2.1.3.

Ultraviolet ray lamps for analytical purposes

EUROPEAN PHARMACOPOEIA 5.0

2.1. APPARATUS

01/2005:20102
01/2005:20101

2.1.1. DROPPERS
The term drops means standard drops delivered from a
standard dropper as described below.
Standard droppers (Figure 2.1.1-1) are constructed of
practically colourless glass. The lower extremity has a
circular orifice in a flat surface at right angles to the axis.

2.1.2. COMPARATIVE TABLE OF

POROSITY OF SINTERED-GLASS
FILTERS(1)
Table 2.1.2.-1
Porosity number
(Ph. Eur.) (2)

Maximum
diameter
of pores in
micrometres

Germany

France

United
Kingdom

1.6

less than 1.6

5f

1 - 2.5

1.6 - 4

4-6

10

4 - 10

4f

16

10 - 16

40

16 - 40

40 - 50

100

40 - 100

100 - 120

160

100 - 160

150 - 200

250

160 - 250

200 - 500

00

Special Uses
Diameters in micrometres
< 2.5

Bacteriological filtration

4 - 10

Ultra-fine filtration, separation of micro-organisms of large

diameter

10 - 40

Analytical filtration, very fine filtration of mercury, very fine

dispersion of gases

40 - 100

Fine filtration, filtration of mercury, fine dispersion of gases

100 - 160

Filtration of coarse materials, dispersion and washing of

gases, support for other filter materials

160 - 500

Filtration of very coarse materials, dispersion and washing

of gases.

01/2005:20103

Figure 2.1.1.-1. Standard dropper

Dimensions in millimetres
Other droppers may be used provided they comply with the
following test.
Twenty drops of water R at 20 1 C flowing freely from the
dropper held in the vertical position at a constant rate of one
drop per second weighs 1000 50 mg.

2.1.3. ULTRAVIOLET RAY LAMPS FOR

ANALYTICAL PURPOSES

Mercury vapour in quartz lamps is used as the source of

ultraviolet light. A suitable filter may be fitted to eliminate
the visible part of the spectrum emitted by the lamp. When
the Pharmacopoeia prescribes in a test the use of ultraviolet
light of wavelength 254 nm or 365 nm, an instrument
consisting of a mercury vapour lamp and a filter which gives
an emission band with maximum intensity at about 254 nm
or 365 nm is used. The lamp used should be capable of
The dropper must be carefully cleaned before use. Carry out revealing without doubt a standard spot of sodium salicylate
with a diameter of about 5 mm on a support of silica gel G R,
three determinations on any given dropper. No result may
deviate by more than 5 per cent from the mean of the three the spot being examined while in a position normal to the
radiation.
determinations.

(1) The given limits are only approximate.

(2) The European Pharmacopoeia has adopted the system proposed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

General Notices (1) apply to all monographs and other texts

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