ELEMENTRAC CS‑d

Description

FULL FLEXIBILITY WITH TWO FURNACES

•  Full flexibility due to combined induction and resistance furnace: ELTRA Dual Furnace (EDF) Technology
•  Rapid and accurate carbon & sulfur analysis in inorganic and organic samples
•  Up to four independent infrared cells with flexible measuring ranges
•  Gold IR path allows for increased cell lifetime for analysis of halogen- or acid-containing samples
•  Simultaneous carbon and sulfur determination with minimum sample preparation
•  Robust design allows usage in production control and laboratory

•  Full flexibility due to combined induction and resistance furnace: ELTRA Dual Furnace (EDF) Technology
•  Rapid and accurate carbon & sulfur analysis in inorganic and organic samples
•  Up to four independent infrared cells with flexible measuring ranges
•  Gold IR path allows for increased cell lifetime for analysis of halogen- or acid-containing samples
•  Simultaneous carbon and sulfur determination with minimum sample preparation
•  Robust design allows usage in production control and laboratory

CONFIGURATIONS

The ELEMENTRAC CS-d is available as a single-element analyzer for carbon or sulfur only, or in a configuration for simultaneous measurement of both carbon and sulfur. It uses up to four IR cells for this purpose which can be adapted to individual requirements. As the length of the cuvette increases, so does the sensitivity for low concentrations (e. g. 10 ppm). Shorter cells can still measure samples with low levels in the ppm range, but the standard deviation of the measured values increases significantly. For optimum measurement of low and high concentrations, it is therefore recommended to use two IR cells per element. The latest detector technology enables a wide measuring range for carbon and sulfur from the ppm range up to 100 % in both induction and resistance furnace. In addition, gold cuvettes installed as standard offer greater reliability for elemental analysis of samples containing halogens.

A special option for the ELEMENTRAC CS-d is a halogen trap to reliably bind even very high halogen concentrations. The carbon / sulfur analyzer can also be delivered in a special configuration for the analysis of cement.

INFRARED CELLS WITH FLEXIBLE MEASURING RANGE

INFRARED CELLS WITH FLEXIBLE MEASURING RANGE

INTEGRATED STANDARD SOLUTIONS

The ELEMENTRAC CS-d offers intelligent solutions as standard features to provide accurate and reliable measurement of the carbon and sulfur concentrations also in complex sample:

Intelligent Lance Management

Due to the high temperatures in the induction furnace of >2000 °C and the high oxygen flow of 180 L/hour, solid samples of all types are completely decomposed, allowing for determination of the C/S content with the aid of infrared measuring cells. Here, thorough combustion ensures reliable measurement results.

Since powder samples might splash out of the crucible, which could lead to results below the actual value, the CS-d features an intelligent lance and combustion management system to ensure complete combustion without sample loss.

For this purpose, the oxygen flow to be dosed can be applied via a lance or the chamber to prevent blowing of the sample and allowing for controlled combustion. The ramping function of the induction furnace enables a gentle combustion process by gradual power increase.

Intelligent Lance Management

Due to the high temperatures in the induction furnace of >2000 °C and the high oxygen flow of 180 L/hour, solid samples of all types are completely decomposed, allowing for determination of the C/S content with the aid of infrared measuring cells. Here, thorough combustion ensures reliable measurement results.

Since powder samples might splash out of the crucible, which could lead to results below the actual value, the CS-d features an intelligent lance and combustion management system to ensure complete combustion without sample loss.

For this purpose, the oxygen flow to be dosed can be applied via a lance or the chamber to prevent blowing of the sample and allowing for controlled combustion. The ramping function of the induction furnace enables a gentle combustion process by gradual power increase.

Sample port in the resistance furnace (blank value reduction)

The ELEMENTRAC CS-d provides accurate and reliable analysis of samples with a low carbon content in the resistance furnace. Thanks to the optimized sample port geometry with reduced diameter and oxygen flushing at the sample entrance, the CO2 blank value of the atmosphere is drastically reduced when the sample is introduced which allows for reliable results in the low measuring range.

Sample port in the resistance furnace (blank value reduction)

The ELEMENTRAC CS-d provides accurate and reliable analysis of samples with a low carbon content in the resistance furnace. Thanks to the optimized sample port geometry with reduced diameter and oxygen flushing at the sample entrance, the CO2 blank value of the atmosphere is drastically reduced when the sample is introduced which allows for reliable results in the low measuring range.

