Vitens Laboratorium in Leeuwarden, Holland required a 'lights out' laboratory that analysed water samples taken in the field that day. The system runs unattended overnight with results ready first thing in the morning. Samples are collected during the day by sample takers, the details of which are transmitted remotely by GPRS telecommunications to the LIMS database so the system knows what samples will be arriving. The sample takers dump the bottles onto a conveyor throughout the night and leave. From hereon in the bottles are handled, tracked analysed and disposed of automatically.
The bottles and samples have the following checks and analyses performed
The bottle is checked for damage and contents (imaging and weight)
The bottle is registered into the system and is transported to appropriate analysers or stores
pH, Turbidity, Titrations, colour/UV, conductivity are analyses carried out
Aliquots are analysed on-line using an Aquakem analyser
Samples are tested for dissolved metals using ICP/MS
Aliquots are taken for off-line measurements and their data is stored and transferred to appropriate analysers
Samples are prepared for automatic colony counting
Samples are transported to and stored in various chillers for subsequent tests
Main Features
Over 2000 bottles are handled each night
Over 16000 tests are carried out
Capacity has doubled with the same number of personnel
Vitens Laboratorium in Leeuwarden, Holland required a 'lights out' laboratory that analysed water samples taken in the field that day. The system runs unattended overnight with results ready first thing in the morning. Samples are collected during the day by sample takers, the details of which are transmitted remotely by GPRS telecommunications to the LIMS database so the system knows what samples will be arriving. The sample takers dump the bottles onto a conveyor throughout the night and leave. From hereon in the bottles are handled, tracked analysed and disposed of automatically.
