The FlowSorb III 2305 and 2310 models from Micromeritics both measure the surface area of powdered/granulated solids and porous materials using the flowing gas method.
They deliver single-point and multipoint BET surface area measurements accurately, reliably and speedily.
The flowing gas technique involves the continuous flow of an adsorptive and inert gas mixture over a sample at atmospheric pressure and the determination of the quantity of the gas that is adsorbsed as a single monomolecular layer on the sample.
If the adsorption is carried out at or near the boiling point of the adsorbate gas, the area covered by each gas molecule is known within relatively narrow limits.
This means the area of the sample can then be calculated directly from the number of adsorbed molecules, which is derived from the gas quantity at the prescribed conditions, and the area that each molecule occupies.
Generally, unless special circumstances dictate otherwise, nitrogen is the adsorbate of choice, but the FlowSorb III can be adapted to any non-corrosive adsorbate mix.
The Flow-Sorb III is simple in design with all controls and displays at eye/arm level, away from any spill zone.
The cold trap is located in front of the instrument, which is more convenient than the side placement found in similar instruments and reduces the chances of breakage.
Minimal operator training is required and mode switching for adsorption and desorption is fully automatic.
The ultra-stable detector eliminates drift and the need for any constant readjustment.
The single injection calibration provides for a fast start-up and high sample throughputs are thus easily achieved, with minimal possibility of operator error.
There are especially designed sample holders that can be easily attached and removed from the instrument with one hand and the quick connect/disconnects have a built-in isolation valve to prevent sample contamination.
There are five different types of sample tubes available with a monolith-type tube for large samples.
This means samples with surface areas from 0.01 m2/g to over 1,000 m2/g are easily accommodated. All of these features combine to give reproducibility better than 0.5%.
The FlowSorb III 2305 model features a Dewar support latch system that provides one-handed convenience and safeguards against LN2 spills.
The FlowSorb III 2310 model features a built-in Dewar elevator for completely automated analysis and a rewarming fan for rapidly heating the sample tube to further increase sample analysis times.
The low purchase price of the Micromeritics FlowSorb III surface area analyzer models and accessories make these instruments a cost effective way for researchers to begin measuring BET surface areas for a wide range of particles, granulated solids and porous materials.
