< Previousbmta.co.uk 20 multi-gas systems – its BenchTOF2 instrument can be run on all three gases. These developments enable the whole analytical process to be multi-gas-enabled and switching is simple. Not only is this convenient for analysts during helium shortages, using hydrogen means it is also better for the environment. Helium needs to be extracted, shipped and stored using specialist equipment, causing significant environmental impact. Hydrogen, on the other hand, is simple to generate using just water and electricity. Switching from helium to hydrogen saves up to 90% per cylinder. Further, purchasing an in-house hydrogen generator eliminates the need for cylinder deliveries, significantly reducing a laboratory’s costs and carbon footprint. Are there any drawbacks to using hydrogen when it comes to results? Research has shown that hydrogen promises shorter analytical cycle times and faster sample throughput than helium, and an investigation was carried out to determine if hydrogen would affect the results of an analysis. 4 The research team analysed a sample of known composition, containing 16 polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), using thermal desorption followed by GC–MS. Figure 2 shows the resulting chromatograms. As can be seen, all 16 compounds were detected using both helium and hydrogen as a carrier gas, proving that, in this case, the results were not affected by switching to hydrogen. Also, the analysis time was 30% less with hydrogen. Figure 1: The TD100-xr, one of Markes International’s multi-gas-enabled thermal desorption instruments (left) and SepSolve Analytical’s BenchTOF2 mass spectrometer (right). bmta.co.uk 21 Figure 2: Polyaromatic hydrocarbon standard consisting of 16 compounds (10 ng/µL) analysed in 21 minutes using helium carrier gas (top) and in 14 minutes using hydrogen carrier gas (bottom) with comparable GC resolution Conclusion Switching from helium to hydrogen carrier gas protects laboratories against future helium shortages and is more sustainable because high-purity hydrogen can be generated from water. Hydrogen offers faster chromatographic separations, shorter thermal desorption methods and lower-temperature separations than helium, increasing laboratory throughput, extending consumables’ lifetimes and extending maintenance intervals. Finally, switching from helium to hydrogen saves up to 90% per cylinder and a hydrogen generator eliminates the costs of cylinders. References 1. https://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/helium-shortage-geology-feature-08082020/ 2. https://www.aps.org/policy/reports/popa-reports/upload/HeliumReport.pdf 3. https://www.peakscientific.com/discover/articles/using-hydrogen-as-a-carrier-gas-for-gc/ 4. Markes International Application Note 156: Using hydrogen carrier gas to enhance TD–GC–MS methods for semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in air: an illustration with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bmta.co.uk UPGRADED FACILITY ENHANCES UK FLOW MEASUREMENT STANDARDS Dr. Carl Wordsworth, Head of Water Sector TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory 22 Accredited to ISO 17025, the facility’s enhanced digital capabilities offer automated data capture and calculation, as well as process control automation. NEL’s bespoke FlowStudio software enables asynchronous data capture from every instrument, as well as live uncertainty calculation by individual test points, stability monitoring and traceability management. In addition, NEL’s FlowStudio software acts as a test matrix interface that handshakes with the process control system. This allows it to automatically control pumps, valves, drives etc to achieve the required stability of flow, temperature and pressure, as well as quickly capture the test point to assess and move on to the next process condition. FlowStudio also provides an automated output table and traceability chain, which deliver much faster test programmes and eliminate the post-processing of data and certificate generation. TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory (NEL) has recently completed the upgrade of its water flow testing facility, funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as part of the UK’s national Flow Programme. The new facility will enable global water utility companies and meter manufacturers to assess flow meter performance more accurately, as part of their strategy to deliver more effective, economic and sustainable water management. bmta.co.uk 23 The new facility provides a calibration measurement uncertainty of 0.15 % (k=2) on mass flow against the reference meter alone and can be reduced further following planned improvements to the primary gravimetric system. Combined with a remote witnessing capability, NEL’s laboratories can provide a 24/7 operation and quicker turnaround of calibration services using a test rig audited by UKAS, the national body for the accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories. Carl Wordsworth, Head of Water Sector at TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory, said: “With the current drive for innovation and collaboration in the water industry, having a fully traceable and UKAS accredited water flow facility is incredibly important. The current Ofwat Innovation funding competitions also highlight how vital innovation and collaboration is becoming within the UK Water Industry. This new test facility allows the water industry supply chain the opportunity to test new products on a large-scale test facility which will help to drive innovation and support the UK to become a leader in the development of new technology for the global water industry.” Broader industry appeal NEL’s water flow testing facility is also