How do you use A&D’s analytical balances?

Kawano: We use the A&D balances to check the amount of oil that can be extracted from algae. An organic solvent extract of Chlorella is put in a special aluminum container and evaporated. The residue left in the container after evaporation is oil. High precision balances are needed to measure how much oil can be extracted from milligram chlorella samples.

Takeshita: Since weighing with a balance itself is a simple task, I initially thought that we could do without too much trouble. However, we had problems with weighing values differing between people and throughout the week.

Kawano: To resolve our dilemma, A&D’s sales reps came to the laboratory to help us. We were told it is important to create a stable measurement environment in order to increase the reproducibility of the weighing value, taking into consideration temperature, humidity and breezes from the air conditioner. The environment in the room where the balance is set up is essential for precise measurement. We found a room with little movement of air. Properly warming up the balance also helped our measurements. We wait 1 hour after turning on the balance before measuring.

Special aluminum container, The container on the right has oil remaining after drying

Takeshita: The AD-1691 weighing environment analyzer that connects to the balance was also very helpful. Thanks to this device we could process repeatability measurements automatically. The touch screen makes operation easy and data comes out instantly instead of requiring input to a computer so experiments are completed quickly.

Kawano: We now have virtually no variation in the measured values. With the AD-1691 the operators can manage the balance themselves and have improved their technical skills.