Water detection without chemicals thanks to the easyH₂O®

The water content of substances plays a major role in many different industries. However, laboratories depend on a fast and reliable method for detecting the water content for local checks on raw materials and products. Delays in the production process owing to insufficient quality control entail high costs for the manufacturer. The Berghof easyH₂O® delivers fast, reliable and reproducible results and therefore contributes to a more efficient production process. No toxic or special chemicals like, such as the Karl Fischer titration, are required to operate it. The operator profits from the very low operating and disposal costs.

Selective high-temperature coulometric detection of water

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Fig.1: Diagram of the Berghof easyH₂O®

The Berghof easyH₂O® combines thermal evaporation of water with a selective, electrochemical water sensor made from hygroscopic phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅). The water is evaporated out of the sample in a programmable oven and is fed to the sensor by means of a carrier gas flow stream (ambient air, nitrogen, argon) (refer to fig.1). In the process the conveyed water molecules are completely absorbed by the hygroscopic P₂O₅. The water in the hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) is decomposed and subsequently removed from the system via the carrier gas flow stream. The quantity of water is proportional to the amount of electric charge required for the electrolysis and can be determined with the aid of Faraday’s Law. Therefore, measurement is an absolute measurement which can be carried out without calibration using a reference substance.

Another advantage: the P₂O₅ coating is reduced, thus enabling the sensor to regenerate.

Water detection in trace amounts

The easyH₂O® is characterized by a high degree of verifiability. Samples containing between 1µg and 5 mg of water can be determined. The highly sensitive P₂O₅ sensor therefore facilitates detection of water in material using samples weighing only a few milligrams. Besides development laboratories that can only use small sample quantities owing to the synthetic conversion, laboratories that examine the expensive raw materials at incoming goods control also benefit.

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Fig. 2: easyH₂O®

Variability in the selection of samples

The Berghof easyH₂O® is suitable for a large number of very different samples which can be analyzed in sequence. There is no need to exchange the sensor for this. During measurement the sample remains in the oven chamber and does not come into contact with the P₂O₅ sensor. This makes it possible to exclude cross-contaminations which can distort the result.

The easyH₂O® is an environmentally friendly and reliable water-detection device which delivers fast, inexpensive results.

Table: Water detection in different samples.

* Karl Fischer Titration

** Xylol distillation