Octapol® FAQ
What is Octapol®?
Octapol® is a multi-component chemical reagent developed at Baddley Chemicals Inc. in 1998 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the clarification of sucrose-containing materials prior to polarimetric analysis. The name was chosen by Baddley Chemicals Inc. based on the number of chemicals in the powdered mixture, and also because of its use in polarization (“pol”) measurements of sucrose-containing samples. Field testing was carried out in factories and institutes in several countries (USA, Guatemala, Brazil) before being presented for sale in commerce. The name Octapol® and Octapol Plus® are Registered Trademarks owned by Baddley Chemicals Inc.
What is Octapol RED®?
This reagent is similar to Octapol®, with a slightly slower filtration rate.
Why does the Sugar Industry need another Clarifying Reagent?
Lead Subacetate and other Lead chemicals have worked fine in sugar mills for over a hundred years. Technically speaking, Lead Subacetate is an excellent clarifier for the Sugar Industry. However, because of the dangers that toxic Lead Chemicals pose to (a) the health of the sugar technologists and laboratory personnel (who breathe the lead dust day after day and year after year) and (b) the damage to the environment, many countries now have laws to prohibit and/or discourage lead usage. It is now known that Lead is one of the most hazardous toxic metals because the poison is CUMULATIVE, and its toxic effects are many and severe. Ingesting a small amount of a lead chemical the size of a person’s fingernail can kill. (Since the poison is cumulative, breathing the over a longer period of time can likewise death.) Nausea and vomiting are followed by convulsions, coma, and finally death. Even in small amounts, lead can cause big trouble. The body takes four to six weeks to rid soft body tissues of the metal after it is ingested. It can take up to 30 years for lead to leave the bones. Lead can damage the brain, liver, and kidneys. The symptoms of lead poisoning are many and varied. Lead interferes with the production of red blood cells which leads to anemia. Lead strips the myelin coating from nerves, causing weakness in the hands and feet. Even very tiny amounts can cause high blood pressure.
What are the benefits of Octapol® over traditional Lead Subacetate?
Octapol® contains none of the harmful or toxic chemicals or heavy metals present in Lead Subacetate.
Octapol’s® Pol readings have been shown very similar to, if not better than those of Lead Subacetate.
How does Octapol® perform compared to other clarifying reagents?
Octapol® has been shown to offer faster clarification and uses less reagent per sample compared to other clarifying reagents.
For best results Rudolph recommends its AutoPol 880 Automatic Saccharimeter and Refractometer for use with the Octapol® Clarifying Reagent
What types of samples can Octapol® be used for?
Octapol® can be used for samples from both Sugarcane and Sugar Beets
What is Octapol® used for in a Sugarcane Factory?
It is used for all product streams, including Core Lab Juices, Mill Juice, Clarified Juice and Filtrate, Bagasse, Filter Cake, Syrup, Massecuite, Molasses, and Raw Sugar.
What is Octapol® used for in a Sugar Refinery?
It is used for all liquors, syrups, and molasses samples.
Can Octapol® be used in Sugarbeet Factories?
Yes, it can be used for analysis of various product streams, including High Green, High Raw Pan, High Raw Massecuite, Low Green, Low Raw Pan, High Raw Massecuite, Low Green, Low Raw Pan, and Molasses.
Is Octapol® a single chemical, like Lead Subacetate, or is it a mixture of chemicals?
No, it is not a single chemical. It is a mixture of eight chemicals, each one in the formulation being chosen for a specific purpose.
What is the exact composition of Octapol®?
The information is proprietary.
Are any of the chemicals in Octapol® classified as toxic?
No, none of the chemicals is toxic
What is the classification of Octapol®?
Octapol® is a Non-Hazardous / Non-Toxic Laboratory Reagent
HS Code 3822.19.0000.
See the SDS for additional details.
What about the pol readings with Octapol®?
Pol readings are very slightly different from those using Lead Subacetate.
Is special equipment required in the laboratory to use Octapol®?
