Perform a Reference Material Analysis

 

Service Test Mode is required for this test. See Service Test Mode.

 

The equipment images in this topic may differ slightly from your equipment; however, the instructions are the same unless otherwise noted.

  1. Remove the sample tubes from the degassing unit and reweigh the samples.
  2. Place the filler rods into the sample tubes. Place the isothermal jackets on the sample tubes and install the tubes on the sample ports.
  3. Go to Unit [n] > Service Test > PCP Analysis.
  4. Select the correct sample for the instrument:
  • Nitrogen - if the instrument is a nitrogen unit.
  • Krypton - if running an alumina sample for a krypton analysis.
  1. Click Start to begin the analysis.
  2. When the analysis completes, go to Reports > Start Report to view the report. Locate the report file in the c:\......Data\PCP\ directory. An example of the file name is 1N217-0.SMP where the first digit is the port number (1, 2, or 3), the letter N (for nitrogen), the unit serial number (217), and -0 (1, 2, 3, etc.) to indicate the number of the run.
  3. Select the report and click Report.
  4. On the Report Settings window, select Preview as the destination for the report and click OK.
  5. When the analysis is complete, compare the BET Surface Area shown in the report with the BET Surface Area shown on the reference material bottle.
  • If the results are within tolerance, the instrument is operating properly.
  • If the results are not within tolerance, refer to the following table for possible causes and actions. After performing the action, perform the reference material analysis again.
Cause Action
The sample was not degassed
properly.
Degas the sample again.
The gas lines are not clean. Clean and verify the gas lines. See Clean and Verify the Gas Line. See.
The measured free space is too high. This indicates the helium may not be pure enough. Ensure the helium is 99.999% pure.