Analytical & Environmental Chemistry Division

I read an interesting article in the online magazine The Analytical Scientist by Dr Stuart Schroeder of InnoTech Alberta. It involves the online application of solution cathode glow discharge (SCGD) in a year-long pilot scale test, and is the culmination of a number of years of industry-funded R&D. It is claimed that SCGD with its inherent simplicity will eventually replace ICP, and it is great to see this technique at such an advanced state that it is out of the lab and into the plant. As a former process and quality control chemist, I've always regarded results from lab bench analysis as ancient history, and applaud efforts to get analysis happening where the action is, so that rectification of out of control process control parameters can be effected as quickly as possible. There are also applications for online monitoring a range of elements in mine and process water runoffs, as well as in natural waters.

As an aside, I was attracted to the article when I recognised the author's name. Stuart Schroeder was the first customer of our little Brisbane-based instrument company Multitrator back in 2000. We made an automated multi-mode titration system featuring thermometric endpoint titrimetry (TET). Stuart was kind enough to say that our TET titration of sulfate was a game-changer for his company.