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Effective Use of Laboratory Equipment and Facilities in Pure & Applied Chemistry

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

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Effective Use of Laboratory Equipment and Facilities in Pure & Applied Chemistry

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  1. Effective Use of Laboratory Equipment and Facilities in Pure & Applied Chemistry

  2. 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 ICP-MS and consolidate existing equipment • But where to put them………

  3. Old Microanalysis Laboratory circa 1962

  4. Old Microanalysis Laboratory circa 1962

  5. Old Mass Spectrometry Laboratory

  6. 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

  7. An under utilised area was identifiedIt was 165m2, roughly 35% reduction

  8. But it was in need of some major TLC

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. Energy usage

  12. And turned it into this Office Area Fumecupboard Room PrepAreas

  13. As existing

  14. 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 re-used • An existing double distillation unit was replaced by a new unit, which was less energy hungry

  15. Innovations utilised • Very specific LEV • Separate plant area for large Nitrogen generator • Separate Fumecupboard room • Easy access to instruments

  16. 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 ………

  17. 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

  18. 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)

  19. Many Thanks for Listening

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