relevant to other industries, such as oil and gas and clean fuels, due to the prevalence of using water as a substitute fluid for flow meter calibrations. One of the benefits of using water as an analogy for other fluids is that it has very stable properties with a high specific heat capacity, and it is low hazard. By matching the Reynolds number to the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces, water can be used to predict performance in a range of other fluids. For example, one area of comparison is water against liquid carbon dioxide, an important focus for carbon capture, utilisation and capture (CCUS). Water is also a relevant fluid for the oil and gas industry as ‘produced water’ is extracted alongside hydrocarbons from subsea wells, and its separation and re-injection, or discharge, forms an integral part of the processing strategy. National standards Not only does the facility offer customers the opportunity to certify the performance of their devices for technology development and flow research, it also ensures compliance with relevant legislation and industry regulation. NEL is the Designated Institute for Flow and Density Measurement, under contract from the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and part of the UK’s National Measurement System. It is therefore responsible for maintaining the UK’s physical flow measurement standards and, as flow meter technologies are constantly enhanced, it is essential that the uncertainty of the Primary Physical National Flow Standard is sufficiently low enough to validate the performance of new flow meters. NEL’s latest facility upgrade investment, combined with the planned upgrade to the primary gravimetric standard, will improve uncertainty by roughly an order of magnitude, ensuring that the water flow national standard is far enough advanced to stay ahead of industry and societal needs.bmta.co.uk 24 The facility allows manufacturers and operators to assess a wide variety of instruments and flow meters such as electromagnetic, ultrasonic and Coriolis mass meters. It has two separate flow lines, covering a wide range of flow rates from 0.1 l/s to 350 l/s. The test sections can be constructed to offer long straight lengths upstream or, if necessary, specific configurations designed to replicate actual installations. Pipework bends and instrument penetrations into the flow can introduce swirl or an un-even flow profile, which can cause measurement inaccuracy with some meters. NEL, therefore, uses flow conditioner plates to ensure that any unusual flow behaviour is eliminated by evening out the profile to present a symmetrical fully developed turbulent flow at the meter. This ensures that customers have confidence that the flow is fully conditioned. The re-build is part of a wider programme to refurbish existing flow measurement standards at NEL’s laboratory to address the future needs of flow measurement in the UK. About TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory www.tuvsud.com/en-gb/nel The company is a global centre of excellence for flow measurement and fluid flow systems and is the UK’s Designated Institute for Flow and Density Measurement, with responsibility for providing the UK’s physical flow and density measurement standards. bmta.co.uk 25 If you are reading this newsletter and would like to become a member of the BMTA, please send an email to enquiries@bmta.co.uk, requesting a membership application pack. Enquiries about associate and individual membership should also be addressed to enquiries@bmta.co.uk. Membership of the Association is open to all organisations in the measurement, testing and calibration industry. We encourage senior people in organisations to become individual members, and organisations to become corporate members. BECOME A MEMBER Our membership fees are based on the size of your organisation making it affordable to the smallest company. Corporate membership starts from just £263 + VAT. Please enquire for individual membership subscriptions. DEDICATED TRADE LISTING Build your brand credibility and trust from our dedicated trade listing. KEEP YOUR FINGER ON THE PULSE Help your business stay ahead of the game by receiving full access to the regular updates on the latest industry news and information. INFORMATION AND INSIGHT Access to surveys, reports, forecasts, market information, whitepapers and the latest guidelines that may impact upon your business and industry. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES Share ideas, ask questions and play a role in determining changes and new processes in the industry. Continue your education and development with seminars, workshops and classes to help you learn and grow in your profession. BECOME AN ACTIVE MEMBER Have the potential to influence legislation that affects the industry and help lobby lawmakers and sway public opinion more positively. 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BSI DEVELOPMENT NOTICES AND COMMITTEE ACCESS Get the opportunity to represent us on BSI technical committees that you might not otherwise have access to. By giving you an insight into future changes that may impact your business, BMTA will encourage you to make your voice heard and your views known in the standards making process, both nationally and internationally. WHY JOIN? Here are some of the things BMTA can do for you: 2021 MEMBERSHIP FEES ARE: Associate (individual) - £126 + VAT Fewer than 7 employees or partners - £263 + VAT 8 - 24 employees or partners - £474 + VAT 25 - 250 employees or partners - £823 + VAT 250+ employees or partners - £1,043 + VAT An admin fee of £50 + VAT for all new joiners.bmta.co.uk SUSTAINABILITY AT 3M David Gurden-Williams, Product Stewardship Specialist, Corporate R&D, North Europe Region, 3M United Kingdom PLC 26 In recent years, 3M has committed to sustainability in ever-increasing amounts. 