Thermogravimetry is a standard method to analyze organic, inorganic and synthetic materials. Thermogravimetric analysis in general means the measurement of the weight loss during a user-defined temperature or heating process.
ELTRA’s TGA Thermostep is a thermogravimetric analyzer which determines various parameters such as moisture, volatiles and ash at user-defined temperatures and atmospheres in a single analysis. The thermogravimetrics analyzer TGA Thermostep simultaneously analyzes up to 19 samples with sample weights up to 5 g and can be operated at temperatures up to 1000 °C.
A special feature of the TGA Thermostep is the management of crucible covers. The thermogravimetric analyzer can place and remove the covers of the crucibles during analysis. This feature allows for example the precise determination of volatile content in coal and coke.
ELTRA TGA analyzers are an ideal alternative to standard laboratory ovens and muffle furnaces for thermogravimetric analysis. Thanks to a programmable furnace that is connected to an integrated balance, heating and weighing are combined in one instrument. This saves time-consuming manual work and allows for high sample throughput. In addition, typical parameters such as moisture, ash and volatiles can be determined in one analysis run.
The TGA Thermostep processes up to 19 different samples, typically weighing between 500 mg and 5 g, in one analysis cycle. The surrounding atmosphere and temperature of up to 1,000 °C within the heating chamber can be freely defined by the user during analysis to create a standard operating procedure. The crucible lids, covering of the samples, can be raised or lowered at each stage of the analysis, thus allowing for safe and ASTM-compliant determination of volatiles in coal samples.
The TGA Thermostep is a powerful thermogravimetric analyzer characterized by robust design, high precision and flexibility. It is possible to apply different atmospheres and to use sample weights of up to 5 g. The Thermostep reliably and efficiently measures parameters such as moisture, ash and volatiles according to a user-defined SOP.
Operation of the TGA Thermostep is simple, convenient and safe. After selecting the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in the PC, the sample ID’s can be entered into the software. The samples are then weighed in the crucible at the position assigned to the sample ID in the carousel. After one sample has been weighed, the carousel automatically rotates to the next position and the next registered sample can then be weighed in the crucible. Alternatively, a carousel filled with samples which has been weighed externally, can be placed into the analyzer.
It is also possible to position a second carousel with crucible lids above the crucibles. Once the analysis is finished, a new cycle can be started after a short cool-down period.
Weighing the sample
Option: Crucible lids
Display of analysis results
The ELTRA TGA Thermostep software provides all necessary features for a fast, easy, safe and reliable thermogravimetric analysis.
The TGA software can provide different content of the TGA measurement
The results table displays the current available measurement data.
For a better overview on the current analysis status, the user can create an own layout of the screen
Due to the flexible application management the TGA Thermostep can measure TGA parameters in many samples like coal, coke, building materials, food ...
The TGA Thermostep can determine the parameter moisture, volatile and ash in one analysis cycle due the automatic placing and removing of lids. The TGA is compliant to ASTM D 7582.
Building materials require the measurement of moisture and loss on ignition (LOI). The LOI can indicate the presence of organic matter or carbonates.
Some foods like pet foods, biscuits, or milk require the measurement of dry mass and ash content. Due to the encapsuled weighing cell even the ash content of fluor could be measured safe and precise.
| Measured elements | ash content, moisture, volatiles |
| Samples | inorganic, organic, synthetic |
| Field of application | agriculture, biology, chemistry / plastics, coal / power plant, construction materials, environment / recycling, food, geology / mining, glass / ceramics, medicine / pharmaceuticals |
| Furnace | resistance heated ceramic furnace, programmable in 1 °C steps from 50 °C up to 1000 °C |
| Detection method | balance |
| Max. number of samples | 19 crucibles + 1 reference crucible |
| Balance resolution | 0.0001 g |
| Balance precision | 0.02 % RSD |
| Gas required | depends on application: oxygen 99.9 % pure (2 - 4 bar) and,or nitrogen 99.9 % pure (2 - 4 bar) and air 99.5 % (5 - 6 bar) |
| Power requirements | 230 V, 50/60 Hz, max. 32 A |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 55 x 52 x 62 cm |
| Weight | ~ 65 kg |
| Required equipment | PC, monitor, external exhaust (exhaust diameter: 100 mm / blower with 4m-3/min) |
Operation of the thermogravimetric analyzer TGA Thermostep is simple and convenient. The measurement process has to be defined once regarding the used temperatures, atmospheres and heating ranges. To start the thermogravimetric analysis, a predefined process simply has to be chosen in the software and the sample has to be weighed into the crucible. All further steps are processed automatically. All data processing, control of the measurement process and calculating of the result is done by an external PC with Windows®-based software. Thermogravimetric analysis of moisture, volatile and ash content requires about 4 hours.
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