Author: R. Binns
RB/JMP
16 th February, 1984
VISIT OF DR. RICHARD BINNS TO
THE TECHNICAL CENTRE, ITLF CANADA
AND R,D & E, BROWN AND WILLIAMSON
23 rd to 27th January, 1984
FEB 1'8
d
..........
My previous visits to these laboratories had been
in
connection with biological research. This was my
first
opportunity to see the technical support
facilities and to
discuss such work in detail.
ITL CANADA
The laboratory in Montreal is strongly orientated
towards
support for plant operations (brand monitoring,
plant
monitoring, materials testing, etc.,) and product
development.
Large amounts of relatively routine work are
carried out
and the laboratories appear to be adequately
staffed and
equipped for this.
As a consequence of this concentration on
technical
support, relatively little work is possible on
longer term,
research activities.
PRODUCT MONITORING
Brand analysis and physical testing of cigarettes
are
carried out on roughly the same scale as in GR&DC.
Turnround
time for reporting is up to 7 weeks c.f. an
average of just
over 2 in Southampton. Problems associated with
establishing
the laboratory automation system presumably
contribute to
this. Much of the data preparation and reporting
is currently
done by hand. One objective should be to integrate
and
automate both data collection in the laboratory
and the production
of reports for 'customers'.
PHYSICAL TESTING OF CIGARETTES
As we do, ITL experience problems with the
assessment of
coal fall-out characteristics because the device
used at
present is very difficult to adjust. Details of
the micro-
adjuster developed at GR&DC will be sent to Canada
if it
proves successful.
LABORATORY AUTOMATION
It is disappointing that Canada has chosen to
adopt a
different approach to the proven modular concept
working in
CAL. Use of a central computer (HP1000), rather
than micros,
contracting the work to a 'distant' consultant and
lack of
awareness of the problems at B&W have combined to
produce a
difficult and costly technical project.
C=)
co
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BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 9
November 1999


TRIACETIN IN FILTER RODS
An improved version of this machine has been
developed
by Gatan Levert. The automated system gives a
value for
triacetin level in filter rods after a 5 minute
extraction
and IR analysis. This model is ready for routine
use and
presumably supersedes the GR&DC experimental model
reported
in 1982. Estimated cost $12,000.
PROPOSED MEETING ON LABORATORY METHODS
Interest from ITL centred on those topics which
could be
obviously related to the operational needs of the
Canadian
company. Thus, topics such as robotics, laboratory
automation
and improved autoanalyser systems were supported
as being of
considerable interest. Less immediate need was
seen for
information or discussion on topics such as
sidestream
monitoring or ambient monitoring. Nevertheless
there was a
perceived need for research on these issues and
for ITL to
have an up-to-date awareness of work in progress.
W
C_\
BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 9
November 1999