Equipment manufacturers are always looking for compact solutions to monitor or control the gas flow in their system. Previously, conventional mass flow meters and controllers have needed a footprint of 1.5″, as for instance specified in the NeSSI system.
Bronkhorst has developed the IQ+FLOW compact flow meter in cooperation with TNO-TPD (leading Institute for Applied Physics). Due to the use of micro solid state technology (MEMS), the footprint of this mass flow meter is 0.75″. This is half the size of standard flow meters, thereby realizing an ultra compact flow meter and controller. Additionally available is the IQ+FLOW Pressure Meter and Controller Series.
The IQ+FLOW Series Compact Flow Meter and Controller are sophisticated microprocessor-based instruments offering high accuracy and repeatability. Up to 8 calibration curves can be stored on the instrument, thus eliminating the need to recalibrate the device for different gases. The PID controller, integrated on the pc-board, ensures highly stable control. And as an option, this allows for the adjustment of the settling time down to 300 msec. This is especially useful for processes that require fast response times.
Previously, conventional mass flow meters and controllers have needed a footprint of 1.5 inches, as for instance, specified in the NeSSITM system. Now, and in close co-operation with the Netherlands organization for applied scientific research TNO, Bronkhorst has developed the IQ+FLOW compact flow meter and controller. Due to the use of micro system technology (MST), Bronkhorst has been able to reduce the footprint dimension to half, at 0.75”. And this creates an ultra compact flow controller for low flow rates from 0.2 to 5,000 mln/min.
The use of micro fluidic devices for research and analytical purposes has some important advantages. Firstly, because the internal volumes within the instruments are very small, the analysis will be faster and the amount of reagents and analytes used can be reduced. The latter is especially significant for expensive reagents.
Furthermore, the physical dimensions are much smaller than those of conventional devices. This enables Life Sciences system integrators to downscale the size, inherently reducing the costs of ownership of their equipment. Also, the availability of compact and lightweight instruments could lead to the development of portable systems.
Thanks to the modular concept of the IQ+FLOW Series, multiple channel arrangements can be realized on one compact manifold, with one multi-channel digital pc-board (per 3 channels) in one housing.
A core philosophy of Bronkhorst is to form close working links and collaborations with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to ensure optimal integration of flow instrumentation within their own equipment. Often, this results in a custom design in which multiple channels and/or various functions are combined into one micro fluidic system.
Examples of analytical applications based on the ultra compact flow meter with a footprint of 0.75” are:
Bioreactors and fermenters play a vital role in pharmaceutical research for vaccine and medicine development. Other bioreactor applications are the preparation of fermented foods and drinks, biofuel, bio-based materials, and life science. Oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and air are supplied to control the pH and dissolved oxygen level in the reactor chamber, hereby, controlling bacterial or cell growth.
For optimum results, each gas flow needs to be controlled reliably and accurately, which requires Mass Flow Controllers. Frequently, small table-top sized models are used in Research and Development settings and for parallel experiments. IQ+FLOW multi-channel mass flow control solutions provide the world’s smallest footprint and overall size for bioreactor flow control. So, this allows for weight reduction and easy electronic integration at the lowest cost per flow channel.
A combination of these modules can be mounted on a compact manifold, in line with a customers’ requirements, and following open design discussions. Further possibilities might include either an aluminum or a stainless steel manifold with perhaps female inlet/outlet ports that could be suitable for either gas or liquid.
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