OUR INSTRUMENTS

Particle Measurement

Our portfolio of particle sizing instruments for better particles

Sympatec develops, produces, sells and supports a portfolio of outstanding instruments for the analysis of particle size and particle shape, in laboratory and process applications. We use constant innovation to make a striking contribution to the development of sustainable and powerful sensor technologies, product-appropriate dispersing and dosing systems, and sampling procedures that are adapted to processes. We offer high-performance, proven system technologies for the reliable characterisation of dry and wet disperse particle collectives such as powder, granules, fibres, suspensions, emulsions, gels, sprays and inhalants with particles ranging in size from under one nanometre to over 30 millimetres.

Our instrument portfolio is based on the four underlying sensor technologies of laser diffraction, dynamic image analysis, ultrasonic extinction and dynamic light scattering with photon cross-correlation spectroscopy. The physical measuring principle has a decisive influence on the instrument design. We maintain a modular system architecture that can be adjusted flexibly for each application as appropriate to the product, so that the products to be investigated do not require elaborate sample preparation in order to fit with the system. Our aim is the measurement of particle systems in their original state. This is achieved through a wide range of dispersion systems and dosing unit options for our HELOS laser diffraction, and dynamic image analysis with QICPIC. The sensor is the heart of the measuring system. Its optical bench defines the integration concept for optional changeable lenses, dispersers and dosing units. The evaluation and management software, which integrates and manages all system components as well as the peripherals, is also part of the central system architecture. Our powerful application software is the shared platform for all the sensor technologies in use.

Our systems are used worldwide in scientific and industrial fields of application

  • In quality control on disperse particle systems | From incoming goods to the end product
  • In product and method development
  • At all stages of “scaling up” of methods and process engineering | From laboratory to production scale
  • In controlling and managing unit operations.

All the instruments provide reliably high-precision, reproducible, and comparable results, with very short measuring times. The use of the same measuring principles ensures excellent particle measurement result comparability between laboratory and process applications.

Our portfolio of particle sizing instruments from 1 nm to 34 mm

Laser diffraction analyser HELOS/BR with dry and wet dispersion OASIS/L and dosing unit VIBRI/L for the determination of particle size distribution.
HELOS | Particle size analysis in laboratory

The proven HELOS series – with its classical laser diffraction set-up deploying a parallel beam – offers a powerful technology for particle size analysis of powders, granules, suspensions, emulsions, sprays and numerous other disperse systems from below 0.1 µm to 8,750 µm. A great variety of dispersing and dosing units provides a flexible adaptation to myriads of industrial and research applications.

Particle size analysis with MYTOS, RODOS and TWISTER with process-coupling
MYTOS & Co. | Particle size analysis in process environment

MYTOS integrates the core particle size technologies of HELOS laser diffraction and RODOS dry dispersion in a single robust body: a process-proven laser diffraction sensor for dry powders ranging from 0.25 μm to 3,500 μm. In combination with the sampling system TWISTER a complete in-line integration into the processing pipe is realised. Alternatively, MYTOS may be operated on-line either with TWISTER, MIXER, L-probes or existing sampling solutions. Integrated at-line operation in automated lab environments is succeeded with vibratory feeder VIBRI.

Particle shape analysis with QICPIC, RODOS/L and VIBRI/L
QICPIC | Particle size and particle shape analysis in laboratory

The modular image analysis sensor QICPIC combines size and shape analysis of particulate systems from 1 µm to 34,000 µm. Flexible adaption to powders, granules, fibres, suspensions and emulsions is provided by a wide range of dispersing and dosing units. Numerous implementations in pharmaceutical and chemical industry, food and beverage technology, and soil science just denote the array of applications in industry and research.

Particle size and shape analysis in process environment for dry powders, granules, suspensions and emulsion
PICTOS & Co. | Particle size and particle shape analysis in process environment

Process-related particle size and shape characterization is realized with integrated image analysis sensors PICTOS, PICTIS & PICCELL covering a size range from 1 µm to 10,000 µm. PICTOS integrates QICPIC dynamic image analysis and RODOS dry dispersion technology in a robust body, which was specifically developed for on-line applications. PICTIS combines image analysis and gentle gravitational disperser GRADIS, allowing at-line or on-line applications in process environments. And PICCELL with its flow-through cuvette finally transfers wet dispersion to on-line operations of image analysis.

