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The FMX HydroTracer of aboni- a New Moisture Meter
The FMX HydroTracer is a precise instrument measuring the absolute value of the water content in solid samples. Especially during the transformation of technical plastics the water content determines often the quality of the later product.
High sample weights together with a high resolution of this unique test method allow the determination of very low water contents with an accuracy of some ppm. A great variety of powders and granules can be tested
There is no calibration necessary before the measurement. With the exception of a few parts of the housing, the device is made of durable aluminium alloys, combining toughness with low weight. These features plus the compact design are recommending the HydroTracer as an ideal tool also for mobile use.
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Measuring Principle
The sample is weighed and filled into the sample tray. The sample tray itself is part of an integrated reactor within the Hydrotracer. A heater warms the sample to a chosen temperature. The evaporating water reacts with a powdery reagent, which transforms water into hydrogen The concentration of hydrogen within the reactor atmosphere is a measure of the water content within the reactor. A gas sensor detects the hydrogen concentration. The moisture content is detected very accurately considering the moisture content of the ambient air and the given weight of the sample.
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Cutaway view of reactor
1: Sample tray
2: Sample material
3: Reagent
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The Reagent
Water is transformed to hydrogen with a metal hydride. As a standard accrssory 75 g of calcium hydride are supplied with the HydroTracer. This amount is good for approximately 750 measurements. Calcium hydride reacts with water to calcium hydroxide which can be easily disposed without environmental hazards.
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Operation
The control of the measurement is done by a program on an external PC. The data is exchanged via a serial interface RS 232. The user is led through the sequence of manual test preparations by a picture-supported menu, thus avoiding handling errors. The measurement is easily done in a few steps only. Each test consumes about 2 minutes of working time. After inserting the sample and the reagent, the further measurement is done automatically. When the program has determined the end of the measurement, the results are stored and the program stops itself. A built-in fan cools the reactor to a stand-by temperature of 50 °C. The HydroTracer is now ready for the next measurement. A test needs about 15- 30 minutes, depending on the moisture content of the sample.
Menu examples
TECHNICAL DATA
0,01 g to 50 g (100g), depending on density and moisture
±0,1 mg H2O (1 mg water content) to
±0,3 mg H2O (20 mg water content)
Absolute measuring
range:
Relative measuring
range:
0,0005%- 5%
mg water content
Display via PC:
water content in mg, % and ppm,
add. amb. air data: temperature,
relative humidity and pressure
230 VAC or 115 VAC or 100 VAC
285 mm x 170 mm x 250 mm (h x w x d)
Some applications
Anorganic Salts
Calcium carbonate
Caprolactam
Sand
Carbon black
Plastics:
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-ABS
-PA 6
-PA 6.6
-PA 12
-PAA
-PAI
-PBT
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-PC
-PE
-PE Talcum
-PEI
-PETa
-PETc
-PMMA
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-POM
-PP
-PS
-PS expanded
-PVC
-TPE
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