IKAPOL

SC-800 Surfaces-Carbon Determinator		Carbon/Sulfur models CS-530, CS-2000 Oxygen/Nitrogen models ON-900, ONH-2000

Overview
The SC-800 is designed for the determination of carbon on the surface of metals, ceramics, glass, etc. using up to date combustion technology. The detection method is infrared absorption of CO2. The SC-800 can be supplied with two independent infrared cells. The sensitivity of these cells can be customized to meet specific requirements. The IR-absorption lenghts can be individually selected to offer optimum precision for the analysis of high and low levels of carbon. The SC-800 features a microcontroller, a high temperature resistance furnace and solid state infrared detectors with auto zero and auto range control.

Operating technique

The sample surface is entered into the PC, in cm². The sample is put into the combustion boat. The quartz glass boat with the sample is placed into the open end of the combustion tube. Then the start key is pressed and the analysis cycle beginns. The boat is pushed into the hot zone of the furnace. At the end of the cycle the analysis results appear on the monitor of a connected PC.

Gas dose calibration

The SC-800 can be calibrated with standard samples or alternatively, by a built-in gas dosing device using CO₂ calibration gas. The calibration value is entered into the memory in mgC/dm². After starting the calibration analysis cycle, the gas dosing device injects a certain volume of calibration gas CO₂ into the gas flow system. After the end of the cycle, the analyzer is calibrated.

Electronic flow controler

An essential part of the gas flow system is the electronic flow controller. This provides a stable gas flow, thus eliminating the known disadvantages of mechanical flow controllers. The instrument operates at atmospheric pressure thus reducing the problems of leaks associated with pressurized systems.

PC control with Windows 2000/XP software
Comprehensive analyser control and easy operation are provided by the software running on PC, connected to the analyser. Click software from the main menu for more information about software.

Infrared Cells
		The infrared cells of the SC-800 do not require any manual zero adjustments. The zero and sensitivity adjustments of the infrared cells are permanently and automatically controlled by the electronics. The detectors utilize solid state sensors combined with infrared filters. The sensors are not gas filled, thus eliminating long term problems due to gas leakage. The SC-800 can be equipped with up to two independent infrared cells for carbon determination. The lengths of both cells can be individually optimized, to obtain maximum precision for the target analysis levels of each customer. Each of the cells can be installed with infrared absorption lengths ranging between 1mm and 320mm.

Sample sluice

The unique design of the sluice for entering the sample into the furnace eliminates the risk of getting air and consequently also CO₂ into the system. This is a very essential aspect, for the following reasons:
1. The infrared detector is very sensitive in CO₂, in order to keep the detection limit as low as possible.
2. The open diameter of the combustion tube must be very large, in order to enable the analysis of big samples.
3. The oxygen consumption should be as low as possible, which means low oxygen flow coming out of the furnace open end preventing the air from entering the system.

The solution:

The open end of the combustion tube is reduced to a small hole of a quartz part, during stand-by respective before and after every analysis.

The boat with the sample is pulled into a boat holder before entering the furnace.

The boat is hooked to the quartz closure and the boat holder is pushed over the combustion tube. The boat is then pushed by using the same stick, up to the hot zone. After the end of the analysis, the boat is pulled out of the furnace and is removed in the boat holder. The quartz closure remains inside the open end of the combustion tube, as it was before the analysis.

Next: SC-800 Specifications