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Flow Sorption Microcalorimeter instrument configurations
The range of standard instrument configurations for the flow sorption microcalorimeter (FMC) has been designed to assist with the easy identification of the primary function that a user requires from the instrument. The FMC can be used with working fluids that are gases, vapours, or liquids. Our instruments are generally configured for work exclusively with liquids or for work exclusively with gases and vapours. We do, however, have one instrument configuration which can be setup for either liquid working or gas / vapour working. The major accessories and upgrades are shown following the descriptions of the instruments.
The complexity of the instrument configurations available varies, the simplest option being the FMC–3000, the most complex being the FMC–4034. The main division lies between the Mark 4Vi (inert) models primarily for solid–liquid work in which the main contact material is PTFE or materials of comparable inertness, and the Mark 4Vms models primarily for solid–gas work in which the main contact materials are stainless steel and MACOR®.
Whilst the Mark 4Vms model is primarily for use with gases and vapours, many liquid–solid systems can be studied if required. The Mark 4Vms also facilitates the use of pressures of up to fifty bar gauge to carry out pressure swing studies. An added advantage of this instrument is that when carrying out gas–phase studies, the tendency of PTFE to sorb certain gases and vapours is avoided. The maximum working temperature of the MACOR® (Mark 4Vms) instrument is 240ºC, compared with the PTFE (Mark 4Vi) instruments which are limited to 150ºC.
The liquid–phase instruments (all inert) are: FMC–3000, FMC–3010, FMC–4010, FMC–4012, and the FMC–4014.
The gas–phase inert instruments are: FMC–4020, FMC–4022, and the FMC–4024.
The gas–phase MACOR® instruments are: FMC–4110, and the FMC–4112.
The combined gas–phase and liquid–phase (all inert) are: FMC–4030, FMC–4032, and the FMC–4034.
Given the addition of liquid handling facilities, the FMC–4110 gas–phase MACOR® instrument will operate with liquid systems, but does not have the chemical resistance [notably to strong alkali media] which is offered by the inert instruments with their PTFE contact surfaces.
Instrument configuration summary
Starter models:
FMC–3000
Liquid phase heats of adsorption starter instrument (Mark 4i) with inert PTFE construction and the minimum of accessories. No vacuum sytem is fitted. Caldos 2·4 software supplied.
FMC–3010
As per the FMC–3000, with the addition of an automatic sequence controller (ASC2).
Full liquid–phase models:
FMC–4010
Liquid phase inert instrument (Mark 4Vi) for heats of adsorption with full liquid delivery and vacuum systems. Caldos 2·4 software supplied.
FMC–4012
As per the FMC–4010, with the addition of the Caldos 3·30 software and higher sensitivity electronics.
FMC–4014
As per the FMC–4012, with the addition of an automatic sequence controller (ASC2).
Full gas–phase models:
FMC–4020
Gas phase inert instrument (Mark 4Vi) for heats of adsorption with full gas delivery (GDS1) and vacuum systems. Caldos 2·4 software supplied.
FMC–4022
As per the FMC–4020, with the addition of the Caldos 3·30 software and higher sensitivity electronics.
FMC–4024
As per the FMC–4022, with the addition of an automatic sequence controller (ASC2).
Combined models:
FMC–4030
Gas phase and liquid phase instrument (Mark 4Vi) with the combined capabilities of the FMC–4010 and the FMC–4020.
FMC–4032
As per the FMC–4030, with the addition of the Caldos 3·30 software and higher sensitivity electronics.
FMC–4034
As per the FMC–4032, with the addition of an automatic sequence controller (ASC2).
Full gas–phase MACOR® models:
FMC–4110
Gas phase MACOR® instrument (Mark 4Vms) for heats of adsorption with full gas delivery (GDS2) and vacuum systems. Caldos 3·30 software and higher sensitivity electronics supplied as standard. The GDS2 plumbing is stainless steel throughout and includes a saturator and a down stream detector.
FMC–4112
Gas phase MACOR® instrument (Mark 4Vms) for heats of adsorption with an Isobaric Pressure Controller (IPC) and a vacuum system. Caldos 3·30 software and higher sensitivity electronics supplied as standard. The plumbing is stainless steel throughout, and the IPC permits pressure swing adsorption studies to be carried out at pressures up to fifty bar gauge.
