Orono Spectral Solutions Receives Approval from US Department of Transportation for New Water in Ammonia Testing Using ClearShot™ Technology

Bangor, ME, September 1, 2017 – Orono Spectral Solutions (OSS), a global provider of advanced chemical sampling materials and novel analytical methods, announced today that the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued an approval for companies to use their ClearShot™ technology as a faster, safer and more accurate method to determine water content in anhydrous ammonia – a DOT regulated measurement to ensure shipping safety. Anhydrous ammonia is one of the most prominent fertilizer, refrigeration, and manufacturing commodities in the world. This new method offers many benefits to anhydrous ammonia manufacturers and their customers, allowing them to increase profits and enhance product quality while improving safety.

Roland Sirois, OSS Chief Executive Officer, stated, “OSS worked closely with key anhydrous ammonia manufacturing organizations to develop an alternative test method using ClearShot™ technology that is a major improvement in operator safety and process testing capabilities.” The method was developed using OSS proprietary technology in conjunction with a wide number of anhydrous ammonia manufacturing laboratory personnel in a highly collaborative effort.

“In the development of this new method, OSS responded to industry requests to improve upon a time consuming and outdated method that plagued the industry with fiscal and safety drawbacks. The new test method using ClearShot™ technology, requiring only 20 minutes to generate a result, is an alternative method to the current process that requires several hours to perform,” said Dean Smith, OSS Vice President of Engineering. “This new method, which is based on Green Chemistry principles, gives a manufacturer the ability to quickly and accurately issue a Certificate of Analysis for water content for each shipment and will help production facilities operate with maximum efficiency and at higher profit margins.”

ClearShot™ technology can also enable a manufacturer to maximize water content within the product specification range with more frequent testing capability. Furthermore, laboratory technician safety is dramatically improved as ammonia samples are more safely obtained and smaller ammonia sample size is required for testing.

This is the first alternative water in ammonia test method approved by the US Department of Transportation. Used in combination with OSS’ oil in ammonia test method, the result is a comprehensive Green Chemistry approach for Anhydrous Ammonia product testing.

About Orono Spectral Solutions:

Incorporated in 2004, Orono Spectral Solutions develops and markets leading edge surface chemistry technology for sampling products that satisfy the needs within a wide range of Defense, Industrial and Environmental industries.