Ultrasonic extinction analyser NIMBUS für the determination of particle size distribution and concentration in suspensions, slurries and emulsions
NIMBUS | Particle size and concentration analysis in laboratory

The lab instrument NIMBUS analyses manual samples from 300 ml to 1,000 ml in an easy and comfortable way. The compact system uses the OPUS-technology and consists of identical core components. Therefore the same measuring range from below 0.1 µm to 3,000 µm applies to the instrument. Lab applications are found e.g., in petroleum engineering during the analysis of oil sands or in anode production for aluminium smelting (characterisation of anode grade coke in liquid pitch).

OPUS-AF with rack and pipe or reactor adapter for particle characterisation
OPUS & Co. | Particle size and concentration in laboratory and process environment

The ultrasonic extinction sensor OPUS analyses both the particle size distribution and the concentration of disperse phases in suspensions and emulsions in the range from less than 0.1 micron to 3,000 microns in real time. OPUS is designed as a stable process probe for high temperatures and pressures and can withstand chemical and mechanical stresses. In addition to a dustproof and splashproof IP65 version, OPUS is also available as an ATEX probe. The connection to various processes is via a selection of process adapters. The common communication protocols are available for the exchange of data with your process control system.

Dynamic light scattering sensor NANOPHOX for the determination of particle size in the nano range
NANOPHOX | Particle size analysis and stability of nano suspensions in laboratory

NANOPHOX CS opens up the analysis of the size of nanoparticles with photon cross correlation spectroscopy (PCCS) in turbid suspensions and emulsions in a size range from 0.5 nm to 10,000 nm at up to a hundred times higher solid contents than with conventional DLS instruments. The size analysis is independent of the concentration. Typical applications are e.g., pharmaceutical emulsions, oxides, paints, lacquers and inks as well as the research of nanomaterials in general.

Disperser for dry powders, granules, fibres
RODOS

RODOS dry dispersion, with compressed air and particle accelerations of up to 100 m/s, achieves unique dispersion performance for powder, fibres and granulates, ranging from under 0.1 µm to 4,000 µm. Sample quantities of under 1 mg to 1,500 g are reliably and reproducibly dispersed. Statistically significant analyses are achievable with sample volumes of up to 1,000 ml, even with widely distributed particle systems. The accelerated individual particles are supplied to the HELOS laser diffraction or QICPIC image analysis measurement zone in the aerosol open jet, and precisely measured.

Disperser for fibres and granules
GRADIS

The GRADIS freefall shaft with deflector plate cascade is the go-to choice for dispersing free-flowing powders, fibres and granulate from 10 µm to 10,000 µm. Gentle dispersion – including of larger sample quantities up to 1,000 g – is ideal for coarser or metastable particles that are to be supplied to laser diffraction with HELOS, or image analysis with QICPIC.

disperser for fibre characterisation
FIBROS

FIBROS offers gentle separation and dosing of dry fibre collectives – even those that are heavily entangled. The fibre disperser is adapted to applications with fibres ranging from 500 µm to 30,000 µm in length and 5 µm to 5,000 µm in diameter through the use of different brushes, carding units, and sieves, and is available for fibre characterisation with the QICPIC image analysis sensor.

SUCELL

SUCELL is a fully automated wet disperser, that is fitted with ultrasound for particle size analysis of a suspension or stable emulsion, ranging from 0.1 µm to around 2,000 µm in size. It pumps and analyses volume of 500 ml through a flow cuvette in a closed circuit, and can be used with all sensors of the HELOS laser diffraction family and with the QICPIC image analysis sensor.

Disperser for suspension, emulsion, gels
QUIXEL

QUIXEL is a universal and fully automatic wet dispersion system with an integrated ultrasound generator and optional temperature control. It was developed for particle size analysis on suspensions and emulsions ranging from 0.1 µm to 3,500 µm, using HELOS laser diffraction. Its innovative, tubeless design enables very short measurement cycles, guarantees high chemical resistance, and offers a variable analysis volume from 250 ml to 1,000 l.