Instrument accessories and upgrades summary
The ideal selection of instrument, upgrades, and accessories may only become practicable once the character of the work to be undertaken is known. We therefore recommend contacting Microscal Limited before finalising the selection of any particular FMC configuration. Note that the Mark 4Vms instruments already have Caldos 3·30 as standard, as do those instruments marked 'high sensitivity'. Instruments marked 'automated' already have an ASC2 as standard.
Automatic Sequence Controller (ASC2)
This accessory permits the unattended switching of the fluid streams to an FMC in accordance with a sequence which the operator can pre–program using a computer. The ASC2 is, therefore, able to liberate the operator for other work assignments when required, whilst also allowing the actual hours of FMC utilisation to be increased without a proportionate increase of the operating costs. The ASC2 requires that the instrument has been fitted with Caldos 3·30.
Motorised Loop–Injection Valve (mLIV)
This accessory requires the ASC2 to be fitted to the instrument, and provides the ability to automatically insert aliquots of a probe into the carrier stream. There is complete control over the loading of the loop as well as its discharge into the instrument.
Pressure Monitoring and Control Unit (PM&CU2)
When operating a liquid–phase system it is sometimes necessary to apply a back–pressure to the FMC system so to to keep any dissolved gases in solution. The PM&CU2 permits a back–pressure of up to five bar gauge to be monitored and adjusted whilst being applied to both of the main supply syringes in unison.
Gas Delivery Systems (GDS1 and GDS2)
If experiments using gases or vapours are to be run then these accessories provide gas streams with very stable flow rates in the region of one to ten millilitres per minute, or even less if required, for a wide selection of carrier and probe gases, or for the carrier gas to be routed through a saturator if vapours are to be used. There is provision for the automation of the gas delivery system using an ASC2 to provide stream changeover. There are two configurations of GDS available – GDS1 where the contact materials are inert throughout (primarily for use with the inert instruments), and GDS2 where the contact materials are primarily stainless steel. The GDS2 also includes an integral thermal conductivity detector, i.e. fitted as standard to the FMC–4110.
Caldos 3·30 upgrade
This upgrade can be applied to any of our FMCs that were not originally supplied with this option. The economics of upgrading Mark 3 and Mark 4 instruments are seldom in doubt, but the cost for upgrading Mark 2 and earlier models should be checked out first. When compared with current costs, it is usually advantageous to upgrade an instrument. The upgrade includes the provision of higher sensitivity analogue electronics. Also, the ability to operate an ASC2 can be provided with a full upgrade which includes the provision of digital electronics.
Caldos 4 upgrade
This upgrade can be applied to any of our FMCs that are already fitted with the higher sensitivity analogue electronics required for Caldos 3·30. This edition of Caldos is programmed for the Microsoft® Windows® environment and cannot operate under MS–DOS®. Environments from 3·1 to XP Professional have been tested satisfactorily.
Automatic Down Stream Detector Conditioner (auto–DSD)
This allows the signal from a down stream detector to be automatically scaled over a range of fourteen steps so as to permit the collection of data without it being truncated by the control unit. The auto–DSD requires that the instrument has been fitted with Caldos 3·30. The standard conditioner has to be manually set to the correct sensitivity level, which if overrun will clip the incoming signal.
Fine Powder Outlet Kit (L3(M)P kit)
When dealing with most powders and granular materials, the standard filter pads with their pore size of 25 µm are adequate in most cases. However, some materials can enter, block, or traverse that type of filter pad and we therefore developed this accessory for very fine materials, made from PVDF, which has a pore size of 0·22 µm.
Kelef Bobbin Kit
This allows fibres, ribbons, and the like to be packaged so as to keep them from blocking the cell. It is also easier to remove them after the study is complete.
Liquid–phase Micropump (PUMP22)
An extra pump mechanism for when a second or third supply syringe is required.
Supply Syringe (UP/GMS20)
An extra supply syringe for the automatic loop–injection option or as an additional item to ease the work in preparing an experiment. There are two options – a glass / metal syringe where inert contact materials are unnecessary, and a glass / PTFE syringe when required.
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