Particle size analyzer
The pioneer in Dry Dispersing
RODOS is the original by the inventor of dry dispersion. With this breakthrough innovation, Sympatec has opened up dry applications to particle measurement technology – as early as 1982. Since then, it has been possible to dry measure powders, fibers and granules in a manner appropriate to the product, with both laser diffraction and dynamic image analysis. No other method of dispersing is anywhere near as powerful or achieves such an efficient as well as gentle dispersion from the sub-micron to millimeter range. The speed, reproducibility, comparability and (above all) the high statistical reliability with large sample volumes up to more than 1,000 ml are particularly striking. However, even the smallest particle quantities in the microgram range are fully recorded with sophisticated trigger algorithms.
The dispersion effects in the RODOS injection disperser are caused by a special flow control in the long, straight dispersing line that ultimately enables a release of the isolated and highly accelerated particles in an aerosol jet. The product is fed in the axis of flow and initiates linear acceleration and mixing of particles with the compressed air or an inert gas. The dispersion energy is precisely adjusted to the product via the pre-pressure and an annular gap. The high air flow, the expansion and the ultimate jet formation provide a high exit speed of up to 100 m/s and an optimum optical dilution of the aerosol cloud for analysis. This way it is also possible to supply the sensor with difficult-to-disperse particles, such as residually moist, oily or magnetic powder, as perfectly dispersed individual particles without the risk of reagglomeration.
Laser diffraction method
Within our laser diffraction systems the primary physical diffraction set-up is realised deploying a parallel laser beam. This yields the purest optical alignment for analysis of extended special arrangements of particle collectives which allows for size characterization beyond limiting assumptions and constraint.
Following the premise of Fraunhofer diffraction scattered light of absorbing particles is measured under low angles in forward direction only. In contrast to Mie theory only the Fraunhofer model does not require knowledge of optical properties. Hence, solely Fraunhofer is applicable to mixtures of different materials and shapes. With laser diffraction the determined particle size always refers to the equivalent diameter of a sphere sharing the same diffraction pattern.
Within the past twenty years laser diffraction has become the dominating technique in particle sizing. In earlier days off-line particle size analysers have been adapted by sampler couplers to process pipes. Today you will also find the MYTOS family with in-line, on-line and at-line laser diffraction systems in our instruments portfolio especially adapted to the process.
Products
The proven Sympatec HELOS series – with its classical parallel beam laser diffraction set-up – offers a powerful technology for particle size distribution analysis of powders, granules, suspensions, emulsions, sprays and numerous other particulate systems. A size range from below 0.1 µm to 8,750 µm is mastered. The modular sensor reveals its true superiority when operated with feeding and dispersing systems, that guarantee for best adaption to the product sample.
Sympatec MYTOS integrates the established core technologies of HELOS laser diffraction and RODOS dry dispersion in a single robust body: a process-proven laser diffraction sensor for dry powders ranging from 0.25 µm to 3,500 µm. In combination with continuously operating sampling system TWISTER a complete integration into the processing pipe is realised making it a true in-line solution delivering representative results.
Applying components of highest performance, Sympatec modular particle size and shape analyser QICPIC develops the full power of dynamic image analysis from below 1 µm to 34,000 µm. High speed image analysis using a pulsed light source with illumination times in the nanosecond range the particles are optically frozen while a high-resolution, high-speed camera captures the razor-sharp particle projections with a frequency of up to 500 frames per second.
The ultrasonic extinction spectrometer Sympatec OPUS analyses particle size distribution as well as concentration of your suspension or emulsion ranging from below 1 µm to 3 mm. For many years, OPUS is successfully operating in crystallization, grinding and homogenization processes and proves its manifold performances. With various applications, OPUS is repeatedly revealing new insights – not only in production lines but also in pilot plants and lab settings.
In general, the acquisition of scattered light intensities of particles under thermal motion is deployed for nanoparticle characterisation (principle of dynamic light scattering (DLS)). Sympatec NANOPHOX brings Photon Cross-correlation Spectroscopy (PCCS) to life, which allows for high resolution nanoparticle size analysis in high concentrated suspensions and emulsions ranging from 0.5 nm to 10,000 nm with minimum sample preparation.
Applications
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