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Spraytec

Wide measuring range without having to change objectivesUp to 10,000 measurements per secondResults regardless of concentration; patented multi-scattering analysisAnalysis of wide aerosols without risk of contamination

The Malvern Panalytical Spraytec uses the technique of laser diffraction for measurement of the size of spray droplets and spray particles. It does this by measuring the intensity of light scattered as a laser beam passes through a spray. This data is then analysed to calculate the size of the droplets that created the scattering pattern.

Timo Saarela

Operating principle

Spraytec uses the technique of laser diffraction for measurement of the size of spray droplets and spray particles. It does this by measuring the intensity of light scattered as a laser beam passes through a spray.

The Spraytec system is made up of the following main elements:

A transmitter module that contains a collimated laser light source

A receiver module which can hold one of two lenses (300mm or 750mm) which focus any light scattered by the spray onto a series of detectors. These detectors accurately measure the intensity of light scattered by the spray droplets over a wide range of angles.

An optical bench which ensures the transmitter and receiver are aligned. The length of this can be changed in order to fit with different applications, with the longest bench being 2.5m long.

The Spraytec software which controls the system during the measurement process and analyses the scattering data to calculate spray size and particle size distributions.

Specifications

General

Measuring principle	Laser Light Scattering
Analysis	Mie and Fraunhofer scattering including a patented multiple scattering analysis.
Data acquisition rate	Rapid mode: 10kHz. Continuous mode: 1Hz.
Max measuring time	Rapid mode: 30 seconds. Continuous mode: 60 minutes
Measurement triggering	Internal: based on transmission or light scattering levels. External: based on TTL input or simple switch trigger.
External device synchronisation	2 TTL outputs

Optics

Light source	Max .4mW He-Ne Laser, 632.8nm.
Lens arrangements	Fourier (parallel beam).
Lens focal length	300mm and 750mm.
Measuring range	150mm at 0.5 µm, extending to over 1m above 5 µm.

Detector

Detector arrangement	36 element log-spaced array.
Angular range	0.015 – 17 degrees.**
Alignment	Automatic

Sizing performance

Particle size	300mm lens: 0.1 – 900 µm (Dv50: 0.5 – 600 µm). 750mm lens: 2 – 2000 µm (Dv50: 5 – 1600 µm).
Accuracy	Better than 1%.***
Repeatability	Better than 1%.***
Reproducibility	Better than 1%.***

Software

21 CFR part 11

Enables an operating mode that assists with ER/ES compliance.

System compliance

Laser safety	Class 3R, IEC60825-1:2007 and CFR Chapter 1: Sub-chapter J: Part 1040 (CDRH).
Compliance	CE/FCC compliant. Meets requirements of the European Low Voltage directive.

Weight and dimensions

Laboratory system	950mm optical bench 950mmx550mmx610mm (36kg). 1400mm optical bench: 37kg 1400x550x610 (37kg).
Spray Facility Systems	950mm optical bench 950mmx550mmx650mm (36kg). 1400mm optical bench: 1400x550x650 (37kg).

System

Power	100/240 V, 50/60 Hz
Product storage temperature	-20°C to +50°C.
Operating temperature (°C)	+15°C to +40°C.
Humidity	80% maximum for temperatures up to 31°C, decreasing linearly to 50% at 40°C. Non-condensing.
IP rating	IP65 in normal use

Accessories

Aerosol Positioning Accessory

The accessory enables users to reproducibly position aerosol cans or pump sprays relative to the Spraytec laser diffraction measurement zone during spray droplet and particle size measurements.

This helps to eliminate a significant source of variability associated with spray measurements, enabling the reproducible testing of domestic and personal aerosol products.

Air Purge Accessory

The Air Purge Accessory prevents deposition of spray droplets on the Spraytec optics during the measurement of wide or concentrated spray plumes. This enables the routine characterization of products such as paint sprays or agrochemical application systems. In other words, the accessory prevents the objective lenses from becoming dirty when such samples are being processed.

Extraction Accessory

Provides a means of collecting and capturing spray droplets and particles during measurements. This ensures that spray particle recirculation is reduced during measurements, and also helps manage the risks associated with user exposure to spray droplets.

Inhaler and Nebuliser Accessory

This accessory provides users with the ability to reproducibly measure the droplet or dry powder particle size distributions produced by metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers and nebulisers.

Nasal Spray Accessory

This accessory provides users with the ability to repeatably measure the droplet or particle size distributions produced by nasal drug delivery devices.