Options

In addition to the integrated features of the ELEMENTRAC CS-d, further options are available to increase the efficiency of the carbon / sulfur measurement.

AUTOLOADER

The induction furnace of the ELEMENTRAC CS-d can be equipped with an optional automatic sample loader. The standard module offers 36 crucible positions, the XL model even features 130 positions. It is the largest Autoloader available in the market for this type of application.

TIC MODULE

Carbon can be determined as total carbon (TC) or in fractions, i. e. total organic carbon (TOC) or total inorganic carbon (TIC). When combined with the CS-d, ELTRA’s TIC module measures the TIC content (e. g. lime) by acidification in products like soil or construction materials.

AUTOLOADER

The induction furnace of the ELEMENTRAC CS-d can be equipped with an optional automatic sample loader. The standard module offers 36 crucible positions, the XL model even features 130 positions. It is the largest Autoloader available in the market for this type of application.

TIC MODULE

Carbon can be determined as total carbon (TC) or in fractions, i. e. total organic carbon (TOC) or total inorganic carbon (TIC). When combined with the CS-d, ELTRA’s TIC module measures the TIC content (e. g. lime) by acidification in products like soil or construction materials.

Software

The comprehensive Windows-based ELEMENTS software is an essential part of all ELEMENTRAC generation elemental analyzers.

A central window (analysis and results) is the starting point from which all functionalities required for the daily routine are easily accessible. From here it is possible to group and export analyzed samples, or register and analyze new ones. The user may call up various subordinate functionalities like application settings, calibration, diagnosis, or status.

The comprehensive Windows-based ELEMENTS software is an essential part of all ELEMENTRAC generation elemental analyzers.

A central window (analysis and results) is the starting point from which all functionalities required for the daily routine are easily accessible. From here it is possible to group and export analyzed samples, or register and analyze new ones. The user may call up various subordinate functionalities like application settings, calibration, diagnosis, or status.

TYPICAL SAMPLE MATERIALS

Alloys, ashes, carbides, cast iron, cement, ceramics, coal, coke, copper, glass, gypsum, iron, limestone, metals, minerals, oil, ores, plant materials, refractory metals, rubber, sand, soil, steel, titanium, tobacco

FUNCTIONAL PRINCIPLE

Regardless of which furnace is used in the ELEMENTRAC CS-d, the carbon and sulfur in the sample forms gaseous molecules like SO2 and CO2 during combustion. The released amounts of CO2 and SO2 are measured in up to 4 element-selective infrared cells. Usually, two IR cells are used for measuring one gas (CO2 or SO2) to ensure that both very low and very high concentrations are analyzed precise and correctly.

When the induction furnace of the CS-d is used, the carrier gas (oxygen) and the combustion products (CO2, traces of CO, and SO2) are first led through a metallic filter to remove all solid particles. Afterwards, a tube filled with magnesium perchlorate removes traces of water. The dried combustion gas then passes up to two infrared cells for sulfur (SO2) measurement. Afterwards, a heated catalyst (usually platinized silica) oxidizes the traces of carbon monoxide (CO) to CO2 and the SO2 molecules to SO3. The SO3 gas is absorbed by cellulose and the CO2 is measured in up to two element selective IR cells. Finally, the combustion gas is led to the exhaust and the ELEMENTS software calculates the resulting carbon and sulfur concentrations.

Whereas the induction furnace of the ELEMENTRAC CS-d is suitable for analyzing inorganic samples like steel, cast iron and ceramics, the resistance furnace is used for combustion of organic samples like coal, coke or soil. When a coal sample is combusted at temperatures of approx. 1350° C, CO2 and SO2 are released but usually no carbon monoxide (CO) is formed. The combustion gases of the resistance furnace first pass a ceramic filter for absorption of particles, followed by a glass tube with magnesium perchlorate.

After that the dried combustion gases pass the same path as those from the induction furnace. Usually, the catalyst furnace is switched off during usage of the resistance furnace because oxidation of CO is not required.

However, the risk of incomplete combustion and formation of carbon monoxide increases at lower temperatures (~600 °C); in such cases the catalyst furnace may be switched on.