Automated Filter Weighing -

AH225-6 for air quality analysis

AH225-7 for emissions

Guaranteed Compliance: EPA CFR1065; Euro 4-Euro 6; Japan 10-15 +11 Mode / JC08H/C; China SEPA IV (Euro 4); India Bharat Stage IV; Brazil PROCONVE L4-L5.

MTL’s AH225 series is a complete automated filter processing solution. It has been engineered by weighing experts to implement the carefully observed methods required by precision weighing applications to ensure accurate results.

Technicians load the input silos with filters placed in individual carriers and activate FWS, which controls the unit and weighs each filter according to administrator selected instructions. Personnel are free to perform other duties. Each filter’s bar code is read. It is then taken to the balance where it is inserted and placed on the balance pan in the exact came position each time.

How the weighing takes place is determined by you by adjusting the administrator set parameters. For example, length of time and weighing method are configurable.

During the weighing process, the MTL software performs a buoyancy correction and measures barometric pressure. Temperature and humidity are also monitored with NIST-traceable equipment to document environmental compliance. The software gives you the control you need to stop weighing at any time in the event of an environmental excursion.

The system issues weighing reports for each filter, helping you keep on top of quality control. This data is stored in an SQL™ database, which can then be accessed by a network server.

Quality Control Made Easy

Human operator error can be caused by many things. A person tends to get tired of doing the same job over and over again. Operation fatigue, poor judgment, and inconsistent accuracy are all factors of manual weighing.

To fix this problem, we have designed a product to make the weighing process a lot easier, faster, and more accurate.

With an automated weighing machine, or Autohandler, you never have to worry about correct results, weighing repeatability, or manual fatigue.Our system will take care of it all for you while giving you the quality control you need, as well as weighing traceability and documentation. Direct read method tares the balance and records data after receiving a stable result from the balance. A-B-A drift corrected approach also calculates for drift from beginning to end of a weighing. There are also statistical analyses of calibration weight data and reference filter data with quality control flags that let you know what is out of tolerance. The MTL Autohandler also performs a daily balance performance analysis with subsequent documentation so you can know, day by day, that you are getting accurate results. It also provides documentation of every and all filters, storing which data belongs to which filter so you can recall it in a moments notice. It’s all right at your fingertips.

• Weighing time:  2 min per filter using direct read; 3 min per filter using drift corrected ABA weighing.

• AH225 performs automated static discharge using Po      α-particle emission and MTL’s internally developed Faraday pan before & during weighing of a filter.

• Repeatability:  check standard: ≤ .25 μg;  filter: ≤ .75 μg

• Filter carriers or machine readable bar-coded filters are scanned by AH225 for individual identification and easy tracking.

• Reduce human effort and error while increasing throughput and laboratory efficiency.

• Compatible with METTLER TOLEDO™ and Sartorius™ balances designed for microgram weighing (Sartorius SE2 is compatible, SE2-F is not compatible at this time)

• Dimensions:  42”L x 25”D x 25”H.    Power:  120 VAC

PTFE filter for PM2.5 FRM sampler

Precision weighing is hard enough without troublesome concerns over filter stability and weighing repeatability. However, the Lab-Weigh Gravimetric Filters from MTL actually increase the precision and accuracy of laboratory weighings.

The PTFE filter captures particulate with a PTFE weighing media. It also has a support ring made of PFA, a PTFE derivative.
These filters are less susceptible to hygroscopic absorption than alternatives. Each filter comes with an ID code conveniently placed on both sides.
This provides a quality control system that handles data custody with greater efficiency.

Lab-weigh filters will get you more accurate results with their enhanced weighability, and you’ll be in control of the level of quality of your weighings.

Gravimetric Filters
The PT47 from MTL is engineered with a PTFE membrane and hydro-inert support ring. It is not susceptible to moisture
fluctuation and improves laboratory weighing results by reducing uncertainties associated with filter weighing.

MTL Filter Specifications

Media             PTFE membrane with Flouropolymer 
                        support ring

Efficiency          99.99% minimum on 9.1 mm particles
                        @ 10.5 fpm air velocity

Air Flow           2.5 cfm/ft2 minimum air flow 
                        @ 0.5” H2O

Ring thickness    0.016” typical

Diameter          47mm

Humidity           < 2 µg change on a 1° C dew point change

Filter Weighing Chambers

Professional solutions for professional results

At MTL, we have combined our internationally recognized expertise in metrology, our software design knowledge, and our engineering experience to bring you an environmentally controlled chamber that offers low drafts and maintains tight controls of temperature, relative humidity, and particulate.

An economical solution for your weighing needs is the MTL Weighing Chamber. Engineered by the same staff who designed our Weighing Rooms, it achieves the same level of quality control performanc and is specifically designed to provide a 1065-compliant environment for those engaged in automotive emissions research.

Air velocities, temperature, dew point, and airborne particle counts are guaranteed to fall below their regulatory thresholds. An MTL Autohandler inside one of our weighing chambers offers a less costly option while also providing a small but accurate weighing environment.

The MTL chamber is designed to be a cost effective alternative to the expensive construction of a weighing room. Rather than building an entire room, which is likely to encompass at least 800 cubic feet of space, the MTL chamber takes up only 45 cubic feet, so you use and pay for only the conrolled space you need.

MTL’s internally developed control software uses PID control to continuously monitor the environment and make adjustments to the HVAC, humidification, and dehumidification equipment as necessary.

The MTL software also provides the user with a graphical interface to monitor and document system performance.

Specifications

• Airflow designed to ensure that precision equipment, such as microbalances, will function without disruption.

• Temperature, dew point, and barometric pressure are measured with NIST-traceable equipment.

