Versatile and fully-automated wet dispersion unit for fine dispersed products
SUCELL is an automated wet dispersion unit for particle size analysis of various types of suspensions or emulsions in the size range of 0.1 µm to about 2,000 µm. It operates in a closed loop and can be used with all sensors of the HELOS laser diffraction family and as SUCELL/L with the QICPIC image analysis sensor.
In a stainless steel basin with inlet, outlet, overflow and two level sensors, 500 ml of suspension or emulsion are homogenised by two speed-controlled stirrers. The liquid is then pumped by a controlled peristaltic pump through a stainless steel flow-through cuvette and back into the basin.
The often necessary dispersion is supported by adding tensides and with the built-in ultrasonication unit: 0 to 60 W output power, adjustable in 1% steps. All functions such as filling, degassing, circulation, draining and ultrasonication are defined in the PAQXOS application software and executed during the measurement. The entire measurement method, including all settings, can be saved as an SOP and recalled during repeat measurements.
The cuvette can easily be removed and disassembled for cleaning purpose. Cuvettes with different path lengths of 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm and 4 mm are available allowing an adaptation of the SUCELL circuit to the max. particle size of the sample and the optimal optical concentration.
If frequent changes between dry and wet dispersion are required then the SUCELL/L is optionally available with the proven dry dispersion unit RODOS/L as a combined dry and wet dispersion unit OASIS/L. OASIS/L is designed both for use in the HELOS laser diffraction sensors and for dynamic image analysis with the QICPIC sensor and can thus be applied additionally for dry and wet dispersion for analysis of particle shape and particle size.
The Small Volume Adapter SVA is an add-on for SUCELL, SUCELL/L and OASIS. It is designed as a basin in the basin and reduces the necessary amount of liquid for the particle size analysis of suspensions and emulsions from about 500 ml to less than 50 ml.
After manual insertion of the SVA into the SUCELL the software automatically detects the SVA and adapts the operating parameters accordingly (e.g. by reducing the maximum pumping speed and the rotating speed of the stirrer). All standard functions of the SUCELL, i.e. filling, additive supply, circulation, degasing, draining and sonication are maintained using the SVA.
For applications with a higher product throughput, there is also an option to incorporate a liquid reprocessing system in the form of LIQIBACK in order to ensure a sustainable use of the dispersing liquid. It consists of two suspension reservoirs and filter/pump trolley for all kinds of closed loop wet dispersers.
Read more about LIQIBACK
