Apollo L Thermogravimetric Analyser. Since 1987 IMP is synonymous with providing high end innovative semi and fully automated laboratory equipment

Transcription

1 Apollo L Thermogravimetric Analyser Since 1987 IMP is synonymous with providing high end innovative semi and fully automated laboratory equipment

2 What is TGA? Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is the mass loss or gain in a sample as a function of temperature and time under controlled atmospheric conditions. More simply, TGA measures the mass lost or gained as a sample is heated according to a predefined program of temperature and time. Traditionally samples are placed into laboratory ovens and muffle furnaces for fixed times and usually at fixed temperatures. Samples are subsequently weighed manually. IMP's TGA units with integrated load cells combine drying, ashing and weighing processes. This drastically improves efficiency, precision and accuracy, and sample throughput. IMP TGA s determine data such as such as moisture content, loss or gain of ignition, loss of volatiles, oxidation, pyrolysis, plasticizer loss, and ash content. The TGA s are suitable for a wide range of materials such as ores, coal, coke, cement, lime, polymers, adhesives, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, paper, tobacco and organic samples. Typically the analysis is performed in air, but other gases such as nitrogen or oxygen can be used to achieve a specific test atmosphere. Samples can be heated and cooled to specific heating profiles. The heating rates can be set to each temperature. Samples can be held at fixed temperatures for a predefined period of time or samples can be constantly weighed at predefined temperatures until they reach constant mass. IMP TGA s are used to analyse samples in accordance with several international standards such as ISO and/or ASTM standards. Typical sample materials Ore Cement Tobacco Coke Coal Food grains TGA is used for materials such as organic and inorganic matter, synthetics, lime, polymers, adhesives, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, paper, tobacco, and wheat. 1

3 When Quality Matters Apollo L bench top TGA The Apollo L features a double carousel to accommodate the automation of opening and closing crucible lids For applications requiring automated lid opening and closing The Apollo L is a variant of the standard Apollo TGA. It is identical in most aspects, except it features a second carousel which holds lids for the sample crucibles. These can be automatically placed and removed during the analytical process with no need for operator intervention. It accommodates up to 20 samples of 5 grams each, and can heat them to 1000 C in a user-defined atmosphere. Some applications such as ASTM methods for the determination of volatile matter or other very reactive sample types requires that the crucibles are covered with lids. The double carousel allows the operator to setup predefined methods and select when in the cycle to lift the lids or when in the cycle lower the lids to seal the crucibles. The software allows for weighing of the crucibles with or without the lids on. This level of flexibility allows the operator to setup analytical programs to suit most known TGA methods. Examples include ASTM methods for the measurement of moisture, ash and volatile matter. Innovative Thermogravimetric Analysers 2

4 Apollo L bench top TGA The Apollo L is our semi-automated TGA with manual loading of the samples or carousels of pre-weighed samples. The instrument starts from ambient temperature and performs all sample weighing and recording of results automatically. 24 samples of up to 5 grams each can be analysed at temperatures up to 1000 C in customisable atmospheric conditions. Large sample capacity The 24 position carousel is class leading, and enables higher sample throughput rates. 2 Apollo L TGA's can be controlled from a single PC boosting productivity, saving space and reducing cost. Smart connectivity All of the functions can be controlled remotely through the internet from a mobile phone, tablet, or PC. This allows for monitoring of the instrument and its operation from a distance. Up to 6 units can be monitored in this manner. 3

5 When Quality Matters Powerful heating elements The Apollo L models all feature high power heating elements for quick temperature ramping and excellent temperature stability. The multi element design ensures that temperatures are uniform throughout the furnace chamber. Three thermocouples are used to ensure ultimate safety, precision and accuracy. Precision weighing cell The Apollo L features an insulated weighing cell that isolates the weighing process from the heat and atmosphere. It employs a premium high precision load cell accurate to 0.1 mg for robust and accurate mass determination. The weighing cell is connected to the furnace by a ceramic spindle with a pedestal on which the crucibles are placed. All measurements are stored in the database. Innovative Thermogravimetric Analysers 4

