Gas Collection Bags capture and contain malodorous waste.

Press Release Summary:




Offered as gas collection method for human, biological, and industrial waste environments, Sumo-Bag(TM) is designed to transport malodorous, higher polar, semi-volatile compounds such as p-Cresol. Construction consists of metalized Teflon® fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) film and valve with septum. Typically air-sampling pump is used to pump air through Teflon® tubing, which has needle attached to one end so it can be inserted through valve's septum top.



Original Press Release:



Microanalytics Launches Sumo-Bag(TM), Improved Gas Collection Method for Malodorous Waste



Round Rock, TX (June 24, 2008) -Microanalytics(TM), a subsidiary of MOCON (NASDAQ: MOCO), has developed a new, improved gas collection method for a variety of human, biological and industrial waste environments. The company's new Sumo-Bag(TM) provides a more effective way to transport malodorous higher polar, semi-volatile compounds such as p-Cresol.

Currently, the two most commonly used gas collection methods are Tedlar® polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) bags and Summa Canisters. Collecting and analyzing malodorous compounds is the first step to elimination. The ability to transport the gases to the lab in the shortest amount of time with the minimum amount of loss is critical.

"Our studies show that the recovery of p-Cresol using a Tedlar Bag is 20% to 27% of the original sample. The loss occurs within the first hour of exposure. Combining this loss with the inherent background odors present in the Tedlar film, especially phenolic compounds, makes the detection of low levels of semi-volatile compounds very difficult to impossible using this collection method," explains Fred Kuhrt, operations manager, Microanalytics.

The other commonly used collection method-Summa Canisters-has a high cost impact. Each polished stainless steel canister costs several hundred dollars and anywhere from 5 to 20 are typically used for each field test. Weight and transport can also be an issue.

Microanalytics(TM) Sumo-Bag(TM) has been engineered to overcome both performance and cost-efficiency shortfalls of existing technology. It is made from metalized Teflon® fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) film. Teflon FEP, coupled with the barrier properties offered by the metalized foil, make it an ideal structure to prevent gasses from migrating in or out of the structure.

Similar to the Tedlar bag, the Sumo-Bag(TM) also features a valve with a septum. Typically an air-sampling pump is used to pump the air through Teflon tubing. The tubing has a needle attached to one end so that it can be inserted through the valve's septum top.

Ideal applications for the technology would be a variety of waste situations ranging from animal feed operations (poultry, cattle, swine, etc.); industrial waste (refuse, stack emissions, etc.); human waste (diapers, sewage, filtration plants, etc.) and any other environment emitting high polar compounds.

In addition to offering the Sumo-Bag(TM) to assist in collection requirements, Microanalytics(TM) is also known for the development of the AromaTrax® GCMS-Olfactometry Systems. Combined with the human nose, AromaTrax® provides an accurate and efficient way to characterize and identify critical odors.

Identifying the compounds that are causing malodors speeds the development of effective processing strategies for their removal. Typically, the company is contracted to identify the source of offending odors in a variety of products and situations and offers solutions to contain or neutralized them.

Microanalytics(TM) was founded in 1992 and has a proven track record in solving quality control issues for a variety of products due to flavors, aromas and odors. The company is dedicated to the continued improvement of practical sensory analysis. For more information: www.mdgc.com.

MOCON is a leading provider of instrumentation and consulting and laboratory services to medical, pharmaceutical, food and other industries worldwide. For more information: www.mocon.com.

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