3M’s sustainability goals have now been aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals as summarised in the three pillars below. The three key goals for the company are (i) achieving carbon neutrality by 2050; (ii) reducing water use by 25% at its facilities; (iii) returning higher quality water to the environment after use in manufacturing operations. Science for CircularScience for ClimateScience for Community Achieved 100% Sustainability Value Commitment for new products achieving goal of 100% $87.9 investments in total global giving achieving goal of continuing to invest in global giving programs 470 completed supplier assessments maintaining goal Donated 35,200 skills- based work hours globally towards goal of 300,000 hours Continued participation in employee development programmes towards goal of 100% participation 16 manufacturing locations identified in water stress/scarce areas maintaining goal 42.9% (69 manufacturing facilities) zero landfill exceeding goal of 30% Improved energy efficiency by 8.54% indexed behind goal of 30% improvement Increased pipeline of diverse talent in managemet from 32.6% to 43.3% toward goal of doubling the pipeline Provided 1.66 million training instances eLearning platform toward goal of 5M training instances Reduced manufacturing waste by 9.98% indexed achieving goal of 10% reduction Increased water efficiency 0.00% indexed behind goal of 10% improvement Increased renewable energy 35.4% total electricity use toward goal of 50% increase Scope 1 and 2 emissions 71.1% below baseline ahead of goal of 50% below baseline Nearly 75 million metric tons CO 2 equivalent customer avoided emissions toward goal of 250 million metric tons towards goalbehind goalahead of goal Numbers reflect progress through 2020.Over the past year, 3M has engaged in sustainability activities around the world including: • becoming a patron sponsor of the UN global compact sustainable development goals (SDG) ambition aimed at helping companies integrate the UN SDG into core business objectives, and thereby advance sustainable impact and global progress against the goals. Ultimately, this will help companies take more ambitious business actions towards achieving the SDGs by 2030. 3Mers spanning Canada, the US, Europe, the Middle East and Africa will participate. • Supporting alternative energy sources, for example with 3M Wind Blade Protection Tape that can help protect the leading edge of wind turbine blades against weathering and harsh environments, ultimately enhancing reliability and improving the performance of wind turbines. 3M also offers a suite of technologies that are helping to power the production of lighter, more durable, energy-efficient electric vehicles. This portfolio includes adhesives and alternative solutions that can be used in place of heavier materials and required fastening methods like spot welding, rivets and bolts. For example, high-strength, low- density glass bubbles can enable weight reductions of up to 30% or more in many different materials. Making electric vehicles lighter, yet just as strong means less energy is required to propel the vehicle and their range is longer. 3M window film solutions can help with thermal management—rejecting solar energy and heat-producing infrared rays to reduce the stress on temperature control systems and lower overall energy consumption. • At the end of 2019, nearly a third of 3M’s total global electricity use was sourced from renewables, and at the start of 2021, all 3M Poland locations and 3M Canada’s head office in London, Ontario, joined our global headquarters in powering their facilities using 100% renewable sources. • 3M has been part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to advance circular economy since 2019 and is collaborating with fellow members to drive greater global impact. • 3M has supported The Recycling Partnership for more than four years, and in 2020, we provided the initial investment for its Recycling Inclusion Fund to advance recycling infrastructure and education, and research into the challenges that prevent a more equitable recycling system. • 3M was also an initial funder for Closed Loop Partners in 2014 and joined fellow founding investors to reinvest more than $54 million in 2020. More recently, 3M has co-funded projects like the US and Canada Recycling Infrastructure and Plastic Waste Map—a first-of-its-kind public tool highlighting and tracking the diversity of plastic waste as well as opportunities to recapture valuable plastics and re-incorporate them into the manufacturing supply chain. • 3M Canada became the first Canadian enterprise to be certified to ISO 50001 (Energy Management Systems) with Superior Energy Performance at Platinum Level. This certification, combined with other certifications and facility improvements, has delivered a 22% energy intensity improvement for the company and helped to lower the overall environmental impact. 