CUVETTE

The wet dispersion system CUVETTE has been specially developed for the particle size analysis of smallest quantities with HELOS laser diffraction. It masters suspensions and emulsions with particles from 0.1 µm to 3,500 µm. The sintered stationary glass cuvettes are extremely chemically resistant and offer a minimum of either 6 ml sample volume (with manual stirrer) or 50 ml sample volume (with magnetic stirrer and ultrasonic finger).

Disperser for suspensions and emulsions
LIXELL

With its open and modular design, LIXELL is the most versatile wet dispersion system for the usage in dynamic image analysis with QICPIC, covering a size range from under 1 µm up to 2,000 µm. Using different cuvettes and accessories, countless applications can be realised, starting at a sample volume of 20 ml.

Disperser for coarse particles in liquids
FLOWCELL

Image analysis of coarse suspensions with particles ranging from 10 µm to over 10,000 mm can be tapped with the large volume flow through cuvette FLOWCELL in combination with QICPIC.

Disperser for powders and liquids
OASIS

The OASIS system makes it easy to switch between dry and wet dispersion. A SUCELL mounted at the top of RODOS operates a multifaceted pump circuit for suspensions and emulsions with particles from 0.1 µm to 2,000 µm. Alternatively, the aerosol open jet well-known from RODOS is available for dry samples with particles from 0.1 µm to 4,000 µm. OASIS can be used both with the HELOS range of laser diffraction sensors and in dynamic image analysis with QICPIC.

Dosing unit for dry particle systems
VIBRI

Precise dosing and supply of dry particle systems from milligram to kilogram with constant sample mass-flow.

Micro dosing unit for dry toxic substances in sample vials
ASPIROS

Micro dosing system for smallest amounts of dry active also toxic substances in encapsulated sample vials.

Dosing unit for suspensions and emulsions in a closed-loop
LIQXI

Wet dosing unit LIQXI is the recommended solution for feeding finely dispersed suspensions and emulsions from 1 µm to 500 µm for true-to-method analysis with QICPIC and LIXELL. It uses micro-cuvettes with particularly small gap widths of 30 µm to 1 mm, which provide a film of fluid in the measuring zone that is optimised for image analysis of fine particles.

Dosing unit for wet or dry products in batch mode
MULTISAMPLER

For a high throughput of dry or wet samples, MULTISAMPLER offers a fully-automated sample handling system. Up to 70 sample vials with a volume of 39 ml each is supplied from a rack to the system in batch mode.

Dosing unit for droplet size characterisation
SPRAYER

Dosing unit for actuation of pump sprays for droplet size characterization within generated spray cones with laser diffraction sensor HELOS/BR.

Dosing unit for aerosol analysis DPI’s, MDI’s, nebulizers, pump and propellant gas sprays
INHALER

Dosing unit for aerosol analysis of DPI’s, MDI’s, nebulizers, pump ans propellant gas sprays with laser diffraction sensor HELOS/BR.

SMACTOR

Dosing unit for particle and droplet size analysis within spray cones of metered dose aerosols, pump or propellant gas sprays with laser diffraction sensor HELOS/KR-Vario.

TWISTER

The dynamic sampler TWISTER is designed for use in pipes with a diameter from 38 mm to 800 mm and is suitable for bulk solids that are transported pneumatically or in a downpipe with particle sizes ranging from 0.25 µm to 3,500 µm. By scanning the entire pipe cross-section with a probe, a representative subsample is obtained and continuously analysed in real-time. The TWISTER sampling system with downstream MYTOS laser diffraction system can be installed in-line or on-line. The combination with PICTOS image analysis is realised as an on-line system.

MIXER

MIXER is installed as an on-line solution in a bypass line to the process stream, usually downstream of a sampling screw or an air slide sampler in lines with high mass flow rates. Vibrating screen decks enforce a homogenization of the product stream, of which a static probe then extracts an analysis sample – typically combined with the MYTOS laser diffraction system for dry powders with particles from 0.25 µm to 1,750 µm.

