Decagon Devices AquaLab 4TE User manual

AquaLab
Water Activity Meter
Operator’s Manual
For Series 4TE, 4TEV, DUO
Version 4
Decagon Devices, Inc.

Decagon Devices, Inc
2365 NE Hopkins Court
Pullman WA 99163
[phone]
fax: [phone]
www.aqualab.com
[email protected]
[email protected]
Trademarks
AquaLab is a registered trademark of
Decagon Devices, Inc.
©2008-2009 Decagon Devices, Inc.

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Contents
1. Introduction .................................1
About this Manual ....................................1
Customer Support .....................................1
Warranty ...................................................2
Seller’s Liability..........................................2
2. About AquaLab ...........................4
AquaLab Model and Options ....................4
AquaLab 4 Instrument Specifications ........4
AquaLab 4 DUO Specifications.................5
How AquaLab Works ................................6
AquaLab and Temperature ........................6
Chilled Mirror Dewpoint Limitations .......8
3. Water Activity eory...................9
Moisture Content ......................................9
Water Activity............................................9
Water Potential ........................................12
Sorption Isotherms ..................................13
4. Getting Started........................... 15
Components of your AquaLab................. 15
Choosing a Location ............................... 15
Preparing AquaLab for Operation............16
5. Menus ......................................... 18
Measurement Tab ....................................18

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Configuration Tab................................... 19
Admin Settings........................................25
Data Tab .................................................30
6. Cleaning and Maintenance........32
Cleaning the Block and Sensors...............33
Cleaning Procedure: ...............................34
Verification of Calibration .......................36
7. Verification and Calibration........37
Water Activity Verification.......................37
Verification of Calibration .......................38
8. Sample Preparation ....................46
Preparing the Sample...............................46
Samples Needing Special Preparation ......47
Slow Water-Emitting Samples..................48
Volatile Samples.......................................49
Low Water Activity..................................49
Samples not at Room Temperature ..........50
9. Taking a Reading ....................... 51
Measurement Steps..................................51
How AquaLab Takes Readings ................51
10. Duo Operation (Optional).......54
Obtaining Product Isotherm Models .......55
Loading and Organizing Product Models 55
11. Computer Interface...................60
AquaLink RG..........................................60
Using Windows Hyperterminal .............60

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12. Troubleshooting .......................62
Diagnostic Screen ....................................72
13. Support and Repair ..................73
Repair Costs ............................................74
Loaner Service .........................................74
14. Further Reading .......................75
Water Activity eory & Measurement ...75
Food Quality and Safety..........................78
Water Activity and Microbiology.............80
Water Activity in Foods ...........................83
Appendix A.....................................93
Preparing Salt Solution ............................93
Appendix B.....................................95
Temperature Correction ..........................95
Appendix C.....................................96
AquaLab Calibration Standards ..............96
Declaration of Conformity ........... 101
Certificate of Traceability............. 102

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AquaLab
1. Introduction
1
1. In t r o d u c t I o n
Welcome to Decagon’s AquaLab Series 4TE, 4TEV, and DUO, the
industry standard for measuring water activity (aw). AquaLab is the
quickest, most accurate, and most reliable instrument available for
measuring water activity. Whether you are researching or working
on the production line, AquaLab will suit your needs. It is easy to
use and provides accurate and timely results.
About this Manual
Included in this manual are instructions for setting up your AquaLab,
verifying the calibration of the instrument, preparing samples, and
maintaining and caring for your instrument. Please read these in-
structions before operating AquaLab to ensure that the instrument
performs to its full potential.
Customer Support
If you ever need assistance with your AquaLab, or if you just have
questions or feedback, there are several ways to contact us:
NOTE: If you purchased your AquaLab through a distributor, please
contact them for assistance.
E-mail
[email protected]
Please include your name, contact information, instrument serial
number(s), and a description of your problem or question.
[email protected]
Please include your name, address, phone number, the items you
wish to order and a purchase order number. Credit card numbers
should always be called in.

AquaLab
1. Introduction
2
Phone
1-800-755-2751 (USA and Canada Only)
1-509-332-2756 International
Our Customer Support and Sales Representatives are available
Monday thru Friday.
Fax
1-509-332-5158
Warranty
AquaLab has a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a three-year war-
ranty on parts and labor. Your warranty is automatically validated
upon receipt of the instrument. We will contact you within the first
90 days of your purchase to see how the AquaLab is working for
you.
Seller’s Liability
Seller warrants new equipment of its own manufacture against de-
fective workmanship and materials for a period of three years from
date of receipt of equipment (the results of ordinary wear and tear,
neglect, misuse, accident and excessive deterioration due to corro-
sion from any cause are not to be considered a defect); but Seller’s
liability for defective parts shall in no event exceed the furnishing
of replacement parts Freight On Board the factory where originally
manufactured. Material and equipment covered hereby which is
not manufactured by Seller shall be covered only by the warranty
of its manufacturer. Seller shall not be liable to Buyer for loss, dam-

AquaLab
1. Introduction
3
age or injuries to persons (including death), or to property or things
of whatsoever kind (including, but not without limitation, loss of
anticipated profits), occasioned by or arising out of the installation,
operation, use, misuse, nonuse, repair, or replacement of said ma-
terial and equipment, or out of the use of any method or process
for which the same may be employed. e use of this equipment
constitutes Buyer’s acceptance of the terms set forth in this warranty.
ere are no understandings, representations, or warranties of any
kind, express, implied, statutory or otherwise (including, but with-
out limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose), not expressly set forth herein.

AquaLab
2. About AquaLab
4
2. About AquaLab
AquaLab is the fastest and most accurate instrument for measuring
water activity, giving readings in five minutes or less. Its readings
are reliable, providing ±0.003 awaccuracy. e instrument is easy
to clean and checking calibration is simple.
AquaLab Model and Options
Series 4TE: User-selectable internal temperature control model,
uses thermoelectric (Peltier) components to maintain internal tem-
perature.
Series 4TEV: Uses both a chilled-mirror dewpoint sensor and a ca-
pacitance sensor for measuring non-volatile and volatile substances,
respectively. Either sensor is easily selected using the instrument’s
menu system.
Series 4TE DUO: Uses chilled-mirror dewpoint and programmed
models obtained from isotherm data to give the user both water ac-
tivity and moisture content simultaneously in five minutes or less.
AquaLab 4 Instrument Specifications
Water Activity Range: 0.050 to 1.000 aw
Water Activity Accuracy: ±0.003 (4TE Dew Point Mode)
Water Activity Accuracy: ±0.015 (4TEV Capacitance Mode)
Water Activity Resolution: 0.0001
Read Time1:≤5 min.
Sample Temperature Range: 15 to 50° C
Sample Temperature Accuracy: ±0.2° C