Basic HTML Version
48
Annual Report 2013 www.recope.com
Quality Control
Testing accreditation and certification:
New assays are incorporated into the accreditation
process, such as determination of octane in gasoline,
quantification of mercaptans in LPG, for safety
aspects for the client, measurement of the degree of
penetration of asphalt and analysis of sulfur in diesel
for all laboratories.
An assay that is particularly important in
terms of safety is the determination of ethyl mercaptan
odorant in LP gas (mixture of propane and butane). By
their nature, liquefied propane and butane gas are
odorless and colorless, which makes it completely
undetectable to the human senses of smell and sight.
In case of leaks, it could become a potential danger to
consumers of this product. By adding a odor causing
substance, such as ethyl mercaptan to the LP gas
mixture, a characteristic odor, popularly associated
with“rotten eggs”, is created; this is due to the presence
of sulfur compounds that cause bad odors, which is
extremely helpful in case of leaks.
Regarding the analysis of sulfur in diesel, during
the year 2013 staff was hired and a sulfur analyzer by RX was
purchased for the laboratory in La Garita, which will extend
during the year 2014 to the laboratories in El Alto and Barranca.
Improvement projects
1. Automation:
Software was acquired which allows
more control and integration of the information generated by
the analysis devices, printing of final reports, and presenting
the certificates on the Internet, integrated with the ERP-SAP
system. This purchase was executed during the year 2013 and
system configuration started during the month of October
in the Quality Control Laboratory in El Alto de Ochomogo
terminal. This project is expected to be completed by the
second semester of the year 2014.
The automation process for the laboratories with the
LIMS software started in El Alto terminal, with the intention of
expanding to the remaining laboratories. It is currently under
the configuration phase.
2. Constructionandexpansionof the laboratories:
Construction of the new facilities for La Garita laboratory was
finished and the specifications were defined for the new
building for the Quality Control Laboratory in El Alto and for