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SDT – Spinning Drop Tensiometer

Measurement of interfacial tension in a wide range for optimizing emulsions

The SDT Spinning Drop Tensiometer measures interfacial tension with a high degree of accuracy and a particularly wide range down to very low values. The SDT is the ideal solution for the quality control and development of emulsions and surfactants thanks to its enormous bandwidth, small sample volumes, and simple handling during preparation. The instrument is particularly well-suited for analyzing the interfacial behavior of mini- and microemulsions, e.g. for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) or the pharmaceutical and cosmetics branches.

  • Development of emulsions and microemulsions
  • Surfactant flooding in enhanced oil recovery (EOR)
  • Formulations in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
  • Bioavailability of drugs
  • Food emulsions
  • Surfactant research

MEASURING METHODS

  • Interfacial tension using the diameter or curvature of a drop of a light phase inside a heavy phase in a rotating capillary
  • Carrying out a measurement up to 20 consecutive times and displaying the results together

MEASURING RESULTS

  • Interfacial tension between two liquids
  • Drop image evaluation according to Vonnegut or Young-Laplace
  • Time- and temperature-dependent results

INSTRUMENT DIMENSIONS

Footprint 360 mm × 240 mm (W × D)
Height 325 mm
Weight (without accessories) 15 kg

TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT

Range of temperature measurement -10 to 180 °C
Resolution 0.1 °C
Precision 0.1 °C
Location of temperature measurement heating element (internal sensor)
capillary (infrared sensor)

POWER SUPPLY

Voltage 100 to 240 V
Power consumption max. 250 W
Frequency 50 to 60 Hz

SAMPLE DIMENSIONS

Min. recommended sample volume surrounding liquid: 1 mL
drop liquid: 1 to 4 μL

ENVIRONMENT

Operating temperature 15 to 30 °C
Humidity without condensation

TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Type of temperature control electric (ambient to 120 °C)
liquid (-10 to 120 °C, with optional flow-through thermostat)
Range of temperature control -10 to 120 °C

INTERFACES

PC USB 3.0
Auxiliary RS232
Thermostat quick lock fittings

HOUSING AND PERIPHERALS

Camera parking system protecting the camera when not in use
Touch panel glass surface with capacitive sensing

CAPILLARY

Septum free filling system for easy sample preparation
Quick lock loading for fast sample exchange
Drop launch mechanism drop creation at the press of a button

SAMPLE STAGE

Tilting 20°
Resolution (tilting) 0.1°

CAMERA SYSTEM (STANDARD)

Connection USB 3.0
Performance 15 fps at 2560 × 1920 px

ILLUMINATION

Type high power monochromatic LED and stroboscope
Wave length, dominant 469 nm
Field of light 57 mm × 7 mm (D × H)

OPTICS (STANDARD)

Focus fixed
Zoom 1.4× zoom, fixed
Field of view 6 mm × 4.5 mm
Resolution of optics 2.3 µm

CAPILLARY DRIVE

Resolution 0.1 rpm
Long term stability ±1 rpm

SOFTWARE

Software type ADVANCE
Available software modules interfacial tension
optional: drop positioning module

SPINNING DROP

Results interfacial tension (IFT)
Range 10-6 to 2000 mN/m
Resolution 10-6 mN/m
Models Vonnegut
Young-Laplace