Laser Diffraction for Product-Specific Particle Size Analysis | HELOS

The HELOS range of particle distribution sensors offers analysis with laser diffraction for lab applications ranging from less than 0.1 µm – 8,750 µm. With its classical parallel beam laser diffraction set-up, HELOS provides a powerful method means of analyzing the particle size distribution of powders, granules, suspensions, emulsions, sprays and many other particulate systems.

The precondition for convincing and reliable measuring results are based upon product-adapted and reproducible sample analyses. A product adaption will be achieved if particle collectives are dispersed and supplied to the measurement in their original condition: powders and granules - dry, suspensions and emulsions - wet, as well as sprays and inhalants as aerosols – without time-consuming preparations. The modular system displays its true advantage when customized with dosing and dispersing units, guaranteed to adapt to the product sample. A great variety of modular options in our system portfolio provides the best support to the most diverse industrial and research applications.

In the early 1980s, Sympatec introduced a breakthrough innovation which was leading laser diffraction to another dimension: dry powder dispersion for even the finest, cohesive powders came true with RODOS. And with the R series of our laser diffraction sensor HELOS new benchmarks for precision and accuracy have been achieved.

The complete range of R1 to R8 proved the strong concept of measuring range segmentation. Consistent understanding of all details of the samples to be analysed can be achieved by selecting the optimum measuring range. Typical disperse products rarely span over more than two decades. Even for these products the concept of the multi-range combination holds since the introduction of the innovative R series.

HELOS | Measuring ranges R1 to R8 from 0.1 µm to 8,750 µm with maximum resolution

The powerful evaluation algorithms of FREE and MIEE provide best possible agreement with absolute values. Very short analysis times, particularly with dry dispersion, are maintained.

Parallel laser beam | Large working distance

The HELOS-R series sets a new benchmark for precision and accuracy, the latest improvements comprising enhanced application of parameter-free Fraunhofer evaluation down to the submicron regime (below 1 µm). The use of more stable inversion procedures in tandem with best optical models and the inclusion of signal statistics brings the laser diffraction even closer to absolute standards. The specifications of ISO 13320 "Particle size analysis - laser diffraction methods" the requirements and limits are considerably outmatched.

Dispersing and Dosing Options

The modular system design together with a great variety of dispersing and dosing units provides a flexible adaptation to the most diverse industrial and research applications:

Dry Applications

• RODOS | Injection disperser for finest, even cohesive powders | 0.1 µm to 3,500 µm
• GRADIS | Gravity disperser for coarser, even fragile dry particulate systems | 0.5 µm to 8,750 µm
• VIBRI | Vibratory feeder for precise dosing and feeding of dry particulate systems (in combination with RODOS or GRADIS)
• ASPIROS | Micro dosing system for feeding of small amounts of precious or toxic dry substances in encapsulated sample vials (in combination with RODOS)

Wet Applications

• SUCELL | closed-loop flow-through cell for suspensions and emulsions | 0.1 µm to 1,750 µm | (50) 500 ml cell
• QUIXEL | Flow-through cuvette with pumping circuit for emulsions and suspensions, even with coarser, high density particles | 0,1 µm to 3.500 µm | heating option
• CUVETTE | Stationary cuvette for precious or toxic emulsions and suspensions of small sample volume | 0.1 µm to 3,500 µm
• MULTISAMPLER | Sample handling system for automated feeding of wet samples in 39 ml vials in batch operation (in combination with SUCELL or QUIXEL) | 70 vials per rack

Specialties

• OASIS | Combined dry and wet disperser, consisting of RODOS & SUCELL
• SPRAYER | Actuator for the analysis of droplets released by pump sprays | 0.25 µm to 875 µm
• SMACTOR | Actuator for the analysis of particles and droplets released by MDIs, pump sprays or sprays with propellants | 0.25 µm to 1,750 µm
• INHALER | Adapter for the analysis of aerosols released by DPIs, MDIs, nebulizers, pump sprays or sprays with propellants | 0.25 µm to 1,750 µm
• LIQIBACK | Reprocessing unit for recycling of dispersion liquids (in combination with QUIXEL, SUCELL or OASIS) | 0.45 µm and 1 µm

Feature highlights

• Highest precision and resolution of the particle size distribution by 8 measuring range modules
• Automated multi range combination for broad distributions
• Modular design structure with a great variety of dispersing and dosing units for flexible adaption to the sample
• 2,000 particle size distributions per second are acquired by using the integrated time resolved mode
• Unrivalled reproducibility of results and excellent system-to-system comparability
• Powerful evaluation with parameter-free Fraunhofer or with Mie, if optical properties are known
• Laser diffraction fully compliant with ISO 13320 for the complete size range from 0.1 µm to 8,750 µm

HELOS-R Series

The HELOS family includes 3 laser particle sizer:

HELOS | Particle Size and Size Distribution < 0.1 µm – 8,750 mm with Laser Diffraction

HELOS/BR with OASIS/L and VIBRI/L

HELOS/KR with GRADIS and VIBRI/L

HELOS/KR-Vario