3M has 45 ISO 50001 certified sites globally and 11 more will be certified by the end of 2021. • 3M joined Maxit and the German Ministry of Education and Research in 2013 to propose project funding that would allow the team to research using 3M Glass Bubbles in insulation and construction materials. bmta.co.uk 27bmta.co.uk 28 • 3M has joined the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC), taking one more step forward in its ongoing commitment to help the nearly two billion people worldwide living in water- stressed and water-scarce communities. By joining the WRC leadership committee and endorsing the United Nations Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate, 3M will be working to preserve the world’s freshwater resources and achieve a net positive water impact. It will also be better positioned to advance ongoing work to improve the environment and build a brighter future around the world. For example, 3M began working with the Juarez (Mexico) City Water Department in 2016 to receive treated wastewater for on-site services. In 2017, 80% of the total water consumed in three out of five buildings was treated or recycled water and in 2020, the site transitioned the remaining two buildings. The project expects to save 10 million litres (2.6 million gallons) of water. • 3M has been recognised with the Market Trailblazer Award from RE100, a global initiative bringing together the world’s most influential businesses committed to 100% renewable power. Building on the company’s global capabilities and diverse technologies, 3M products drive positive environmental impact around the world. Examples include: • Semiconductor and electronics: 3M products enable more efficient semiconductor manufacturing and improve the performance and lifespan of electronic devices, as we move toward a paperless world. • Recycled content and plant-based materials: 3M is helping expand the supply chain and demand for recycled materials by making products with post-consumer recycled content and leading plant-based material innovation in iconic everyday products like ScotchTape, Post-it Notes and Scotch-Brite Sponges. • Automotive electrification: 3M materials for assembling and light-weighting, like glass bubbles, are powering the next generation of vehicles and battery technologies, helping shed pounds per vehicle and enabling better overall fuel economy and battery range. • Energy-efficient buildings: 3M window film solutions help keep the heat out and the cool air in, making buildings more efficient and reducing the energy needed to heat and cool the places where people live and work. • Renewable energy: 3M films, tapes and adhesive technologies help solar panels capture more light, increasing efficiency, and help protect wind turbine blades against weathering and harsh environments, ultimately enhancing reliability, extending life, and improving performance. • Improving indoor air quality: 3M Filtrete Room Air Purifiers and heating and cooling solutions help capture airborne particles, including dust, lint, pet dander and bacteria, reducing indoor air pollutants and making homes and workplaces safer. • Extending the life of materials is the best way to reduce impact. As an innovation that gives new life to outdated fixtures, 3M DI-NOC Architectural Finishes are films that refurbish surfaces and keep them in use for longer. bmta.co.uk 29 • 3M Natural Pozzolans is a material that can be used as a partial replacement of cement in concrete. Cement is a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions, and for every ton of natural pozzolans used to displace cement, CO2 emissions can be reduced by an estimated 0.75 tons. • The 3M Medical Solutions Division (MSD) took on the challenge of reducing emissions associated with the use of medical tape adhesives. Since 1985, MSD has been working to develop products that use hot melt adhesives which don’t require solvents in their creation. With hot-melt adhesives, no solvent byproducts are created and solvent-based emissions are effectively eliminated. Today, most 3M medical tapes and dressings are manufactured without the use of solvents, using either hot melt or water-based adhesives instead. • 3M Smog-reducing Granules harness the power of the sun to turn roofing shingles into a pollution-fighting surface. When the sun hits the granules, the photocatalytic coating transforms the smog pollution (nitrogen oxides) into water-soluble ions that easily wash away with rain. • 3M Thinsulate 100% Recycled Featherless Insulation is made with 100% post- consumer recycled content and offers a more sustainable alternative to natural down. It is featured in what Minneapolis-based outerwear brand Askov Finlayson calls “the world’s first climate-positive winter parka.” • By repairing and servicing customers’ electronic devices, 3M’s Health Care Service Group (HCSG) keeps 300,000 devices in working order each year—advancing the circular economy by reducing electronic waste and extending the life of 3M products. With repair locations in 18 countries and connections with over 80 authorised service providers around the world, HCSG provides service and support for more than 50 different 3M health care products. • 3M Dual Brightness Enhancement Film is a family of reflective polarisers used to recycle light and bring a brighter view to all viewers in front of a device and can increase the energy efficiency in a device, whether it’s plugged in or running on battery power. “We look forward to sharing our continued progress and how we can work together to build a more sustainable and resilient world.” – Gayle Schueller, 3M Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer. In November 2021, at COP26 in Glasgow, 3M signed a three-year partnership with the UNFCCC, the UN forum for climate change who work collaboratively with governments, the private sector, foundations, international organisations, academia, NGOs, UN agencies and others. This is a clear demonstration of 3M’s ambition and leadership in ESG, specifically climate action. 3M is the only manufacturer invited to this partnership and this is based on 3M supporting the UN in bringing knowledge and solutions for the transition to net-zero. 3M will collaborate throughout the next three years with the UNFCC, including COP27 in Egypt and COP28 in Dubai. 3M, Scotch, Post-it, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Di-NOC and Thinsulate are trademarks or registered trademarks of the 3M Company. Next >