Perm Porometers: Advantages and Shortcomings

Advanced Permeability porometer has the capability of measuring mean flow pore diameter, pore diameter range, pore size distribution, bubble point, and pore throat diameter. Perm porometers are used for quality control and R&D in industries universally such as filtration, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, biotechnology, fuel cell, battery, food, household, and battery separators.

In the past, mercury intrusion porosimeter and nitrogen adsorption were commonly used for measuring the pore, size of powders, depending on the range of the pore size. However, these methods were not suitable for determining the pore sizes of membranes.

Therefore, a new measuring tool was invented in which the liquid flows from a sample is measured by the distance a column of liquid drops according to the time and pressure. This method gives fast results, even for hydrophobic materials, as the pressure can be increased up to 200 psi to the liquid column to force the liquid out from the sample.

How is it used?

The wetting liquid is passed through the pores and a non-reactive gas is allowed to shift the liquid from the pores in an advanced permeability porometer. The gas pressure and ow rates through dry and wet samples are measured accurately. The pressure of the gas and ow rates needed to remove liquid from the pores and cause gas to ow is measured using the formula by D= 4y cos θ/p. Pore throat diameter, pore size distribution, and gas permeability can easily be calculated from the measured gas pressure and ow rates.

Advantages:

· Advanced permeability porometers yield very objective, accurate, and reproducible results, considerably reduce test duration, and require minimal operator involvement.

· The pressure drops provide the essential data for the calculation of the permeability using Gurley, Rayl, and Frazier units.

· Ability to switch between two or more flowmeters.

· Can measure the permeability of liquids such as alcohol, juices, and water.

· All controls, measurement, data reduction, report preparation, and data collection can easily be done by window-based software. Can be controlled manually as well.

· Advanced permeability porometer accepts a wide range of sample sizes and types with non-destructive testing.

· Test display depicts testing results and status with a real-time graphical demonstration throughout the operation.

Short-comings:

· Advanced permeability porometer is not accessible to many labs and industries.

· Very low permeability samples are tested using an accurate weighing balance to measure liquid flow rate.

· Advanced permeability porometer requires high costs for maintenance

· Needs more research-based backup

Conclusion:

Advanced permeability porometer have many benefits; hence, they catch attention. Manufacturers and admirers are researching it. With the hope that this technology will improve in the future. Though this is a great innovation, like many others they too have some short-comings. But as this is a new invention in the market, the possibility of improvement is vast.

Do you think this new technology will be accepted with open hands? Let us know your thoughts on the advanced permeability porometer below.