No special equipment is required, though to assist with mixing in the activator prior to use Rudolph Research Analytical does offer an automatic mixer.
How is Octapol® packaged?
It is packaged in a convenient laboratory size of 1.5 kg in a poly bottle. The ACTIVATOR is contained in a small plastic bag hanging in the bottle. After mixing the Activator with the bulk material in the bottle, the resulting quantity of 1500 grams is enough clarifier to use for 200 to 300 juice tests. (The quantity required for one test depends of course on the type of sugar-bearing material being tested, juice quality, etc. However, one can assume that approximately 5 to 10 grams of OCTAPOL® will be required per test).
How may Octapol® be purchased?
Octapol® is available exclusively from Rudolph Research Analytical by contacting info@rudolphresearch.com or calling 973-584-1558. If you need information regarding availability of a distributor in your country, we can supply that information.
What is the shelf life of Octapol®?
Octapol® is Shelf-Stable indefinitely in its un-activated state.
Octapol® should be stored in a cool place and kept away from moisture.
After activation, it should be used within a few days if possible, and preferably before 30 days. The reason for this is that the clarifying ability of the activated mixture deteriorated with time.
How should I dispose of Octapol®?
As Octapol® is Biodegradable, Non-Toxic, and Non-Hazardous there is no official rule on disposal, only that you follow all local regulations.
Note that after use, Octapol® is mixed with a sugar solution and many countries do have rules on the disposal of sugar solutions in drains and the like.
Are Safety Data Sheets (SDS) available?
Yes, Octapol® SDS Sheet and SDS Sheet Octapol® Red
Are we looking for a distributors?
Rudolph Research Analytical is not assigning distribution exclusivity for Octapol® at this time, though we do offer discounts on higher quantity orders.
Large orders may lead to distribution agreements.
Please contact our Territory Sales Representatives for details.
Julio Dominguez – Latin America, Southern America, Iberian Peninsula
JDominguez@rudolphresearch.com
Peter Marriott – Greater Europe, Russia, Middle East, and Africa
PMarriott@rudolphresearch.com
Steve Pham – South East United States
Steve.Pham@rudolphresearch.com
Bill Orlando – North East United States
BOrlando@rudolphresearch.com
Dave Oehler – Mid-West United States
DOehler@rudolphresearch.com
ADDENDUM: Warranties, Liability and Remedies (April 8, 2020)
Rudolph Research Analytical, Inc (Seller) warrants that its products will correspond (within tolerances specifically stated or established by usage or trade custom) with the specifications set forth in the Certificate of Analysis for the particular lot.
The above warranty is given by Seller and subject to the following Conditions:
-
Seller shall have no liability in respect of any defect in its products arising from any drawing, design or specification supplied by the Buyer;
-
Seller shall have no liability in respect of any defect arising from willful damage, negligence, failure to follow Seller’s instructions (whether oral or in writing), misuse or alteration of its products without Seller’s approval;
-
Seller shall have no liability under the above warranty (or any other warranty, condition or guarantee) if the total price for the products has not been paid by the due date for payment;
-
The above warranty does not extend to any technical advice or recommendation provided by Seller to Buyer as to the storage, application or use of the products, whether provided verbally or in writing; and
-
The above warranty does not extend to parts or materials not manufactured by Seller, in which case Buyer shall only be entitled to the benefit of any such warranty or guarantee as is given by the manufacturer to Seller.
Subject to these Conditions, all warranties, conditions or other terms implied by statute or common law are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. Where any valid claim in respect of any of the products which is based on any defect in the quality or condition of the products or their failure to meet the specifications set forth on the technical data sheet shipped with the product is made to Seller in writing, Seller shall, at its sole discretion, replace the products (or the part in question) free of charge or refund to Buyer the price of the products (or a proportionate part of the price, as applicable); however, Seller shall have no further liability to Buyer. All information contained in the technical data sheet is based on data believed to be reliable but, Seller makes no warranties, express or implied as to its accuracy and assumes no liability arising out of its use.
SPANISH TRANSLATION