• Easy to read temperature , relative humidity, dew point, and barometric pressure charts enable the user to monitor, evaluate, and document the room’s performance.

• Historical charting allows the user to monitor performance of 30-day periods, year-to-date periods, or over other periods.

• Rooms are constructed according to published guidelines if your project requires conditions set by a government agency or trade group.

• Statistical process control charts enable the user to calculate mean values, standard deviations, histograms, and rates of change.

• Chamber dimensions are approx. 5’ wide, 3’ deep, and 3’ high. Space below and behind are required to accomodate equipment.

• Temperature control to ±0.1°C

• Humidity control to ±2% RH

• Particulate control as required

Filter Weighing Clean Rooms

MTL combines internationally recognized expertise, software design, and engineering experience to bring you a controlled environment specifically designed for weighing applications.
MTL’s controlled environments meet industry regulations with special attention to control temperature, dew point, air velocity, and airborne particulate.

Eco-Friendly design does not compromise performance. Optimized airflow conditioning and R-410A reduce energy consumption with zero ozone depletion. Design is available for new rooms and retro-fits for existing structures. MTL has integrated our weighing room control with the AH225 to further reduce energy consumption, thereby insuring an environmentally friendly operation.

All new modular rooms are turn-key systems. MTL will design, build, and manage the project from beginning to end.

Special Features

• PID controls continuously monitor the environment and adjust HVAC, humidification, and dehumidification equipment.
• Airflow will not interfere with precision equipment such as microbalances.
• Temperature and relative humidity are measured with NIST-traceable equipment and dew point calculations are made using this data.
• Easy to read temperature, relative humidity, and dew point charts enable the user to monitor, evaluate, and document the room’s performance.
• Historical charting allows the user to monitor performance of 30-day periods, year-to-date periods, or over other periods.
• Rooms are constructed according to published guidelines if your project requires conditions set by a government agency or trade group.
• Statistical process control charts display historical mean values, standard deviations, histograms, and rates of change.
• Temperature control to ±0.5°C. Humidity control to ±5% RH. Particulate control as required.

Faraday Weighing Pan

Static elimination makes the difference

Electrostatic charge is a large contributor to measurement uncertainty in filter weighing. PTFE filters are especially susceptible to this problem. MTL’s Faraday Pan in tandem with Polonium eliminates the effect of electrostatic forces. A cage surrounds the weighing pan to create an environment where electrostatic charge is nullified and cannot bias readings. It is compatible with METTLER TOLEDO™ and Sartorius™ equipment and can be used with or without MTL’s AH225.

MTL's Faraday pan is made out of brass and dipped in gold to prevent tarnishing. It sits inside the balance and provides a flat surface on which to weigh filters and calibration weights. It prevents electrostatic charges from pushing down on the filter and causing the balance to read it as heavier than it actually is.

Filter Weighing Software (FWS) - MTL has designed a software solution for the weighing of gravimetric filters. The Filter Weighing System will run your entire weighing process. It works with MTL’s Autohandler to manage the life cycle of a filter: everything from the collection of weighing and sampler data, to performing data validation and issuing reports. You will always know exactly what’s going on in your weighing process and be able to recall whatever data you require. The Filter Weighing System also works with a manual weighing system by giving screen prompts on when to load and unload filters.

Environment -The system will monitor your environment and raise flags if environmental conditions fall outside of the administrator-set parameters. If preferred, the system can be set to halt weighing completely in the event of environmental non-compliance. When the environment returns to acceptable conditions, the MTL system can continue to lock out weighing until the EPA-mandated 30 minute wait period has been reached.

Step by Step -The Filter Weighing Software package steps the laboratory technician through the proces of weighing a filter. This user-friendly approach ensures that the weighing procedure is followed in precisely the same manner every time. It cuts down on the need for training, reduces uncertainties associated with poorly developed methods, and enables technicians to do their jobs more effectively.

Methodology

The system comes with a variety of options in terms of weighing method. The administrator can set up the software to do a direct read (tare the balance, record the first stable reading) or a drift-corrected approach (calculate and subtract the balance’s drift from the measurement result.) The system can also step the user through the process of a mutliple weighing, with requisite calculation of mean values and standard deviations..

Regulatory Compliance

The FWS system has been engineered specificially with 40 CFR 1065 in mind. It will enhance your laboratory’s ability to comply with the standards and obtain accurate results.

Data

All weighings which take place in an MTL weighing system are time-stamped with the data used to create them. This includes balance readings, environmental readings, time of day, operator of system, and more. Data are then stored in an MS SQL™ database, which can generate reports for each filter, which come with all pertinent data and confirmation that quality control procedures have been met. The end result is data with complete documentation to back it up.

Quality Control

Quality control is the foundation of all precision measurement systems, and it is important to us. The MTL Filter Weighing Software package has been engineered by metrologists to provide assurance that sound measurement results will stand up under scrutiny. Environmental conditions are checked, reference filters are repeatedly weighed, and laboratory check standards are implemented. You can rest assured that with MTL’s Filter Weighing Software in place, your people are getting good results.

Stainless Steel Storage Dishes

Many laboratories store filters in glass Petri dishes. While such a practice may seem convenient, it can actually have an adverse affect on weighing results. While PTFE is one of the most electronegative materials on the Triboelectric scale, glass is electropositive. The result is a transfer of electrons to the PTFE, causing electrostatic charge problems. MTL has developed a stainless steel storage dish for use in the laboratory to minimize such problems. The dishes have a slot cut into the side to allow for environmental equilibration and to enable a pair of tweezers to easily reach the filter. The dishes are cleanable and stackable, allowing a laboratory to use space more effectively.