Analytical Instrumentation

GCM Micro Boxes - Well-engineered Analysis Technology for Many Applications

Aug 15 2009

SLS Micro Technology GmbH (Germany) offers handy all-in-one solutions for routine gas chromatography, not only in the lab, but also in the working environment with its new product line GCM^®Micro Box. Possible application areas are, for example, wood gas and biogas plants, exhaust gas and combustion analyses as well as quality controls and other gas analyses in the lab. GCM^®Micro Boxes come in four different models, depending on the specific type and scope of operation.

The portable Micro Boxes I and II possess a standard 12 bar pressurised carrier gas bottle, which is integrated into the housing. This bottle lasts for approximately two weeks of permanent operation. It includes the carrier gas bottle and the optional sample suction pump with the devices weighing about 3.8 kg (8.4lb). While Micro Box I uses an external computer for the operation and parameterisation as well as the analysis and storing of measurement data, model II is fully self-sustaining after setup. The GCM^®Micro Boxes III and IV only weigh 1.4 kg (3lb) and are even more compact and designed for process-oriented operation. They hold a digital interface for status and control signals and are provided with connectors for external carrier gas supply. Micro Box III is operated with an external computer as a control and analysis station. By contrast, model IV is similar to model II and fully self-sustaining after setup. All Micro Boxes possess serial interfaces for data exchange with computers, as well as touch screens, which display parameter and current status information. The models II and IV can also control measurement cycles, change parameters and issue lists of results via touch screen. All devices can be connected to a regular 220V/110 V socket with the provided power supply. Their average power consumption is around 20W. Starting from less than 10,000 Euro the GCM^®Micro Boxes offer a robust and at the same time, an efficient and easy-to-use analysis solution to the customer. At the heart of all GCM^®Micro Boxes is the well-tested and patented Micro GC module GCM^®5000, which has been the key product of SLS Micro Technology for years. This module, which is consistently produced on the basis of micro system technology, combines all core functions of a gas chromatograph on a single PCB. Besides the injector and the thermal conductivity detector, this PCB features a fixed separation column, which is produced using etching technology, and the electronics for controlling, analysis and data storage. We offer module types with different thin film and packed separation columns for various separation tasks.