Improving time and throughput with microwave ashing
Dry ashing is based on the decomposition of
organic material by the action of oxygen at elevated
temperatures.
Determination of the ash content, whether for process control or as a preparation method for other analytical techniques, is an important test performed daily in thousands of laboratories worldwide.
The ashing process is done in conventional muffle furnaces that often offer inefficient, tedious, and time consuming procedures. The use of microwave heating for dry ashing applications has been represented a breakthrough in the process and quality control of samples like polymers, petroleum, food and feeds, pulp paper and pharmaceuticals.
The PYRO microwave muffle furnace, is available in three interchangeable configurations: high sample throughput, sulfated ashing, ultrafast heating.
Determination of the ash content, whether for process control or as a preparation method for other analytical techniques, is an important test performed daily in thousands of laboratories worldwide.
The ashing process is done in conventional muffle furnaces that often offer inefficient, tedious, and time consuming procedures. The use of microwave heating for dry ashing applications has been represented a breakthrough in the process and quality control of samples like polymers, petroleum, food and feeds, pulp paper and pharmaceuticals.
The PYRO microwave muffle furnace, is available in three interchangeable configurations: high sample throughput, sulfated ashing, ultrafast heating.
Fast ashing process
Advanced microwave heating in just 8 minutes instead of hours!
High sample throughput
Breakthrough in the process and quality control.
Standard method compliance
ASTM, USP, SEMI and ISO fully compliance.
Questions?
Green technology
The PYRO embraces the values and benefits of the
green approach, in fact it offers more efficient
heating and saves energy. The accurate microwave
emission and the great insulating capacity of the
microwave-transparent muffle minimize energy waste.
Over 90% Time Saving
| Sample | Temperature (°C) | Time (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
Pet Food | 20 | |
Milk Powder | 20 | |
Wheat Flour | 50 | |
PVC | 15 | |
Coal | 20 | |
Heavy Oil | 45 | |
Rubber Tyre | 45 | |
Lactose | 60 | |
Antibiotics | 60 |
Read our customer's experience
Reading Scientific Services Ltd.: Contract service lab relies on microwave ashing to improve turnaround time on food matrices
RSSL invested in a microwave muffle furnace to expedite their ash content determination on specific food matrices. After several equivalency tests, the PYRO showed excellent reproducibility and time saving over a conventional muffle furnace, allowing RSSL to validate the method on several matrices for total ash content as well as for elemental analysis.
Efficient airflow
The unique design of the venturi system
enables faster ashing and safer conditions
without the need of an additional gas line.
The continuous and adjustable airflow
expedites the sample combustion and the
removal of fumes during the ashing process.
Rugged and powerful hardware
The PYRO is designed to last! The
stainless-steel construction and the high
microwave power offer high reliability,
fast heating rate, and superior working
conditions as it does not expose the
operator to heat or fumes.
Fast and even heating
The silicon carbide heating element, along
with the high microwave power, provides
fast and even heating across the entire
muffle, allowing reproducible conditions in
all crucibles.
Accurate control
The built-in sensor controls the muffle
temperature during the entire program
and continuously dialogues with the smart
software to adjust the microwave energy
based on the desired temperature profile.
Smart user interface
All the process parameters are controlled
by the advanced terminal and software.
Simply select a built-in method or create a
new one and press “START” to begin the
ashing procedure.
Microwave transparent muffle
All the process parameters are controlled
by the advanced terminal and software.
Simply select a built-in method or create a
new one and press “START” to begin the
ashing procedure.
High-capacity for superior productivity
Rugged and durable construction
The PYRO is built to offer superior working conditions and a more efficient ashing procedure on a wide
range of matrix. It incorporates in a single platform a rugged hardware, a reliable microwave-transparent
muffle, an efficient exhaust, an accurate temperature control and a smart user interface.
Smart
User Interface
All the PYRO configurations are controlled via a compact full-colour, touchscreen display. The user interface runs a
user-friendly, icon-driven, multi-language software to provide easy control of the process. The software automatically
regulates the microwave power according to the temperature profile desired, ensuring great reproducibility. The
dedicated Milestone Validation Package, along with the 21 CFR part 11 compliance, meet the GMP requirements
and provide high standards of operation. The PYRO is compliant with several official methods such as ASTM, USP,
SEMI and ISO, preloaded into the terminal.
