Micromeritics Breakthrough Analyser (BTA)

A Compact, Versatile, High-Performance
Selective Adsorption System.

Superior design minimizes dead volume & delivers accurate, experimental results
Configurable with up to 6 precision mass flow controllers and 2 vapor sources
Patented high-performance blending valves
Sample activation up to 1050℃
Thermostated environmental chamber provides uniform temperature control, even when using vapors
Easily connects to commercial Mass Spectrometer (MS) & Fourier Transform Infrared Analyzer (FTIR)
Secure door lock system for enhanced operator safety

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Description Safety and Features Specification Configurations Popular applications Materials

Description

Engineered for Performance

The new BreakThrough Analyzer (BTA) is a flexible gas delivery and management system for the precise characterization of adsorbent performance under process-relevant conditions. It delivers reliable adsorption data for gas/vapor mixtures using a flow-through system.

A safe and highly optimized device for collecting both transient and equilibrium adsorption data for multi component systems. The BTA can be configured with up to six precision mass flow controllers and patented high performance blending valves, delivering unparalleled flexibility in experimental design. The superior gas-delivery design ensures the precise control of both composition and flow rate, while minimizing dead volume.

The high-quality, stainless-steel column can hold 0.05 to 2.5 grams of adsorbent. Automated sample activation up to 1050°C is possible with the precise, rugged, and reliable resistance furnace.

Operating pressures are controlled from atmospheric to 30 bar via a servo positioned controlled valve. The thermostated environmental chamber delivers uniform temperature control of the entire system up to 200°C, eliminating cold spots. The BTA secure door lock system ensures operator safety throughout the analysis.

Vapor generators can be added to the BTA to enable the use of important probe molecules such as water for experimental studies. The BTA easily connects to commercially available Fourier Transform Infrared and Mass Spectrometer systems for gas identification and quantification.

Safety and Features

A Safe And Highly Optimized Device For Collecting Both Transient
And Equilibrium Adsorption Data For Multi-Component Systems.

Shut off from the software
Door closed during the analysis
Furnace temperature control alarm
Thermostated environmental chamber temperature control alarm
Optional connection to shut off system
Optional valve to shut off all MFC’s
Optional gas detector in the thermostated environmental chamber
Optional valve shut off valve

Specification

Specifications

Furnace Temp Max	1050°C
Thermostated environmental chamber Temp Max	200°C
Sample Mass	Up to 2.5 g
Sample Volume	Up to 2.5 mL

Additional Specs:

Determination of breakthrough curves
Investigation of kinetic performance of adsorbents
Investigation of co-adsorption and displacement
Determination of sorption selectivity
High-resolution separations using small sample quantities
Dynamic adsorption and desorption experiments
Determination of single- and multi-component adsorption data
In-situ sample preparation up to 450°C with a SS column and 1050°C with a quartz column
Fully automated control via PC
Up to 6 high precision mass flow controllers

Programmable total pressure, flow rate, composition and temperature
Optimised for research-scale sample sizes with interchangeable reactor beds
Ultra-low dead volume for rapid signal response
Automated switching between purge and process gases
Configurations for gas-vapor and vapor-vapor separation
Door remains locked during analysis to protect user and the analysis from altered temperature conditions
Touch Screen
Patented “No Dead Volume” mixing valve with rapid switching

Configurations

MASS SPECTROMETER (MS)

Multicomponent adsorption studies often require a mass spectrometer (MS) to monitor the residual gas composition. The MS is the most common detector system used for breakthrough analysis.

FTIR ANALYZER (FTIR)

FTIR spectrometers are often selected for experimental breakthrough studies such as the separation of xylenes or other aromatic hydrocarbons.

HUMIDITY SENSOR

Allows direct tracking of water content for low cost. Can be useful especially in production control applications.

SAMPLE PREPARATION SYSTEM

Small quantities of active material can be mixed with an inert carrier to produce a homogeneous sample and improve analysis reproducibility.

CO₂ SENSOR

Allows direct tracking of CO₂ content for low cost. Can be useful especially in production control applications.

SAMPLE COLUMN (DIFFERENT VOLUME)

The BTA may be used with a variety of column diameters to accommodate different sample morphologies included powders, pellets, and extrudates.

MFC AND MIXING VALVES (MAXIMUM 6 GAS INLETS)

Additional mass flow controllers and blending valves may be added to the BTA to increase the analytical capabilities and expand the range of experiments that may be conducted.

VAPOR SOURCE (MAX OF 2)

Moisture or other vapors such as xylenes or other aromatics are compatible with the optional vapor sources available for the BTA.

Popular applications

Direct Air Capture
DAC is difficult due to low concentrations of carbon dioxide in air along with other impurities including moisture, and the captured CO2 may be sequestered underground, sold, or converted into value added chemicals to offset carbon emissions.
CO2 Adsorption
Power generation, chemical plants, and refineries are significant point sources for carbon dioxide emissions and the higher concentrations often require different operating conditions when compared to direct air capture.
Olefin/Paraffin Separations
Are a core part of the petrochemical industry and used to in the production of polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene; these separations are energy intensive and increase CO2 emissions.
Natural Gas Separation
Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbons and other gases that must be purified prior to use in industrial applications and households for heating and food preparation.
Toxic Gas Adsorption
Porous solids are used for personal protection and also under development for the capture of toxic gases including sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and nitrogen dioxide from natural gas or other process feeds.
Water Adsorption
Harvesting water from the air may be a critical technology for many parts of the world clean, where the fresh water supply is limited due to an arid climate or the increasing usage of water for agriculture.

Materials

Zeolites
Pressure swing adsorption using Zeolite 5A, 13X, or LiX, which have high selectivity for adsorbing nitrogen are used commercially for air separation and producing oxygen.
Silicas
Amine functionalized silicas are effective and highly selective adsorbents and used for the direct air capture (DAC) of CO2.
Porous Membranes/Monoliths
Porous membranes and monoliths coated zeolites or MOFs are commonly used to improve the operational efficiency of separation processes.
Activated Carbon
Volatile organic component (VOC) from automobile fuel systems are captured by canisters filled activated carbon and these VOC emissions are minimized.
Porous Aluminas
Alumina – Supported Ionic Liquids are effective adsorbents with potential applications for the separation of CO2 from natural gas.
Metal-Organic Frameworks
MOFs are highly selective adsorbents which are effective for demanding commercial applications including alkanes & olefins, olefins & alkynes, DAC and CO2 & CH4.