6 Flexible analysis with or without crucible lids Crucible lids open Crucible lids closed Weighing with crucible lids off Weighing with crucible lids on Benefits and features No need for operators to place and remove lids during operation. Technique is much quicker when compared to standard TGA s without the lid removal feature or muffle furnace methods as there is no need to wait for the furnace to cool so that the operator can remove the lids. The double carousel eliminates the risk of operator burns as they attempt to remove crucible lids at temperature. Allows lid removal and placement at any point in the cycle. Avoids the risk of the operator dropping lids into the furnace. Accommodates weighing with or without lids on. Crucibles and lids can be pre-weighed using an external balance to accelerate the changeover between runs. Can be used as a standard TGA without the second carousel. 5

7 When Quality Matters ControlTrack PC Software ControlTrack is easy to use, intuitive software which controls the instrument, tracks the samples and measurement data throughout the process. Sample registration is made easy with auto fill for samples with consecutive sample numbers. Samples can also be registered by bar-code or e-scanner and batch sample data can be imported from external sources such as LIMS and external weighing modules. The user is able to build customised methods for analysis on the fly and save these for re-use or can select from previously stored methods. During the analytical cycle, the instrument will display the current parameters such as the real time furnace temperature, sample status and time remaining. Data is also presented graphically in real time for convenience. As the results become available, they are instantly displayed to the operator and/or sent through to LIMS. ControlTrack also allows the operator to add method specific calculations to the raw data. All data is easily exportable to applications such as Excel or LIMS. ControlTrack can control more than one TGA, saving valuable space, improving efficiency and saving costs. IMP s range of TGA s can be controlled and monitored from any web enabled device such as mobile phone or tablet. This also allows for on-line remote diagnostics and support. Typical international standards Standard Material to be analysed Title of the standard D Coal and Coke Standard Test Methods for proximate Analysis of coal and Coke by Macro Thermogravimetric Analysis D5142 Coal and Coke Standard Test Methods for Proximate Analysis of the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke (replaced by D7582) ISO 562 Hard Coal and Coke Determination of volatile matter GB/T Coal Standard Test Method For Proximate Analysis of Coal D734-08e1 Solid Combustion Residues Standard Test Methods for Loss on Ignition (LOI) on Solid Combustion Residues DIN Solid fuels Determination of the water content and the moisture of analysis sample DIN Solid fuels Solid mineral fuels - Determination of ash content ISO11722 Solid mineral fuels Hard coal Determination of moisture in the general analysis test sample by drying in nitrogen ISO1171 Solid mineral fuels Determination of ash EN Biomass Solid biofuels - Determination of the content of volatile matter EN Biomass Solid biofuels - Determination of ash content ASTM E1755 Biomass Standard Test Method for Ash in Biomass EN Sludges Determination of dry residue and water content Innovative Thermogravimetric Analysers 6

8 Technical Data Apollo L bench top TGA Sample mass <5g * Number of samples 20 Number of carousels Balance resolution 2 (Crucibles + lids) 0.1 mg Temperature range Ambient to 1000 C Temperature control Precision: 2% or ±2 C / stability: 2% or ±2 C Gas flow rate Gas pressure Exhaust air Power supply Element wattage Weight Dimensions Interfaces Accessories Adjustable from 1 to 10 l/min Air 5 6 bar (75 90 psi) / nitrogen 2 4 bar (30 60 psi) / oxygen 2 4 bar (30 60 psi) 4 m³ per hour 230 V (±10%) / one phase / 50/60 Hz / 15 A (TGA's) 230 V (±10%) / one phase / 50/60 Hz / 2 A (PC, fan) 3 kw 114 kg 603 x 674 x 577mm Ethernet Computer, monitor, printer *Up to 70 g for special applications IMP Group Australia 34 Hasler Road, Osborne Park PO Box 1183 Osborne Park WA 6916 Australia Tel: +61 (8) Fax: +61 (8) info@impgroup.com.au IMP Africa Cnr Commissioner & Christopher Street, Boksburg East, 1459 PO Box 1110 Boksburg, 1460, South Africa Tel: +27 (11) Fax: +27 (11) info@imp.co.za IMP Brazil R. Fernandes Tourinho, 147 Sala Savassi Belo Horizonte-MG Brazil Tel: +55 (31) Fax: +55 (31) labrobotico@impgroup.com.au IMP Canada Suite 103 / 2902 Sth. Sheridan Way Oakville, ON, L6J7L6 Tel: Fax: Cell: info@impautomation.ca IMP Mongolia Room 501, UB Platinum Building, Enkhtaivan Avenue, 4th Khoroo, Bayangol District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Tel: Cell: info@impgroup.com.au