Chemistry laboratory

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Alchemical Laboratory 1595
Chemical research laboratory in Darmstadt 1936
Laboratory table, in the background laboratory shelves with reagents
Laboratory reagents in a chemistry laboratory pantry
Experimental apparatus in the gas exhaust of a chemistry laboratory

Chemical laboratory (from chemistry and Latin laboratorium 'work room') is the collective term for the rooms in which chemical work (on a non- industrial scale, see technical center or large-scale production ) is carried out. As a rule, the equipment and construction of the chemistry laboratory is precisely tailored to the respective use and equipped with the laboratory equipment required for chemical work processes .

In many chemical laboratories, special chemical-resistant floors are installed and the furniture is tailored to the requirements for handling hazardous substances . As a rule, a chemistry laboratory has workplaces with special air extraction systems (called digestorium or gas extraction ). In special laboratories there is a permanent negative pressure so that no gases or dusts can leave the laboratory uncontrolled via joints, windows or doors.

In addition to shelves and cupboards with laboratory reagents (partly hazardous substances), laboratories also have measuring devices , laboratory equipment for converting substances and safety devices for emergencies (emergency stop button, fire extinguisher, fire blanket, eye and personal shower), supply and disposal facilities.

So is z. B. as a rule, an emergency shower is available to clean of splashed, caustic or hot chemicals, if necessary, or at least to quickly dilute or cool them. There is also first aid equipment adapted to the work , for example with an eye wash .

In everyday work, a (usually white) coat made of cotton fabric is usually worn over normal clothing ( synthetic fiber fabric melts when burned). Shoes or slippers usually have a closed toe cap to prevent chemical burns from any hazardous substances that may drip off. Dangerous work is carried out with additional protective equipment (protective gown, protective goggles or visor, if necessary protective gloves, safety shoes, respiratory protection), eating, drinking and smoking in the workplace chemical laboratory is prohibited.

In chemistry laboratories, specific laboratory jargon has been developed for certain activities and terms .

Activities in the chemistry laboratory

In chemical laboratories, substances are produced ( synthesis , preparations ), examined ( quality control , materials analyzed ) and production processes are monitored as a result.

For this purpose, mixtures of substances are separated (by distillation , filtration and similar processes, including in the cation separation process ), substances are detected ( detection reaction , analysis ) and chemical reactions and measurements are carried out.

Working in the chemistry laboratory

Chemical laboratories of research and production enterprises , educational and training establishments and testing laboratories working chemistry laboratory technicians , chemical-technical assistants (CTA), chemical technicians , production professionals chemistry (chemical plant young workers) as well as paint and biology laboratory technicians, environmental assistants and a Ph.D. chemist .

Facilities and equipment in the chemistry laboratory

A gas extractor in a chemistry laboratory is understood to mean, for example, a workplace that can be completely closed off with a height-adjustable front window ( digestorium ) and in which, in a simple case, vapors and gases can be extracted from the work area similar to a kitchen extractor hood using a ceiling extraction system. In more complex systems, different air flows are used, for example directly behind the windshield, in order to prevent the escape of gases, vapors or other hazardous substances through access. In modern sterile fume cupboards, various extraction systems, such as laminar flows, are combined with conventional extraction on the front and the ceiling.

literature

  • Michael Wächter: chemistry laboratory. Introduction to laboratory practice. 1st edition. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim 2011, ISBN 978-3-527-32996-0 (For first-year chemistry students at universities and technical colleges, for trainees as chemical-technical assistants, CTA, chemical laboratory technicians, etc.)
  • Peter Brackmann, Astrid Grote-Wolff a. a .: Chemical expertise 1: Core qualifications for laboratory professions. 1st edition. Europa-Verlag, Haan-Gruiten 2011, ISBN 978-3-8085-6991-7 (for trainees as chemical laboratory technicians and similar laboratory professions)
  • Michael Wächter: Book of tables of chemistry. Data on analysis, laboratory practice and theory. 1st edition. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim 2012, ISBN 978-3-527-32960-1 (data collection for use when working in chemical and analytical laboratories)
  • S. Eckhardt, W. Gottwald, B. Stieglitz: 1 × 1 of laboratory practice. Process-oriented laboratory technology for studies and vocational training. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim 2007, ISBN 978-3-527-31657-1 (Introduction to laboratory practice for chemical laboratory technician training)

(For more books about the chemistry laboratory and examples of textbooks that are suitable for laboratory and theory lessons in chemistry, see under chemistry lessons .)

See also

Web links

Wiktionary: Chemielabor  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations
Wiktionary: Labor  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations
Commons : Laboratory  album with pictures, videos and audio files