TriStar II 3020 Operator Training - August 2012

Who Should Attend?

Technicians, analysts, lab managers, researchers, and anyone needing to operate and/or interpret and understand TriStar results should attend this 3-day course. The course will utilize the latest TriStar model, but most course material is also applicable to users of previous models (i.e. – TriStar 3000). The course is extremely beneficial to the entry-level operator and moderately experienced users wishing to expand their capability. Prior hands-on experience with the instrument is helpful, but not required to attend.

Curriculum

• The TriStar components and how they operate
• Sample preparation, including sample quantity, sample loading, SmartPrep operation, and degas parameters
• Hands-on analyses, including BET analyses using both nitrogen and krypton, and full adsorption and desorption isotherm collection using nitrogen
• An overview of physical adsorption theory, including surface area, mesopore and micropore characterization
• An overview of DFT/NLDFT theory
• Utilization of all TriStar software features and the programming of sample files to efficiently obtain accurate and reproducible data
• The customization and editing of all available reports and graphs, including reference and specification reports, plot overlays, data exporting, and SPC reports
• Data reduction, including BET, BJH, t-plot, DFT, and the use of the Physi ViewCalc tool.
• Operator Maintenance – meet with a member of our Service Department to discuss troubleshooting and user-maintenance

Typical Class Schedule

Day 1

• Session 1: Lab – System and software overview / Blank tube analysis / Preparation and degassing of glass sample for BET analysis / Dewar filling and the use of isothermal jackets
• Session 2: Lecture – TriStar Theory of Operation
• Lunch
• Session 3: Lecture – A Discussion of Gas Adsorption, Surface Area, t-plot, and Mesopore Characterization including BJH and Dollimore Heal
• Session 4: Lab – Initiation of glass BET analysis / The programming and use of parameter files

Day 2

• Session 1: Lab – Preparation and degassing of Carbon Black for BET analysis using calculated free space and Activated Carbon for full isotherm collection
• Session 2: Lecture – Overview of DFT Theory and The Use of the Physi ViewCalc Tool for Physisorption Data Reduction
• Session 3: Lab – Initiation of carbon black BET analysis
• Lunch
• Session 4: Factory Tour
• Session 5: Lab – Preparation and degassing of alumina for BET analysis using krypton / A review of the Options Menu / Initiation of activated carbon full isotherm collection

Day 3

• Session 1: Lab – Initiation of alumina BET analysis using krypton
• Session 2: Lecture – A Review of Report Options, Data Reduction, and Class-Generated Results
• Lunch
• Session 3: Lab – Data reduction and exporting / SPC Reports
• Session 4: Service – A discussion of installation, calibration, and operator maintenance.

Background

The TriStar provides high-quality surface area and porosity measurements on solid materials by using the gas adsorption technique. This three-station analyzer is fully automated and capable of increasing the speed and efficiency of quality control analyses, with the accuracy, resolution, and data reduction to meet most research requirements. A tabletop instrument, the TriStar includes a dedicated saturation pressure port and three analysis ports that operate simultaneously and independently of one another. The instrument also features a krypton option, allowing measurements in the very low surface area range. Its speed and accuracy make it an ideal instrument for a wide variety of applications that include pharmaceuticals, catalysts, carbon, cosmetics, paints, pigments, geoscience, fuel cells, high-tech ceramics and much more.

Course Instructors: Jeff Kenvin, Jacek Jagiello, Simon Yunes & Mark Stephens