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Large sample holders with variable porosities filters (User-defined filters)

By InstruQuest Inc.

Development of special materials often necessitates individual approach to filter design. Multi components filters allow the user to construct a filter of desired porosity that best addresses a given application. The cover usually consists of two parts, the bottom, and the top nut. The bottom has the O-ring for airtight connection with the holder barrel. The user-prepared filter structure is placed onto the flat part inside the Large Sample Holder, Anodized, Fixed Porosity of 2, 5, 10, 20, or 40 microns: P/N: LSHAFP2M – 2 microns P/N: LSHAFP5M – 5 microns P/N: LSHAFP10M – 10 microns P/N: LSHAFP20M – 20 microns P/N: LSHAFP40M – 40 microns nut, which subsequently in screwed into the bottom part. The nut and the bottom part are easy to insert and remove from the main body of the sample holder. It can be reused and the filter construction modified at any time by the user. The filter structure can vary, but typically a filter (or filters) of specific porosity are placed between metal (SS) mesh discs for mechanical supports and pressed inside the nut. To allow for large selection of filters, the standard size of 47 mm round filters can be utilized and such materials and they are available from various vendors worldwide. Many filter sizes in microns, like 0.1, 0.45, 1, 2, 8, and others from various materials can be used. The picture below shows example of such sample holder design. Since it is up to the user to use a particular filter sizes, the SS mesh circles and some examples of fine filters, like 1 or 8 micron are usually provided. Other particular versions of the filter design also feature one of the SS fritted filters installed permanently in the cover, or a second one in the mating bottom part. Again, in between the surfaces, the user defined filter or their combination can be placed for additional filtering capabilities. An example of such sample holder with 2 micron SS filter installed in the nut is shown in the picture below. In the purpose of restricting even the tiniest particles to flow out of the sample holder, one should keep in mind that such filtering barriers also restrict gas flow in and out of the container. It is not expected to focus on speed of experiment as the equilibration profiles for establishing a stable value of gas pressure in the sample chamber will most likely take longer with a particular filter construction then it would be without it. Since the equilibration profiles versus time can be observed in real time, the most suitable time interval can be selected. It should be noted, that usage of the 24-bit data acquisition in the HumiPyc pycnometers allows to observe much smaller pressure changes then in other pycnometers that use much smaller resolution, and therefore, the time can be usually longer if stricter equilibration criteria are declared by the user. Large Sample Holder, Anodized, Variable (User-defined) Porosity P/N: LSHAVP Standard filter(s) of 47 mm Diameter of various porosities can be used, e.g. 0.1, 0.45, 1, 2, etc. Large Sample Holder, Anodized, Variable (User-defined) Porosity with Fixed Porosity SS filter P/N: LSHAVP2M – 2 microns P/N: LSHAVP5M – 5 microns P/N: LSHAVP10M – 10 microns P/N: LSHAVP20M – 20 microns P/N: LSHAVP40M – 40 microns Standard filter(s) of 47 mm Diameter of various porosities can be used, e.g. 0.1, 0.45, 1, 2, etc.

More from InstruQuest Inc.

HumiPyc Model 1

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V-GA - Versatile Gravimetric Analyzer

High capacity (typically 100/220g or 120g) Sartorius semi-microbalance eg. CPA 225D - Electromagnetic force compensation - Thermal compensation - Adaptable to noisy environments - Integrated calibration weight - Overload protection - Readability (model dependent), typically 10 or 100 micrograms - Superior accuracy and stability V-GA isothermal chamber - Temperature control of sample chamber from sub-ambient to 95C with stability +- 0.1C - Temperature of experiment from sub-ambient to 60 C at full range of RH (standard model) - Sample chamber size (5.2cm x 5.2cm x 12.8cm), different sizes optional - High temperature digital RH probe (RH and T data) (in the vicinity of the sample) - Additional temperature sensor (RTD) (in the vicinity of the sample) - Proprietary design of vapors exhaust system and anti-condensation protection - Uniform RH distribution (special diffuser) - Dual gas/vapor entry ports - Large area sample holders with fine mesh bottoms - USB/Serial communication port for transfer of RH and temperature data to PC - Small size of instrument (w/o balance): 23cm x 27cm x 38cm The main components of the modular V-GA flow system: Selection of one of the two RH generators: (Each of the RH generators can be used separately for other applications and the operational software is provided.) Typical Applications - Monitoring the sample mass uptake or loss as a function of time by varying relative humidity or temperature (or both). - Study of permeability of different vapors through membranes, fabrics in controlled RH and temperature environment using special cells. - Possible expansion to density and surface tension measurements. Advantages - More representative sample can be used - No limit on dynamic range (compare to 500mg or +-200mg of other microbalances) - Large selection of balances and weighing modules to satisfy any application - Easy installation by the user, virtually maintenance free - Independent modules, each with its own software - Robust, easy to service and operate - Perfect for R&D and industrial QC environment - Economical to use (air can be supplied from a compressor) - Special applications can be easily addressed - Independent use of modules for other purposes, e.g. RH Generator - Ability to measure water vapor transport rates, WVTR, using special cells - Capability of determining of organic vapors permeability through membranes - Ability to determine deliquescence points - Low cost Windows® based operational software for the combined modules - Intuitive design of experiment protocols and saving them for reuse - Isothermal profiles - Iso-humidity profiles - Isobars - Fast run - Up to 1000 steps per run - Ability to select and combine several equilibrium criteria - Calculation utility for solving variety of "RH problems" - Graphing, generating reports, viewing previous data - Ability to modify experiment parameters at any time - USB/Serial communication with a PC - Automated installation

