Particle Size Analyzer

Elzone® II 5390

Widely accepted as a primary particle characterization technique, the electricalsensing zone method is recognized as a highly effective method of counting and sizing a wide variety of organic and inorganicmaterials. Unlike other measurement tech-niques, the electrical sensing zone methodcan analyze samples that have assortedoptical properties, densities, colors, andshapes. Micromeritics’ Elzone particle size analyzer uses this powerful particle

Superior Particle Sizing/Counting Capability in a Small Package

Elzone® II 5390 Particle Size Analyzer

Ease of Use

• The Elzone features automatic start-up,run, and shut-down routines. Operatorattention is not required after a run is initiated.

• Automated blockage detection and clearingallows uninterrupted analysis.

• Automated flushing/rinsing. There is noneed to perform this task manually prior toor after an analysis.

• Automatic or manual calibration can beperformed to accommodate different particle types and shapes.

New, Improved Design

• The use of mercury is not required to perform concentration analysis. A meteringpump allows for precise concentrationanalysis, eliminating the need for a mercury manometer.

• A grease-free connect/disconnect mechanism for the orifice tube eliminatesproblems with particles getting trapped ina grease film. Orifice cleaning is simplifiedsince hydrophobic grease does not haveto be removed.

• A Faraday shield allows detector electronics to be shielded from externalsources of electronic interference. Inreduced electrical interference areas, it is possible to operate the instrumentwith its doors open.

• Orifice tubes from older Elzone modelsand certain competitive instruments canbe used with the new Elzone II.

characterization technique to determinequickly and accurately the size, number,concentration, and mass of finely dividedmaterials. The instrument determines particlesize in a range suitable for a wide variety ofindustrial, biological, and geological speci-mens down to 0.4 μm. The Elzone’s highlevel of accuracy and resolution, speed, and ease of use make it equally suitable forindustry, quality control, and research anddevelopment laboratories.

Typical Elzone Applications

Biological Materials – Biotech researchdepends on accurate measurements.Particle sizing of blood cells, platelets, bacteria, plant cells, mammalian cells, yeast,pollen, spores, and many other types ofmaterials is typically done by population(number). Data collected are the number ofcells per milliliter and/or the population distribution of cells. For example, these datacan indicate to a researcher if a processadequately reduces the bacteria populationin drinking water. Population data can alsobe used to evaluate fermentation processes.

Abrasives – For an abrasive material toperform as specified, it is important that ithave an appropriate size distribution withno particles above or below the intendedsize range. To make sure that each batchmeets specifications, the sample must beanalyzed as a volume (weight) and popula-tion (number) distribution. The volume distribution is used to ensure that the rangeand mean sizes are within specifications,and also that there are no oversized particlesin the sample.

Emulsions – Elzone results can be used todetermine shelf life, proper emulsification,and droplet size of a wide variety of emul-sions including pharmaceuticals, foods, andlubricants. Because the Elzone measuresthe volume of a particle, the data are littleaffected if the droplets change shape asthey pass through the orifice tube.

Toner and Inks – It is important that theparticles have a narrow size distribution intoners or inks for printing. If there are anylarge particles, printer nozzles can clog orstreaks can be left on prints. Both volumeand population data are useful in analyzingtoners and inks.

Filtration – Population data illustrate howmuch material is being removed by a filter.Volume data will determine the minimum sizeparticles the filter is capable of removing.Therefore, Elzone results can be used todetermine how a filter is performing. This is useful for water treatment, beverage processing (beer, soft drinks, etc.), injectables(pharmaceuticals), pollution control, andmany other filtration applications.

Elzone II Advantages

• Counts and sizes organic and inorganic materials

• Suitable for analyzing samples of mixedoptical properties, densities, and shapes

• Higher resolution than with other particlesizing methods

• Low quantities of sample are analyzedaccurately and easily

• Compact size conserves laboratory benchspace

• Plot overlays to compare analysis resultswith those of product standards or otheranalysis results

• Extensive statistical analysis featuresincluded

• 21 CFR part 11 software option

Electrical Sensing Zone Method

The Elzone uses the electrical sensing zone method (Coulter principle) of particlemeasurement. One advantageous charac-teristic of this measurement technique that differentiates it from the laser light scatteringmethod is that Elzone data are unaffected bysamples that have mixed optical properties,colors, and shapes. Furthermore, samplescomposed of materials having differentdensities also can be measured accurately.Particle size determination is dependent onlyon the volume of electrolyte displaced by aparticle as it flows through the sensing zone.

Another advantage of this technique is that the size distribution is determined byanalyzing, one at a time, each particle froma representative subset of the introducedsample quantity. This particle-by-particleanalysis technique provides accurate particlecount data and, when combined withMicromeritics’ precision volume meteringoption, provides accurate number concen-tration data.

Sensitivity as it relates to particle sizeanalysis is the ability to detect small changesin the amount of material at a given size.This ability is very important to processeswhere a few particles either larger than orsmaller than the bulk of the population iscritical. As examples, a few large abrasiveparticles can leave deep gouges in a finishedsurface and a few small particles of chro-matography packing materials can increaseback pressure. The Elzone is sensitive tosmall quantities of oversized and undersizedparticles in a given sample.

Effective Method for Sizing/Counting Organic and Inorganic Materials

The sample (a dry powder, paste, or emul-sion) is dispersed at low concentration inan electrolyte solution. This dispersion isplaced in a sample cup that also containsan electrode. A closed end glass tube isimmersed in the dispersion. In the side of

this tube and below the liquid surface is aprecision hole (orifice) and within the glasstube is a second electrode. Applying a partialvacuum to the tube interior causes the disper-sion to be drawn through the orifice forming aconductive path between the electrodes.

