AEROSOL SPECTROMETERS Top resolution, the best classification accuracy, coincidence detection and correction of the individual signal 1 APPLICATIONS Research and development, environmental measurements Quality control and process optimisation Health and safety at work
Blue sky = Rayleigh scattering (1871) White clouds = Mie scattering (1908) Rayleigh scattering Cigarette smoke blue see the measurement diagram on page 5 Mie scattering Cigarette smoke white after a resting time of approx. 10 s in the mouth AEROSOL SPECTROMETERS THE SPECIAL FEATURES Left figure: Light is scattered by particles. The scattered light results from a combination of refraction, diffraction and reflection. Palas detects the scattered light from individual particles and this provides information on the particle size, which is not possible with collective light scattering (nephelometers). Right figures: The particle size distribution in cigarette smoke is shifted by coagulation into the Mie range. Also see the measurement diagram on page 5. The aerosol spectrometers from Palas are used whenever particle size and quantity have to be determined unambiguously and reproducibly with highest resolution and the best classification precision. They are used worldwide in environmental and climatic studies, for example in emission and immission measurements. Further applications include research projects in industry, quality assurance and process monitoring, measurements at the workplace and in indoor spaces, testing of high performance filters or oil nebulizers and many more besides. To this very day, the technology deployed by Palas with a white light source, 90 scattered-light detection and an optically differentiated T-shaped measurement volume is the world s only optical measurement method that ensures precise particle size and concentration determination over a wide measuring range from 120 nm to 100 µm and up to 10 6 particles/cm 3. Greatest variety for diverse measurement tasks With the model groups welas digital, Inas, Promo and Fidas, Palas offers the most modern, reliable and scientifically most thoroughly investigated optical aerosol spectrometers in the world. The wide range of aerosol sensors allows diverse measurement tasks to be undertaken in the temperature range from -120 C to +470 C just as reliably as up to 10 bar overpressure. The patented optical fibre technology also facilitates measurements at inaccessible measuring sites or in potentially explosive atmospheres, as well as in hygienically highly sensitive areas (GMP). The system is based on patented T-aperture technology for restricting the optical measurement volume without border zone error, as well as coincidence detection and correction of the individual signal. The scientific basis for this was developed in the 1970s by Dr. Umhauer at today s Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT) and by Prof. Sachweh in the 1990s at the University of Kaiserslautern. Palas has consistently developed these technologies and switched to digital signal processing. This made it possible to mark the signal from each individual particle during the measurement with a time stamp and to save it with a time measuring accuracy of 10 ms. In addition, the measuring range of the sensors was considerably expanded in the upper concentration range. Particle size range from 120 nm to 100 µm Depending on the device type, the Palas aerosol spectrometers can measure in the particle size range from 120 nm to 100 µm and in very high concentrations up to 10 6 particles/cm 3. In contrast to other methods, optical light scattering measurement technology allows continuous and high resolution measurement of the particle number and particle size with simultaneous output of different measured values with just one device. T-aperture functional schematic White light is fed into the aerosol sensor via fibre-optic cables where it is focussed T-shaped in the measurement cuvette. The scattered light is observed at an angle of 90 to the incident light using a T-aperture. A three-dimensional T-shaped measurement volume is obtained as a result of the T-shaped light beam and the T-shaped observation plane. 2 3
PALAS OFFERS THE MOST MODERN, RELIABLE AND THOROUGHLY SCIENTIFICALLY INVESTIGATED OPTICAL AEROSOL SPECTROMETERS WORLDWIDE. welas digital 3000 QUALITY + COST-EFFICIENCY welas digital The aerosol spectrometer is used at extreme temperatures of -90 C in the aerosol and cloud chamber AIDA (Aerosol Interactions and Dynamics in the atmosphere) at the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT). Photo: KIT number concentration Cn in m -3 10 16 10 14 10 12 10 10 10 8 10 6 10 4 10 2 10 0 Emissions from combustion processes Atmospheric aerosol 9 Limit of clean room classes according to ISO 14644-1 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 7 Dust emissions 0,001 0,01 0,1 1 10 100 The Palas quality management system is certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2008. All device components are assembled exclusively in-house at Palas and undergo strict quality assurance testing. The measuring principle, the optics and electronics used, as well as many of the components, are the same for the aerosol spectrometers. This high degree of standardisation ensures consistent high quality. All requirements of ISO 21501-1 and the VDI 3867-4 directives are significantly exceeded. Easy-to-handle, robust and low maintenance Although many measuring tasks are highly complex and have to satisfy the highest scientific requirements, Palas still places importance on a high level of user-friendliness. All measuring devices require little maintenance, can be calibrated by the users themselves, are robust and easy to operate. Powerful software for measurement data acquisition and evaluation, as well as a large number of interfaces, allow simple and fast particle size and concentration analysis. The good quality and the technological advantages are the reason why Palas aerosol spectrometers work extremely reliably. Thanks to their minimal maintenance, low operating costs and user-friendly operation, they are also especially cost-effective. welas digital systems allow unambiguous measurement of particle size