Brookhaven - Model BI-DCP -High Resolution Disc Centrifuge Particle Size Analyzer

Brookhaven Instruments is renowned for light scattering instruments dedicated to sub-micron particle sizing and polymer characterization. Having identified the need to produce high resolution in the 1-micron size range, Brookhaven has produced an instrument with a resolution unmatched by any other technique in this range. Sedimentation is intrinsically a fractionation technique and the BI-DCP Particle Size Analyzer provides a means to separate the components of mixtures and also characterize a wide variety of distributions.

• Resolves particle sizes in complex mixtures
• Simple, rapid operation, stable
• No calibration necessary, exact derivations
• Suitable for a wide range of sizes and densities
• Variety of operating modes
• External and internal gradient
• LINE or HOST start methods
• Successive sample injections allowed
• Stationary or scanning detector
• variable rotation speed
• Quantitative determination of weight distributions
• Optimize experimental conditions in advance
• Customizable analysis and reports
• Continuous monitoring of temperature

No other type of instrument can resolve several peaks in the difficult range of around 1 micron.

The DCP incorporates a custom electronic drive system with high efficiency while operating quietly on your benchtop. An integral strobe light is synchronized to the drive circuit to check the hydrodynamic stability of the sample. A sensor is used to monitor the temperature in the disk. The BI-DCP offers the largest range of speeds, 500 to 15,000 rpm, which allows an even greater range of particle size measurements. A scanning detector head reduces measurement time.

An instrument is an investment in the present as well as in the future. The BI-DCP is truly cost-effective because it enables users to:

• Resolve complex particle size distributions to improve rheological and structural properties.
• Monitor incoming raw materials to reduce rework.
• Fingerprint finished products to minimize lot-to-lot variations.
• Increase cost-effectiveness by reducing process and scale-up time.
• Optimize material properties to enhance product performance.
• Study particle size fundamentals to develop new products and processes.

The versatile BI-DCP offers high resolution results to particle sizing problems where the particles are dispersed in a liquid and cover the size range from 0.01 to 30 microns. This range is useful for a variety of materials and many applications:

• Polystyrene, PVC, other polymers
• Carbon blacks
• Metal oxides, refractories
• Ink particulates, alumina, titania
• Pharmaceuticles, cosmetics, foods
• Coatings, paints
• Minerals, silicas
• Clays, ceramics

A Case History:

The Bl-DCP’s value was demonstrated in a coatings application involving an emulsion polymerized latex. The performance of the coating varied from batch-to-batch with each latex produced, and was not within he desired specifications. So, the unacceptable product was discarded or stored for use in less exacting applications. This resulted in increased handling charges, storage/disposal problems and greatly reduced profitability. Using the Bl-DCP, the problem was traced to variations in the particle size distribution of the latex produced in a typical large production reactor. The detection of variations in particle size distributions and the subsequent corrections, resulted in much tighter controls over the end product. This in turn resulted in a completely usable product that eliminated storage/disposal problems and brought the company higher profit margins.