QICPIC | Particle Size and Particle Shape from below 1 µm to 34,000 µm

Dynamic Image Analyse | Particle Size and Particle Shape from below 1 µm to 34,000 µm 

The modular image analysis sensor QICPIC combines size and shape analysis of disperse particle systems within a size range of < 1 µm to 34,000 µm. Flexible sensor adaptation for analysis of powders, granules, fibres, suspensions and emulsions is provided by a wide range of dispersing and dosing units. Numerous implementations in pharmaceutical and chemical industry, food and beverage technology or soil science just denote the array of applications in industry and research.

The most prominent feature is an exposure time within the sub-nanoseconds regime allowing for an image capturing frequency of up to 500 frames per second. Initially, this ensures a high confidence level for measuring results based on a great number of observations. At the same time, the characterisation of finest, cohesive powders with RODOS becomes an option. The necessary level of energy application for effective dry dispersion results in particle flows with velocities of up to 100 m/s. The extremely short exposure times ensure capturing and clear imaging of even fastest singular particles. Powerful evaluation software supports the simultaneous determination of all relevant size and shape characteristics. A particle gallery together with diverse screening criteria facilitate creation of specific and meaningful reports even if several millions of particles are captured.

Due to modular placed disperser and dosing units the analyser fits flexible for dry and wet applications generating product-specific characterisation:

Dry Applications

• RODOS | injection disperser for finest, even cohesive dry powders | 5 µm to 4,000 µm
• GRADIS | gravity disperser for coarser, even fragile dry particulate systems | 5 µm to 34,000 µm
• VIBRI | vibratory feeder for precise dosing and feeding of dry particulate systems (in combination with RODOS, GRADIS or OASIS)
• ASPIROS | micro dosing system for feeding of small amounts of precious or toxic substances in encapsulated sample vials (in combination with RODOS or OASIS) | 5 µm to 500 µm
• FIBROS | pre-disperser for gentle separation and feeding of dry, even curly fibres (in combination with GRADIS) | fibre thickness 5 µm to 5,000 µm, fibre length 500 µm to 30.000 µm

Wet Applications

• LIXELL | wet disperser for emulsions and suspensions | 1 µm to 2,000 µm; with special flow-through cuvette also available for applications from 20 µm to 10,000 µm (e.g., pulp) | 5 µm to 4,000 µm
• MIXCEL | modular wet disperser for emulsions and suspensions | 1 µm to 3,000 µm
• FLOWCELL | open-loop cell for high volume with mid-size or coarse particles | 10 mm cell: 11 µm to 5,000 µm or 20 mm cell: 17 µm to 16,000 µm
• LIQXI | dosing unit for suspensions and emulsions to 250 ml (in combination with LIXELL) | 0,1 µm to 500 µm

Specialities

• OASIS | combined dry and wet disperser consisting of RODOS & SUCELL | 2 µm to 2,000 µm
• MULTISAMPLER | sample handling system for automated feeding of dry and wet samples in 39 ml vials in batch operation (in combination with RODOS or QUIXEL) | 70 vials per rack
• LIQIBACK | reprocessing unit for recycling of dispersion liquids with two filter stages: 1 µm and 0.45 µm (in combination with MIXCEL)

Process-related particle size and shape characterisation is opened up by integrated image analysis sensors PICTOS, PICTIS & PICCELL covering a size range from 2 µm to 10.000 µm. PICTOS integrates QICPIC dynamic image analysis and RODOS dry dispersion technology in a robust body, which was specifically developed for on-line applications. PICTIS combines image analysis and gentle gravitational disperser GRADIS, allowing at-line or on-line applications in process environments. And PICCELL with its flow-through cuvette finally transfers wet dispersion to on-line operations of image analysis.

Feeding of PICTOS, PICTIS & PICCELL is realised either with dynamic and representative sampling system TWISTER, blending MIXER or static L-probes. Also, automatic or user-operated manual feeding is an option.