometers and an ICPMS and consolidate existing equipment
• But where to put them………
Old Microanalysis Laboratory circa 1962
Old Microanalysis Laboratory circa 1962
Old Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
What criteria did we have to meet
• The University was keen to make better use of
space and wished to reduce overall space by 40%
and Departments were encouraged to do so.
• The original space occupied by the two existing
labs, prep areas and offices amounted to 250m2,
so the hunt was on for a space around 150m2
• We wanted it to be as energy efficient as possible
An under utilised area was identified
It was 165m2, roughly 35% reduction
But it was in need of some major TLC
So how did we achieve this
• We prepared a “Statement of Need” asking for funds to
complete the refurbishment
• £500,000 granted and a Design Team appointed
• Established a team, within PAC to evaluate new
instrumentation
• Consisted of Prof Jonathan Percy, Ms Pat Keating & Ms
Denise Gilmour
• Prepared a “brief” for our laboratory requirements
• It had to be temperature controlled, bright, user friendly,
adaptable and have lots of storage
What challenges did we face
• We had many instruments,
pumps and a Nitrogen
generator all giving out heat to
accommodate.
• We would also be installing
new instrumentation
• We required a fumecupboard
• We required the laboratory to
be at a constant temperature
24/7
• The laboratory was West
facing
• We needed to look at the gas
cylinder usage and reduce this
risk and design a flexible “fit for
purpose” system
Evaluated all possibilities and
gave information back to
Mechanical consultants
Positioning of fumecupboards
was important
We didn’t want it to “compete”
with the temperature controlled
environment of the main
laboratory
Windows had been replaced very
recently, so didn’t want to replace
these
Solar reflective film was used on
the windows
An evaluation and risk analysis
was carried out, halved the
number of cylinders in use and
created a very bespoke but
flexible system
Energy usage
Lab Temperature
23
22.5
22
21.5
21
20.5
20
Lab Temperature
And turned it into this
Office Area
Fumecupboard
Room
PrepAreas
As existing
Efficiencies deployed
• The existing fumecupboards were re-used,
one within the new lab and the other to
replace two much older cupboards
• The existing slate balance bench was reused
• An existing double distillation unit was
replaced by a new unit, which was less
energy hungry
Innovations utilised
• Very specific LEV
• Separate plant area for
large Nitrogen
generator
• Separate
Fumecupboard room
• Easy access to
instruments
Shared Facilities
• Who uses this area
• Undergraduates, PhD students, Staff all from Chemistry
• But as part of WESTChem, it’s used by Researchers from GU
as well.
• It’s also used by staff & students from within the Faculty of
Science & other Faculties within the University
• And we have contracts with other Universities and external
agencies
• But, it doesn’t come free, we charge them ………
Other PAC Facilities
• The Trace Analysis is not the only Facility we
share with the rest of the world.
• We have an NMR unit and an X-ray
Crystallography unit.
• All three offer a “hands on” experience or
offer a service where the sample is analysed
on your behalf
• You’ll see all three on the tour
Is it a success
• Don’t take my word for it
•
“The gas manifold and gases coming in on the gantry above the
instrumentation has allowed us to ‘future proof’ any instrument
positioning. Initial plans had contained the footprint of every instrument
we had or would potentially purchase. The lab is airy and spacious and
has a lot of natural light adding to the general working experience. New
users may not appreciate the work that went into the design of the lab
but having worked in the department for 32 years I applaud the fact that
the end users were consulted and, more importantly, listened to at
almost every stage of construction. “
• Pat Keating (Senior Technician)
Many Thanks for Listening