ParticleTrack G400は、FBRM技術 に基づくプローブベースの機器です。ラボリアクタや特定の製造プロセスへ直接組み込むことができ、粒子のサイズや個数に生じる変化を、希釈することなくプロセス濃度でリアルタイムに追跡できます。実験条件には変動が生じるため、粒子、粒子構造、液滴を継続的にモニタリングすることにより、研究者は目的の粒子を一貫して製造するために必要な知見を得ることができます。
粒子のサイズや個数は晶析、エマルション、凝集などのさまざまなプロセスパフォーマンスに直接影響を及ぼします。粒子のサイズや個数などの変化をリアルタイムでモニタリングすることで、エビデンスに基づいたメソッドを利用し、プロセスについて確実に理解、最適化、スケールアップすることができます。
オフライン分析用にサンプリングや調製を行うと粒子が変化してしまいます。プロセス内に自然に存在する状態で粒子のサイズや個数に生じる変化を追跡することで、高温・低温条件下や圧力条件下でも安全かつ遅延なくプロセスを理解することができます。
実験条件には変動が生じるため、粒子を継続的にモニタリングすることにより、粒子サイズと数量に対するプロセスパラメータの影響を決定できます。このユニークな情報は、一貫して最適な粒子を生産するプロセスの設計に利用することができます。
ParticleTrack G400の、研究室での一般的な用途には以下のようなものがあります。
ParticleTrack G400の主な特長:
ParticleTrack G400はメトラー・トレドの旧モデル（S400/D600）よりも大きく向上したLasentec FBRM技術を搭載しています。
Insert ParticleTrack probes directly into process streams to monitor particle size and count continuously over time without having to take a sample.
What is Focused Beam Reflectance Measurement (FBRM) technology?
| 測定範囲 | 0.5 – 2000μm |
| 温度範囲（ベース/フィールドユニット） | 5 to 35°C |
| ベースユニットの説明 | 実験室ベースユニット |
| ベースユニット寸法 (奥x高x幅) | 492 mm x 89 mm x 237 mm |
| 認証 | CE認可、Class 1 Laser, NRTL認証、CBスキーム認証 |
| 電源 | AC 100 ～ 240 V、50/60 Hz、1.2A |
| 対象 | 実験室： EasyMax/OptiMax |
| ソフトウェア | iC FBRM |
| スキャンシステム | 電子式スキャナ |
| スキャン速度 | 2m/s (19mm at 1.2m/s) |
| コードセレクション（CSM） | プライマリ (fine) および マクロ (coarse) |
| プローブ直径 | 19mm 9.5mm 14/9.5mm |
| プローブ接液部長さ | 400mm (19mm プローブ用) 206mm (for 14/9.5mm probe |
| プローブ接液部材質 | C22 |
| ウィンドウ | サファイア |
| 標準ウィンドウシール | Kalrez® (standard 19mm TM (標準 14/9.5) |
| プローブ/ウィンドウオプション | TM Window (option for 19mm |
| 圧力（プローブ） | 最大100 barg (カスタム) 3barg (標準) |
| 温度（プローブ） | +10 ～ 90°C (標準) -10 to 90°C (Kalrez and purge) -80 ～ 90°C (TM およびパージ) |
| コンジット長さ | 3m [9.8ft] |
| エア要件 | 最大パージマニフォールド出口圧力: 0.8barg [12psig] パージマニフォールドに対する最大入口圧力: 8.6barg [125 psig] Low flow purge: (use to avoid condensation) 最大 流量: 5NL/分 [0.2SCFM] |
| ParticleTrack Model | ParticleTrack G400 |
ParticleTrack G400（FBRM技術を搭載）は、防爆エリア規格に準拠していません。
ParticleTrack G400 represents a significant improvement over previous METTLER TOLEDO Lasentec FBRM technologies (S400 and D600).
Stuck Particle Correction Improves Consistent and Reliable Measurement - ParticleTrack can distinguish between particles stuck on the probe window and those moving in the process. These stuck particles can be removed from the data ensuring a consistent and reliable measurement for more experiments.
Improved Measurement Accuracy and Resolution - ParticleTrack uses state-of-the art digital signal processing methods to measure particle size with increased accuracy and resolution. These changes mean the measurement matches particle measurements such as laser diffraction and imaging more closely.
Wider Dynamic Range To Detect Critical Process Events - ParticleTrack measures changes in particle count to accurately eliminate concentration-related artifacts from the data and ensure improved sensitivity to changes in the particle system at higher concentrations. This allows critical process events to be detected that may previously have gone unobserved.
Interchangeable Probes Decrease Costs and Increase Range of Scales - Lab-based ParticleTrack instruments are now available with different sized probes that can be easily changed by the user. This improves serviceability and increases the range of scales where the same instrument may be used at an overall lower cost.
Two Measurements Acquired Simultaneously To Eliminate Need for Prior System Information or Trial Experimentation - ParticleTrack now collects two datasets simultaneously that are optimized for different types of particle systems. This eliminates the need for any a prior system information or trial experimentation to determine the optimal measurement method.
Improved Instrument to Instrument Repeatability - ParticleTrack technology was developed to ensure different lab and production instruments now measure much more closely, allowing changes in scale of measurement to be decoupled from differences in the probe used to measure them.
Voice of User
Senaputra, A., Jones, F., Fawell, P. D. and Smith, P. G. (2014), Focused beam reflectance measurement for monitoring the extent and efficiency of flocculation in mineral systems. AIChE J., 60: 251–265. doi: 10.1002/aic.14256.
"The [ParticleTracK]G400 also captures bimodal character in unweighted chord distributions, producing distinct peaks for aggregates and fines after suboptimal flocculation; such peaks are rarely well resolved in older FBRM".
"…the chord length measurement principle applied with the G400 probe leads to an enhanced sensitivity to species at the lower end of the measurement range relative to previous generation FBRM…"
"The mean square-weighted chord lengths reported from older generation FBRM for flocculated minerals are typically under 400 mm, and yet the naked eye can see much larger aggregates being formed in thickener feedwells. The G400 probe consistently measures larger chord lengths, and this is seen as a significant advantage"
George Zhou, Aaron J Moment, James F. Cuff, Wes A. Schafer,Charles Orella, Eric Sirota, Xiaoyi Gong, and Christopher J. Welch, Process Development and Control with Recent New FBRM, PVM, and IR. Org. Process Res. Dev., Just Accepted Manuscript, Publication Date (Web): 10 Jun 2014.
"Process analytical technologies (PATs) have played an important role in process development and optimization throughout the pharmaceutical industry. Recent new PATs, including in-process video microscopy (PVM), a new generation of focused-beam reflectance measurement (FBRM), miniature process IR spectroscopy, and a flow IR sensor, have been evaluated, demonstrated, and utilized in the process development of many drug substances. First, PVM has filled a technical gap by providing the capability to study morphology for particle engineering by visualizing particles in real time without compromising the integrity of sample. Second, the new FBRM G series has closed gaps associated with the old S series with respect to probe fouling, bearing reliability, data analysis, and software integration. Third, a miniaturized process IR analyzer has brought forth the benefits of increased robustness, enhanced performance, improved usability, and ease of use, especially at scale-up".
