Quantachrome Instruments's line of gas pycnometers for the measurement of true density of solids includes a high-throughput five-station version named the Pentapycnometer
In the exploration industry, gas pycnometers are also called helium porosimeters because, more often than not, helium gas is used to penetrate all open and connected pore space in rock and core samples.
The Pentapycnometer features automatic replacement of atmospheric gases by helium gas in a series of 'gas-rinse cycles' or timed flow of purge gas.
Sample ID entry and analysis parameters are keyed in via the membrane keypad and results are available directly to printer or via upload to custom PC software.
A serial port balance interface is included as standard, as are fifteen sample cups and a set of stainless-steel calibration spheres.
The Pentapycnometer occupies less than 0.3m2 of bench space yet is capable of multiple, repeat analyses on up to five samples completely automatically.
Sample cells are optionally available in stainless steel for added durability.
A temperature-controlled version which uses an external circulator bath and a remotely operated version are also available.
The Pentapycnometer is just one of Quantachrome's gas expansion pycnometers which all use the expansion of dry inert gas, according to Boyle's Law, to determine the solid volume of porous samples.
