AGC Opens Brine and Membrane Testing Lab for Chlor-Alkali Producers
EXTON, Pa., February 7, 2018 - AGC Chemicals Americas has opened a testing lab to analyze brine and raw salt and to complete extractions from used membranes. Chemistry experts at the lab also can prepare samples, conduct specialized tests and assist with history and recordkeeping for chlor-alkali producers. The 600-square-foot lab is based at AGC's headquarters in Exton, Pennsylvania.
New laboratory tools include inductively coupled plasma, which detects impurities such as calcium, magnesium, strontium, aluminum, silicon, iron, nickel, barium, phosphorus, copper and manganese. Ion chromatography, which measures the levels of sulfate, chlorate and iodine. Total organic carbon, which indicates the amount of organic carbon in a sample and is often used when determining water quality. And an auto titrator, which calculates the concentration of salt in brine solutions.
"Our lab lets our chlor-alkali producers compare our testing results to theirs to check data accuracy," said Craig Long, business manager for FLEMION® membranes at AGC. "Results from tests like an AGC Impurity Analysis can help track historical performance or provide a benchmark with other sanitized data."
AGC’s commitment to advancing the chlor-alkali industry includes producing FLEMION ion exchange membranes to produce caustic soda/caustic potash in electrolysis plants. FLEMION membranes require less electrical current to decompose the purified brine; minimize the influence of brine impurities; and enable manufacturers to maintain 97-98% electrical current efficiency.
About AGC Chemicals Americas Inc.
AGC Chemicals Americas Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Asahi Glass Company Ltd., a $11 billion multinational corporation and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of glass, electronic displays and chemical products. The company was formed in 2004 through the merging of sister companies Asahi Glass Fluoropolymers USA and AGA Chemicals. Headquartered in Exton, Pa., AGC Chemicals Americas maintains manufacturing operations in nearby Thorndale, Pa., and warehouses located throughout North America. www.agcchem.com