Power Indicator Light

Orifice Tube

Camera (optional)Stirrer

ExternalElectrode

Orifice Light(optional)

SampleContainerElevator

Waste Overflow Sensor

Waste LiquidConnections

Analysis LiquidSupply Connection

The small diameter of the orifice, its shortpath length, and the dilute dispersion assuresthat for the great majority of the time particlespass through the orifice one at a time. Eachparticle while in the orifice displaces a volumeof electrolyte equal to its own volume.Displacement of the electrolyte impedes the

current flow between the electrodes andproduces an electrical pulse, the amplitude ofwhich is proportional to the particle volume.The Elzone counts the pulses and sortsthem by amplitude and pulse width. Thisprovides the data from which is calculatedthe particle population.

Data Reduction andPresentation

• Off-line software allows the user to workwith data or design analysis protocols without being at the instrument.

• Capability to cut and paste data tables andexport data as spreadsheet and ASCII files.

Superior Data Presentation Capability

Simultaneous analysis of 5 monodisperse latex standards - Standards such as these

are used to calibrate diameters determined using the Elzone II. Here the high degree

of size resolution possible with the Elzone II is illustrated.

Complete analysis of broadly dispersed chocolate sample, a mixture of cocoa

powder, sugar, and milk solids. Analysis data from three orifice tubes are

merged together automatically by the Elzone II software.

Volume and number distributions calculated for an analysis of a commercial

cornstarch. The number distribution is comparable to a microscope analysis.

The volume distribution is comparable to the results from the other particle size

analyzers such as the Micromeritics SediGraph and Saturn DigiSizer, or that

from sieve analysis. Note that the Elzone II produces directly a number-based

distribution. The equivalent spherical volume distribution is calculated from

the number distribution.

• Plot overlays make it possible to compareanalysis results directly with the results ofproduct standards or other analysis results.

• The new Elzone allows you to read,reduce, and report data obtained from aprevious Elzone. Additionally, you have the capability to read and overlay datafrom the SediGraph and the SaturnDigiSizer®, and to read text data files.

• Compare data from other instruments byreading formatted text files or by manuallyentering information.

• Elzone II is fully compatible withInternational Standard ISO 13319Determination of particle size distribution –Electrical sensing zone method.

Confirm Software for theElzone

The optional Confirm software addressesFDA’s 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for submitting documentation in electronicform. Its features include assuring datasecurity, maintenance of time-stampedaudit trails, authority checks, passwordaging, and data reporting. You can restassured that we have provided you with allof the features and tools necessary to

maintain compliance with the highest levelof data integrity possible. Service includesverification of instrument calibration and acomprehensive test of the complete systemusing established conditions and referencematerials. If your company needs record-keeping and validation capabilities, Confirm

software makes it extremely useful acrossall industries. It’s a great way for all companies to keep track of their data andprovide verification of their analyses.

To request a quote or additional product

information, visit Micromeritics’ website

at www.micromeritics.com, contact your

local Micromeritics sales representative,

or our Customer Service Department at

(770) 662-3636.

Overlay of cumulative volume percent finer than diameter and volume frequency,

for a medium garnet abrasive powder, analyzed with the Elzone II and the

Micromeritics SediGraph. The Elzone II reporting system can report size

distributions determined using other Micromeritics particle size analysis

instruments such as the SediGraph and Saturn DigiSizer.

Sales and Service Support

With U.S. corporate headquarters inNorcross (Atlanta), Georgia, Micromeriticshas an extensive worldwide sales and servicenetwork. The company offers direct coveragelocated in the United States, England,Germany, Benelux, Switzerland, France,Italy, and China. In addition, the company’scustomers are served by a specially trainedlocal distribution network covering oversixty-five countries who both sell and serviceMicromeritics’ instruments. A training facility at the Norcross headquarters offersa regular schedule of instrument operatortraining courses.

Micromeritics Instrument CorporationOne Micromeritics DriveNorcross, GA 30093-1877 USATelephones:U.S. Sales (770) 662-3633International Sales (770) 662-3660Fax (770) 662-3696

Micromeritics ChinaApt. 5H, No. 1 BuildingHua-Ao (Epoch) CenterNo. 31 Zi Zhu Yuan RoadHai Dian DistrictBeijing 100089 P.R. CHINATelephone (+86) (0)10-6848-9371Fax (+86) (0)10-6848-9371

Micromeritics France S.A.Parc AlataRue Antoine Laurent LavoisierF-60550 Verneuil en HalatteFRANCETelephone (+33) (0)3 44 64 60 80Fax (+33) (0)3 44 64 60 89

Micromeritics GmbHErftstrasse 54D-41238 Mönchengladbach GERMANYTelephone (+49) (0)2166-98708-0Fax (+49) (0)2166-98708-88

Micromeritics Ltd.Unit 2, Chestnut House178-182 High Street NorthDunstable, Bedfordshire LU56 1AT ENGLANDTelephone (+44) (0)1582-475248Fax (+44) (0)1582-475252

Micromeritics N.V./S.A.Eugene Plaskylaan 140B1030 Brussels BELGIUMTelephone (+32) (0)2-743-39-74Fax (+32) (0)2-743-39-79

Micromeritics SRLVia W. Tobagi n. 26/720068 Peschiera BorromeoMilano ITALYTelephone (+39) (0)2 553 02833Fax (+39) (0)2 553 02843

www.micromeritics.com