HumiPyc Model 2F (Foam) Pycnometer

Complete solution for measurements of foams volume (density) Software compatible with 64-bit Windows® operating systems To reduce errors in determination of physical volume measurements of a foam sample, additional hardware for cutting exact shapes can be provided. The first volume measurement of the whole foam sample using a gas pycnometer yields the uncorrected volume which is only accurate for predominantly open-cell structures. To obtain correction for closed cells that were cut during the foam sample preparation, the original specimen is cut into pieces to expose additional closed cells (proportional to surface area) and the foam pieces are measured again. From the geometric volume, and the first and second pycnometric runs, parameters like porosity, percentages of closed and opened cells can be calculated. The foam calculator available in newer software versions facilitates these easy calculations. The gas pycnometer also allows foam volume (density) measurements at programmable pressure levels and the results can serve for further characterization of foams (e.g. compressibility, recovery from compression). For flat foam samples primarily designed for filtering, bubble point pressure (largest pore(s)) can be determined using additional hardware. Design features: - Fully automated operation via PC - Novel software approach for experiment design and convenience of operation - Ability to set low pressures to avoid foam distortion and carry out accurate measurements using 24-bit resolution - True gas purge using a separate exhaust (similar design as in the cement density and fineness (specific surface area determination technique (Permeametry) - The foam sample can be purged to specific relative humidity value using optional RH probe. - Specific (optional) hardware for other analytical capabilities Measurement of true density, porosity, percentages of open-cell / closed-cell of foams plays important role in development and quality control of various properties of the cellular materials. Characterization of foams presents its own challenges and the highest performance gas pycnometers and dedicated accessories need to be used. The enhanced and optimized HumiPyc Gas (Helium) Pycnometers with dedicated hardware are superior tools for foams characterizations. Standard test methods for foam open cell content, like ASTM D6226 or ISO 4590 stipulate specific shapes and sizes of foam samples. To optimize the foam volume determinations results, volume reducing adapters accepting cubes or cylindrical shapes can be provided.

HumiPyc – Bubble Point & Pressure Decay Analyzer

Adding Enhanced Bubble Point (active pore size determination) and Pressure Decay methods to the true density and moisture analysis capabilities of the HumiPyc The unique design of the HumiPyc - gas (helium nitrogen, air) pycnometer and its closure of the sample chamber allow for additional usage for testing of packed beds and filter integrity (bubble point, pressure decay methods). One of the assemblies depicted on the photo below (with a paper filter inside) has transparent upper part for visual observation of the bubbles. The outlet from the chamber can be connected to a flow meter to implement additional capabilities (forward flow method, capillary porometer). Please contact us at support@instruquest.com regarding inquiries for any application-specific requirements of the Bubble Point and Pressure Decay analyzer. - Pore diameter range from micrometers to millimeters - Enhanced bubble point method - Pressure decay (pressure drop) method - Integration of density, pore analysis, and gas transport properties - Programmable pressure rate increase - High performance R&D tool for product testing and development - Open-design for easy customization to address specific requirements - Excellent resolution for large pore sizes - Temperature measurements of the externally located sample holder - Minimal added cost compared to purchasing of a separate bubble point or pressure decay tester Addition of the Bubble Point and Pressure Decay tests capabilities to the HumiPyc requires only optional hardware for the sample holding as the progressive gas dosing, all hardware, and the high resolution (24-bit) data acquisition are already a part of the gas pycnometer. The sample can be measured inside the temperature-controlled compartment of the HumiPyc or it can be measured external to the instrument. The external location of the sample holding hardware allows for larger spectrum of samples to be measured and facilitates visual determination of the onset of bubbles formation. The increase in gas pressure can be done manually or automatically and the experimental data are graphed and recorded. Considering the vast diversity of samples, their affinity towards the wetting liquid, and the pressure spectrum employed, it is recommended to combine the visual observations and the automatically obtained data for the most reliable results of the bubble point method.