Porosimetric device

Abstract

A porosimetric device is disclosed for studies of physicochemical properties of materials, in particular for study of the pore structure. The device comprises a balance, a clamping device for keeping the standard and the porous sample(s) in contact (the standard and the porous sample(s) containing wetting liquid inside their pores), an automatic manipulator for moving the sample frames, several drying stations for drying a number of samples simultaneously, automatic flow-meter valves for the drying gas, electric and pneumatic drives for the manipulator and the valves. Each drying station is placed at sufficient distance from the balance thereby enabling heating of the samples without heating the balance. The drying process is carried out by gas, which is heated up in special heaters. The manipulator has two degrees of freedom. It can perform vertical movements for placing samples and standards on the balance as well as horizontal movement between the drying stations and the balance. The porosimeter includes a gripper for sample frames, vertical servo-drives for each drying station, which provide vertical positioning of the sample frames when gripped, and a cap or a cylinder closed from the top, which tightly covers each sample and standard before weighing, thereby essentially reducing the evaporation of measuring liquid or condensation of moisture within the sample pores.