SCREWSAMPLER

The compact screw sampler obtains meaningful analysis samples from bulk solids in the downpipe that only have a limited flow capacity. SCREWSAMPLER is suitable for real-time analyses of powders with particles from 0.25 µm to 1,750 µm. It is combined as an on-line system with the laser diffraction sensor MYTOS or the dynamic PICTOS image analysis and integrated RODOS dry dispersion.

Probes

The compact single-point sampling probes for dry, disperse products in particle size ranges from 0.25 µm to 3,500 µm are suitable for pipe diameters from 65 mm to 250 mm. They can be combined for on-line analyses with MYTOS laser diffraction systems and PICTOS image analysis systems with integrated RODOS dry dispersion.

Computer

Our computer-controlled sensors, dosing and dispersing systems are combined with selected peripherals to form perfectly coordinated and permanently reliable measurement systems that are best suited to characterise the most challenging of dry and wet disperse products. All of the components we use are thoroughly tested and guarantee a seamless interplay within the optimum system configuration for the relevant application.

Extraction

The dispersion and measurement of fine, airborne solid particles or droplets require reliable extraction systems. Professional industrial vacuum cleaners deliver contamination-free measurement and working conditions under constant flow conditions.

Compressed Air

The injection dispersion of dry powders in RODOS takes its energy from the compressed air supplied. In addition to providing an adequate supply in terms of capacity and operating pressure, a key requirement here is that the air quality is free of particles, humidity and oil.

LIQIBACK

By reprocessing expensive and environmentally harmful dispersing liquids, we contribute to a sustainable and resource saving reuse. The LIQIBACK liquid reprocessing system can be integrated in all of our wet measurement circuits.

PAQXOS - Intuitive and Versatile Control and Evaluation Platform

PAQXOS succeeds the well proven WINDOX application software and incorporates our collective particle sizing expertise into a user-friendly and forward-thinking framework. A newly developed, freely adaptable user interface, fully automated system detection, intelligent step-by-step wizard and the efficient SOP management ensure efficient and reliable measurement applications in laboratory and process.

Installation environments

Our portfolio contains instruments for both traditional laboratory operation – which are used as individual position applications – and integrated systems that can be incorporated into laboratory automation or process control systems. All the measurement systems feature a certain level of modularity, enabling the system configuration to be ideally adapted to the measurement task, specific product features, or process requirements. The possible types of installation differ in particular with respect to the type of sampling, sample preparation, and sample feeding, as well as measurement frequency and the similarity or variability of the samples to be measured – along with closeness to the process both physically and in terms of timing. The spectrum ranges from traditional laboratory analysis (off-line), in which the sample is fed in manually; to solutions in central production laboratories and automated sample infeed (at-line); to real process analysis in which the system is connected directly to the process (on-line); or directly into the line carrying the product, or a reactor (in-line).

Particle characterisation in lab and automated lab

The analysis of physical parameters, such as particle size or particle shape, with respect to quality control and the monitoring of processes, is part of the required repertoire for many laboratories. If there are several points in a process that need monitoring, a central laboratory in combination with sampling and sample transport systems is an efficient solution for automated control of complete production lines. We offer proven, modular measurement technologies that adapt to the needs of the samples to be investigated and provide reliable measurement results. Our innovative methods include laser diffraction, dynamic image analysis, ultrasonic extinction, and dynamic light scattering.

Particle measurement in production environments and process applications

Controlling and managing processes in real-time is the most effective way to ensure high-quality production with optimum use of resources. The application of process measurement technologies guarantees close control of critical, quality-relevant process parameters, and also enables prompt interventions into the process. Representative sampling, product-appropriate dispersion, and sensitive sensors for recording and evaluating the relevant sample are all important for obtaining valid and meaningful measurement results in processes. We offer powerful and low-maintenance process measurement technology for the analysis of particle size and particle shape, based on laser diffraction, dynamic image analysis, and ultrasonic extinction.