High Sample Throughput configuration for routine applications
PYRO is built to offer superior working conditions and a more efficient ashing procedure on a wide range of matrices. It incorporates in a single platform a rugged hardware, a reliable microwave-transparent
muffle, an efficient exhaust, an accurate temperature control and a smart user interface.
Sample crucibles are placed on a large clean quartz plate and an airflow is induced by a built-in exhaust system. A porous ceramic honeycomb frit built into the wall of the muffle furnace allows a constant stream of air to pass over the sample crucibles. The combination of microwave “superheating” and induced airflow results in a dramatic reduction of the ashing time.
Any type of crucible (metal, porcelain, quartz, etc.) can be used.
Sulfated Ashing for safer and faster procedures
Ashing of samples like pharmaceutical and petroleum often involves the use of sulfuric acid that leads to hazardous
acid vapours and is a labour-intensive procedure. The traditional approach requires the manual fuming of acid for
several hours with high risks for the operator. The PYRO Sulfated Ashing configuration enables the operator to
complete this test in a single step. Sulfuric acid is added to the sample, and the crucibles are placed into the muffle
without any preliminary charring step. The acid fumes are continuously collected, condensed, and neutralized by the
dedicated water-cooled scrubber module. With the PYRO Sulphated Ashing configuration the procedure is typically
completed in less than two hours, eliminating any tedious and unsafe handling.
UltraFAST heating muffle for rush samples and high temperature applications
The PYRO with ultrafast muffle reaches a
temperature of 800°C in just 5 minutes, starting
from room temperature and enables applications
up to 1200°C. The temperature is monitored
and controlled via a contactless infrared sensor.
The unmatchable heating rate of this PYRO
configuration offers a solid option for QC labs to
provide rapid feedback to their production and
to any lab dealing with rush samples. Due to its
heating rate, the ultrafast muffle has a natural fit for
many high-temperature applications requiring no
heating/cooling inertia, such as sintering or fusion.
Reduce your ashing time with the right choice of Crucibles
The type and the size of the sample crucibles have a great influence over the ashing process, both in terms of time and quality of results.
ultraFAST Crucibles
The UltraFAST crucibles allow the PYRO user to dramatically reduce the overall ashing time, from start to end. They are made of an innovative material that, although chemically and thermally resistant, allows the samples to be surrounded by a constant airflow which, in turn, accelerates the ashing process. Furthermore, the cooling time is so short that there is no need to use a dessicator prior samples weighing. Just 30 seconds are enough to go from 1000°C to room temperature.
The UltraFAST crucibles are suitable for the ashing of any solid sample, such as polymers, pharmaceuticals, food and feed, cokes, coals etc.
Shorter ashing time
Fast heating and cooling
High chemical and thermal stability
Constant weight
Long lifetime
Shorter ashing time
Fast heating and cooling
High chemical and thermal stability
Constant weight
Long lifetime
Self-closing Quartz Crucibles
The self-closing quartz crucibles and dedicated rack ensures fast Carbon Black Determination In Olefin Plastic and high reproducibility compared with the reference method ASTM D1603, thus avoiding the use of nitrogen. The vacuum generated during the release of combustion fumes ensures perfect sealing and an inert athmosphere the quartz crucibles, allowing for complete determination of the carbon black. The self-closing quartz crucibles and microwave heating allow for carbon black determination in only a few minutes, obtaining superior data reliability and reproducibility.
Shorter ashing time
Fast heating and cooling
High chemical and thermal stability
Constant weight
Long lifetime
Shorter ashing time
Fast heating and cooling
High chemical and thermal stability
Constant weight
Long lifetime
Connect with us
Contact us directly by phoning at +39 035.573857
or discover your National Representative to get local support.
or discover your National Representative to get local support.
Milestone™ Srl
Via Fatebenefratelli 1/5 - 24010 Sorisole (BG) - Italy
Phone: +39 035.573857 | Fax: +39 035.575498
Via Fatebenefratelli 1/5 - 24010 Sorisole (BG) - Italy
Phone: +39 035.573857 | Fax: +39 035.575498
Milestone™ Srl
Via Fatebenefratelli 1/5 - 24010 Sorisole (BG) - Italy
Phone: +39 035.573857 | Fax: +39 035.575498
Via Fatebenefratelli 1/5 - 24010 Sorisole (BG) - Italy
Phone: +39 035.573857 | Fax: +39 035.575498