GPC-IR, High Temperature GPC for Polyolefin Analysis

GPC-IR is a High Temperature Gel Permeation Chromatograph (GPC/SEC) dedicated to Polyolefin analysis. It incorporates an infrared detector with sensors for concentration and composition measurement of short chain branching or carbonyls. It can be configured as a Quadruple detector system with Concentration, Viscometer, Multi-Angle Light Scattering (DAWN® HELEOS™ II 8 or 18 angle of Wyatt Technology) and Composition detectors. A very sensitive composition-concentration MCT Infrared Detector (IR5 MCT) can be additionally incorporated for the analysis of low branching content in HDPE pipe resins.

GPC-IR columns oven is independent from detectors/injector oven, preventing the columns from suffering during maintenance tasks. This design allows to perform detectors/injector preventive maintenance or to change the loop injection volume without affecting the columns temperature.

The autosampler is a separate unit with 70 vials of 10ml attached to the detectors/injector oven through a heated interface. Sample preparation just consists of weighing the samples, since the vials are filled automatically with fresh solvent. They stay in the high temperature oven just the needed time for dissolution, to minimize sample degradation. After dissolution time (different dissolution times can be selected for each vial), the sample is automatically filtered by an in-line filter before the injection. There is no vial transfer along the whole process.

GPC-IR Virtual Instrumentation Software provides instrument control and monitoring of the whole process and signals generated. Calculations are performed by means of GPC One, the most comprehensive calculations software, developed in collaboration with the industry leaders, is capable of integrating all the detectors signals into a single package. The system includes remote control for an easy and fast diagnosis.

Features:

• Autosampler with 70 vials capacity and with two independent temperature zones.
• Gentle shaking during the dissolution time to prevent shear degradation.
• Sample preparation fully automated and integrated into the system, no vials transfer.
• 10 ml vials for sample representativeness (smaller vials possible too if needed).
• Accurate and configurable dissolution time for each vial.
• Dedicated columns oven up to 250ºC with 0.01ºC temperature control.
• Integrated in-line filter with automatic backflush after each injection, no pre-filtration step required.
• IR4 detector with concentration and composition sensors incorporated, with excellent baseline stability.
• Stabilization time between injections not required. Possibility of overlapping injections.
• Four-capillary viscometer incorporated as standard.
• Optional incorporation of Light Scattering DAWN® HELEOS™ II 8 or 18 angle of Wyatt Technology.
• Optional incorporation of the IR5 MCT detector for measurement of low branching content in HDPE resins.
• Multiple injections from the same vial without sample dilution for highest possible reproducibility.
• Virtual Instrumentation software to control and monitor the process
• Calculations performed by GPC One, the most comprehensive Calculations Software developed in collaboration with the leaders in the industry, integrating all detectors signals and with the possibility of being customized to include in-house data-processing procedures.

Detectors:

• Infrared Detector IR4 OEM:

IR4 is a dual wavelength stand-alone infrared detector, which uses the principle of infrared absorption spectroscopy to measure the concentration and composition in polyolefins.

• Viscometer:

A high sensitivity capillary viscometer is an ideal complement to the Infrared detector in polyolefin characterization instruments as GPC-IR is.

• Light Scattering DAWN® HELEOS™ II:

GPC-IR is designed to incorporate the most appropriate Light Scattering detector for polyolefins currently in the industry: DAWN® HELEOS™ II of Wyatt Technology.

• Infrared Detector IR5 MCT:

IR5 MCT is a stand-alone infrared detector with a flow through cell, which incorporates interference filters at five different wavelengths and a thermoelectrically cooled MCT detector with a high sensitivity (no liquid Nitrogen required).