on an individual particle, without dilution, also in higher concentrations up to 10 6 particles/cm 3. These are the only optical aerosol spectrometer systems in the world without border zone error, with coincidence detection and coincidence correction. The welas digital series of aerosol spectrometers are operated from a PC. welas digital 1000 With the welas digital 1000, particle sizes above 120 nm can be reliably measured, as the special high performance xenon high pressure lamp with very high light intensity and the photomultiplier are directly integrated in the aerosol sensor. The upper measuring range extends to 40 µm. welas digital 2000 The measuring range of the welas digital 2000 is 200 nm to 100 µm. The sensor and control unit are spatially separated with patented optical fibre technology (e.g. for use in Ex zones, etc.). welas digital 3000 welas digital 3000 has the same properties as welas digital 2000. In addition, it is also possible to measure with two sensors by special fibre optic cables virtually simultaneously at a separation of up to 100 m. The welas sensors The welas aerosol sensors can also be operated at inaccessible sites. The special measuring cuvettes allow use up to 250 C, in overpressure up to 10 bar and are resistant against chemically aggressive media. 7 3 0 0 1 10 d p in µm Red curve = blue smoke Blue curve = white smoke measured with welas 1000 Measurement results for blue smoke and white smoke see figures on page 3 Test rig for characterisation of aerosol gener- Particle diameter d p [µm] ators and for calibration of aerosol measuring Schematic representation of aerosol concentration devices with oil, salt and dust aerosols 4 5
Promo Inas Picture above: Promo 3000 is used with the 2300 P and 2500 P welas sensors under extreme conditions in the world s most modern aeronautics wind tunnel of the European Transonic Wind Tunnel (ETW) in Cologne. At temperatures down to -160 C, pressures up to 4.5 bar and flow speeds up to 1.35 Mach, the measuring devices help ensure reliable test conditions. Photo: ETW Promo 2000 The Promo aerosol spectrometer system was specially developed for continuous process monitoring and is based on welas digital technology. The Promo series devices are standalone measuring devices equipped with an easy-to-operate integrated PC with touchscreen. They offer various interfaces, such as Modbus, and can be immediately integrated in process control systems with operation and evaluation using external software. Promo 1000 The measuring range of the Promo 1000 extends from 120 nm to 40 µm. It offers high temporal resolution of up to 1 s. Promo 2000 The measuring range of the Promo 2000 extends from 200 nm to 100 µm. The sensors can be connected via fibre optic cables and interchanged as required. Promo 3000 Promo 3000 has the same properties as Promo 2000. In addition, it is also possible to measure with two sensors by a special fibre optic cable virtually simultaneously at a separation of up to 100 m. Promo mobile Promo mobile is a portable handheld unit that measures particle size distribution in a range from 0.18 to 18 µm or 0.4 to 40 µm under environmental conditions. Optional: battery operation. With its Inas aerosol spectrometer system, Palas has developed a new measuring device for highly concentrated pharmaceutical metered dose inhalers. Spray bursts from nebulizers, metered dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) can be investigated with Inas in a range from 0.2 to 40 μm with high temporal resolution. The easy-to-handle and low maintenance device allows simultaneous measurement of particle size and particle quantity and real time evaluation. The measurement results obtained with Inas even show very good agreement with those from the currently prescribed gravimetric measuring methods for substances in powder form. Analysis of individual spray bursts possible The welas digital optical aerosol spectrometer forms the technical basis of the Inas. It was developed in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Institute of the Christian Albrecht University in Kiel (Germany). The Inas aerosol spectrometer is able to measure concentrations of up to 10 7 particles/cm 3. The high temporal resolution of 10 ms means that individual spray bursts can be analysed with time resolution in terms of particle size distribution and concentration. Inas is equipped with the welas sensor 2070 and a dilution unit. The volume flow is set using a mass flow. Inas 40 The Inas 40 is used for real-time particle size and particle quantity determination of individual spray bursts from MDIs and nebulizers. The variable suction volume flow is up to 40 l/min. Inas 100 The Inas 100 can also be used with DPIs and with variable suction volume flows of up to 100 l/min. ADVANTAGES Inas allows high resolution determination of pharmaceutical aerosols in terms of their particle size with over 100 size channels. Concentration is measured in realtime with simultaneous quantity determination. Inas 40 Promo mobile Inas 100 6 7
PALAS MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF EXPERTISE IN AEROSOL TECHNOLOGY With over 50 patents submitted, Palas has set the standard in aerosol and particle technology for more than 30 years. Through continuous innovations, we achieve extraordinary quality and durability in our products. The result is unique technical and economic advantages for our customers. Palas has established itself as a global market leader in the fields of aerosol generation, aerosol dilution and aerosol particle measurement technology. Renowned companies, universities and research institutions in approximately 60 countries put their trust in Palas precision technology. OUR CORE COMPETENCIES Filter test systems* Aerosol spectrometer systems* Fine dust monitoring systems Nanoparticle measurement technology Particle generation systems* Dilution systems* Clean room particle technology Special developments Calibration systems* Services Training courses and seminars * Palas is the market leader in these product groups. CONTACT Palas GmbH Greschbachstrasse 3b 76229 Karlsruhe, Germany Phone: +49 721 96213-0 Fax: +49 721 96213-33 Email: mail@palas.de Internet: www.palas.de 8