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Chloridometer (Buchler Instruments)

Zoology

2016.zoo.4.1
Metal rectangular box which has been painted a cream colour. The two side panels have 3 vents. The back panel has 6 vents, and includes two switches and a space for the electrical cord. The front panel has control switches to adjust titrate and titration range, an on and off switch, a DC micro amperes display, a timer, and an area for the sample to be placed.

2016.zoo.4.2
Rectangular manual which was printed in a mint green colour. 60 page manual contains complete operating instructions, diagrams, formulas, and procedures for operating the Chloridometer.

Accession Number: 2016.zoo.4.1-2

Alternative Name:

Buchler-Cotlove Chloridometer Automatic Titrator

Primary Materials: Metal; Plastic; Paper

Markings:

2016.zoo.4.1
Front: “D.C. MICROAMPERES” “BUCHLER INSTRUMENTS” “MOD. 261 414-127RI” “ASSEMBLY PRODUCTS IN CHESTERLAND, OHIO” “BUCHLER-COTLOVE CHLORIDOMETER AUTOMATIC TITRATOR” “ADJUST TITRATE” “ON OFF” “BUCHLER INSTRUMENTS. INC. FORT LEE. N.J. U.S.A” “LO MED. HI TITRATION RANGE”

Back: “D BUTLER 403” “SPECIAL INSPECTION – SERIES T – APPROVED BY THE HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER COMM. OF ONT.” “DO NOT REMOVE THIS LABEL Ser. No. 10694 115V. A.C.

2016.zoo.4.2
Front: “BUCHLER INSTRUMENTS” “R’312 PHYSIOLOGY” “INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPERATION REGISTERED U.S. PAT. OFF.” “BUCHLER INSTRUMENTS DIVISION NUCLEAR-CHICAGO CORPORATION A SUBSIDARY OF G.D. SEARLE & CO. 1327 SIXTEENTH ST., FORT LEE NEW JERSEY 07024 U.S.A” “ISSUED: AUGUST 1969”

Back: “BUCHLER INSTRUMENTS” “PRINTED IN U.S.A” “750 FEBRUARY 1972”

Dimensions (cm):

BOX: height 22cm, length 40cm, width 22cm MANUAL width 22cm, length 28cm

Function:

From the “Instruction Manual”:
“The Buchler Cotlove Chloridometer is designed for accurate, rapid, and automatic analysis of chloride in biologic samples, by electrometric titration with silver ions. Titration times of 20 to 60 seconds per sample have a standard deviation of about 0.5 per cent of the mean value, and shorter times of about 5 seconds (minimum) per sample have only slightly greater variability. The method measures accurately concentrations as low as 0.25 mEq of chloride. The operation of the instrument is simple and cn be performed by personnel with limited clinical experience. Preparation of plasma, urine, or water extracts of tissue for titration requires only the addition of reagent.”

“The theory of the operation of the Chloridometer is based on established principles of coulometric generation of reagent and of amperometric indication of the end-point. A constant direct current is passed between a pair of silver generator electrodes in the generator (coulometric) circuit, causing release of silver ions into the titration solution at a constant rate. The end-point is indicated after all chloride has been precipitated, by the increasing concentration of of free silver ion which causes a rising current to flow through a pair of silver indicator electrodes and a Meter-Relay in the indicator (amperometric) circuit. At a preset increment of indicator current the relay is actuated, stopping a timer which runs concurrently with generation of silver ion. Since the rate of generation of silver ion is constant, the amount of chloride precipitation is proportional to the elapsed time.”

Condition:

2016.zoo.4.1
Fair condition. Signs of oxidization and tarnishing combined with scratches, residue, and staining.

2016.zoo.4.2
Good condition. Pages are beginning to show signs of aging and are visibly yellowing. Majority of the edges of the manual are torn. Fragile spine. Some pages have come apart from the spine.

Associated Instruments:

Manufacturer: BUCHLER INSTRUMENTS INC.

Date of Manufacture: JULY 1973

Provenance:

This chloridometer was part of the University of Toronto’s Zoology Department. It was purchased in July of 1973. It belonged to a Dr. Butler, who’s name has been inscribed on the top panel of the machine and labelled onto the rear of the machine.

Additional Information and References:

Serial Number on Chloridometer: 10694
Serial Number written on manual: 50500

Information provided in the user manual may be inaccurate due to a discrepancy in serial numbers. This manual may have belonged to another similar machine.

An original advertisement for the Buchler-Cotlove Chloridometer can be found online at: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ac60159a802

More information regarding the Buchler-Cotlove Chloridometer can be found online at: http://www.clinchem.org/content/18/3/285.full.pdf

Historical Notes:

Themes: