Selective Adsorption Analyzer (SAA)

Precision controlled breakthrough analyzer – designed to fulfil your adsorption needs

Automated
Minimized “Dead Volume”
Proprietary mixing valves
High pressure applications (10 bar)
Precise temperature controls

The Selective Adsorption Analyzer SAA is a gas delivery system based upon the technology of PID Engineering and Technology, a Micromeritics company. The SAA is often referred to as a Breakthrough Analyzer because of its ability to generate breakthrough curves. The primary components of the system include mass flow controllers, blending valves, vapor sources, temperature control, and a sample column for evaluating adsorbents.

The basic procedure for evaluating an adsorbent candidate includes: activation of the adsorbent (degassing generally under elevated temperatures), flow a mixture of gases or vapors through the column containing the adsorbent, and monitor the composition of the effluent gas from the column containing the adsorbent. The quantity of gas adsorbed may be determined from a simple mass balance using the mass flow entering the column minus the mass flow of components exiting the column. This difference is the accumulation (adsorption) of components from the gas phase.

Features and Benefits:

Optimized and minimized “dead volumes”
Simple column design with exceptional flow control enables multiple gases to be used with highly controlled blending
Sample column is housed in a precisely temperature-controlled hotbox, particularly important for maintaining constant temperatures and preventing condensation of vapor streams
Proprietary blending valves provide remarkable advantages for gas mixing and minimization of system “dead volume”
System scalability that enables expansion of capabilities over time through addition of detectors and other optional accessories (e.g. Mass Spectrometer, GC/MS, others available upon request)

Specifications

Gas Inlets	2 to 5
Gas Compatibility	Carriers and most analyte and reactive gases, inquire about corrosive gases
Mass Flow Controllers	One for each of the 2 to 5 inlets Dedicated CO₂ MFCs are available
Vapour Source	Available on up to 3 gas lines
Gas Flow Rates	Full-scale flow rates 1, 10, 100 sccm (other configurations available upon request)
Column Capacity	Typically 50 mg to 5 grams with standard columns (other configurations available upon request)
Columns	Typically, ¼” standard columns, SS (other configurations available upon request)
Column Temperature	Ambient temperature to 450 °C for analysis or preparation (other temperature ranges available upon request)
Pressure Range	Atmospheric to 10 bar
System Temperatures	All blend valves and flow tubing located inside a temperature controlled zone at up to 150 °C
Detectors	Column outlets can be conveniently sampled by a mass spectrometer, infrared, or other detectors (MKS mass spec. options available with delivery)
Base Unit Physical	Base unit physical: 79 cm (H) 75 cm (W) 58 cm (D) and 120 kg weight, or 31 in (H) 30 in (W) 23 in (D) and 265 lbs weight
Electrics	220 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Operating Environmental	Operates at 0 °C to 40 °C and up to 60% humidity
Data Analysis	Micromeritics MicroActive software is included for reviewing the breakthrough curves and calculating quantities adsorbed This platform also gives users the ability to enter their own data reduction routines via a Python interface
Compatibility	Windows 10 platforms and similar

Technology

Innovative Design: Selective Adsorption Analyzer (SAA) Hardware Advantages

The Selective Adsorption Analyzer (SAA) features stainless steel construction, fully automated flow and pressure control, a touch screen for monitoring and adjusting process conditions, and a graphical user interface for complete control of the reactor system. The hotbox provides a stable operating environment to ensure that adsorption analyses are finely temperature controlled.

Features two to five gas inlet streams (available in 1, 10, and 100 mlN/min), allowing you to create custom gas mixtures or perform sequential experiments while activating your samples each step along the way
Customizable to include up to three vapor streams
Gas inlet streams are equipped with high precision mass flow controllers capable of handling a variety of gas streams (EPDM available for CO2 gas streams and Viton for N2 and hydrocarbon flows) and high pressures (up to 10 bar) to meet your experimental needs
Proprietary mixing valves allow for minimized “dead volume” when running experiments

Sealed internal system, ensures that your gas and vapor streams maintain a constant temperature, allowing you to achieve the most accurate breakthrough results
Furnace can operate up to 450°C and users can set any temperature ramp rate allowing for maximum control during degassing and sample activation

The Selective Adsorption Analyzer is also referred to as a breakthrough analyzer because of its ability to generate breakthrough curves. Breakthrough curves consist of three components (See figure below). 1) Complete Adsorption – the adsorbent completely adsorbs the target gas species such that none can be detected at the outlet of the sample column. 2) Breakthrough – the target gas is first detected at the outlet of the sample column. Gas continues to adsorb, however the adsorbent is no longer able to adsorb the entirety of the gas that is entering the sample column. 3) Saturation – the adsorbent has reached saturation and can no longer adsorb the target gas allowing it to pass through the column.

Figure: A typical breakthrough curve broken down into three components

Accessories

Quote accessories

Application

Common Applications:

Gas separation, storage, & purification
Breakthrough analysis
CO2 capture

Adsorption selectivity
Evaluation of next generation adsorbent materials such as MOFs, COFs, ZIFs, zeolites, activated carbons, silica gels, activated alumina, molecular sieve carbon, carbide-derived carbons, porous polymers & resins

Common Test Performed: