kruss K11 MK3 User manual

Tensiometer K11 MK3
User Manual
V3.05
© KRÜSS GmbH, Hamburg 2000-2010

Contents page 1
Contents
1General information ....................................................................................... 7
1.1 General safety instructions.................................................................................................7
1.2 Intended use ......................................................................................................................8
1.3 Procedure if repairs should be necessary .......................................................................... 8
1.4 Technical support............................................................................................................. 10
2Introduction.................................................................................................. 11
3Setup and starting up................................................................................... 12
3.1 Transport.......................................................................................................................... 12
3.2 Location and ambient conditions...................................................................................... 12
3.3 Levelling the instrument ................................................................................................... 13
3.4 Connectors and connections............................................................................................ 14
3.4.1 Power supply..............................................................................................................14
3.4.2 Connecting the K11 Control Panel .............................................................................14
3.4.3 Computer connection (optional) ................................................................................. 15
3.4.4 Connecting an external thermostat (optional).............................................................15
3.5 Assembling a thermostat jacket (optional) ....................................................................... 16
3.5.1 Assembling an external temperature measuring probe (optional) .............................. 18
3.5.2 Inert gas connector (optional).....................................................................................18
3.5.3 Installation of the protocol printer (optional) ............................................................... 19
4Operating the instrument ............................................................................. 20
4.1 Switching the instrument on and off ................................................................................. 20
4.1.1 Mains switch...............................................................................................................20
4.1.2 On/Off key on the Control Pad (switch on / standby) ................................................. 20
4.1.3 Resetting the instrument ............................................................................................ 21
4.1.4 Warming-up time........................................................................................................21
4.2 Error message behaviour................................................................................................. 21
4.3 The control panel (overview)............................................................................................ 22
4.4 The display....................................................................................................................... 22
4.5 Moving the sample stage ................................................................................................. 23
4.5.1 Safety Instructions......................................................................................................23
4.5.2 Moving the sample platform using the rotary knob.....................................................24
4.5.3 Saving and activating standard sample platform positions......................................... 24

page 2 Contents
4.6 The keypad ...................................................................................................................... 25
4.6.1 Measuring method selection (plate, ring, density) ...................................................... 27
4.6.2 Starting and stopping measurements......................................................................... 27
4.6.3 Entering measuring parameters ................................................................................. 28
4.6.4 Changing the basic settings (setup) ...........................................................................29
4.6.5 Illumination ................................................................................................................. 30
4.6.6 Stirrer ......................................................................................................................... 30
4.7 Suspending the measuring probes ..................................................................................31
5Cleaning procedures.................................................................................... 32
5.1 Cleaning the sample vessel ............................................................................................. 32
5.1.1 Step 1: Cleaning with water........................................................................................ 32
5.1.2 Step 2: Check cleanliness..........................................................................................32
5.1.3 Step 3 (if necessary): Scarfing ................................................................................... 33
5.1.4 Step 4 (if necessary): Cleaning with oxidising acid ....................................................33
5.2 Cleaning the ring and plate ..............................................................................................33
5.3 Cleaning the measuring probe for determining the density..............................................34
6Preparing a measurement ........................................................................... 35
6.1 Safety information ............................................................................................................ 35
6.1.1 Working with highly flammable liquids........................................................................ 35
6.1.2 Measurements at high temperatures.......................................................................... 35
6.2 Setting up and filling the sample vessel ...........................................................................36
6.3 General course of a measurement...................................................................................37
6.4 Data transfer and storage (optional) ................................................................................37
6.5 Check list before starting a measurement........................................................................ 38
7Measurements with the plate or rod method ............................................... 39
7.1 Main menu “Plate Method”...............................................................................................39
7.1.1 Measuring mode ........................................................................................................ 39
7.1.2 Reading limit ..............................................................................................................40
7.1.3 Interval .......................................................................................................................40
7.1.4 Wetted length ............................................................................................................. 40
7.2 Parameters for the plate method in Setup........................................................................41
7.2.1 Immersing speed (mm/min)........................................................................................ 41
7.2.2 Detection speed (mm/min) ......................................................................................... 42
7.2.3 Immersion depth (mm) ............................................................................................... 42

Contents page 3
7.3 Measuring surface tension by the plate method...............................................................43
7.4 Measuring interfacial tension by the plate method ...........................................................44
8Ring method measurements........................................................................ 47
8.1 Measuring parameters in the main menu of the ring method...........................................47
8.1.1 Measuring mode ........................................................................................................ 47
8.1.2 Correction................................................................................................................... 48
8.1.3 Reading limit ..............................................................................................................50
8.1.4 Heavy density............................................................................................................. 50
8.1.5 Light density ...............................................................................................................50
8.1.6 Relaxation / switching to the ring tear-off mode .........................................................50
8.1.7 Ring type....................................................................................................................51
8.2 Parameters for the ring method in Setup .........................................................................52
8.2.1 Measuring speed........................................................................................................ 52
8.2.2 Detection speed ......................................................................................................... 52
8.2.3 Immersion depth ........................................................................................................53
8.2.4 Immersion speed (mm/min)........................................................................................ 53
8.3 Measuring surface tension by the ring method ................................................................54
8.4 Measuring interfacial tension by the ring method............................................................. 56
8.4.1 Interfacial tension pull.................................................................................................56
8.4.2 Interfacial tension push .............................................................................................. 59
9Density measurement.................................................................................. 62
9.1 Parameters for the density measurement in Setup ..........................................................62
9.1.1 Detection speed (mm/min) ......................................................................................... 62
9.1.2 Immersion speed (mm/min)........................................................................................ 63
9.2 Measuring the density...................................................................................................... 63
9.3 Entering the density of a different probe .......................................................................... 66
10 Basic settings (setup menu and special functions) .................................... 67
10.1 First page of the setup menu ........................................................................................... 68
10.1.1 measuring speed........................................................................................................ 68
10.1.2 Immersion speed........................................................................................................ 68
10.1.3 Detection speed ......................................................................................................... 69
10.1.4 Acceleration due to gravity......................................................................................... 69
10.2 Second page of the setup menu ......................................................................................70
10.2.1 Immersion depth ........................................................................................................70

page 4 Contents
10.2.2 Sensitivity................................................................................................................... 70
10.2.3 Min. standard deviation .............................................................................................. 71
10.2.4 Number of values for SD............................................................................................71
10.3 Third page of the setup menu .......................................................................................... 72
10.3.1 Stirrer speed...............................................................................................................72
10.3.2 Oscillating period........................................................................................................72
10.3.3 Temperature sensor...................................................................................................72
10.3.4 Language / Sprache................................................................................................... 73
10.4 Fourth page of the setup menu ........................................................................................ 74
10.5 Fifth page of Setup menu................................................................................................. 75
10.5.1 Password ................................................................................................................... 75
10.5.2 Set defaults ................................................................................................................75
11 Special functions ........................................................................................ 76
11.1 Tare (0) ............................................................................................................................ 76
11.2 Key beep on/off (2) .......................................................................................................... 76
11.3 LabDesk output / Standard output (3) ..............................................................................77
11.4 Print setup (4) .................................................................................................................. 77
11.5 Protection (5) ................................................................................................................... 77
12 Data transfer to external media (optional).................................................. 78
12.1 Printing out on a protocol printer ......................................................................................78
12.2 PC transfer to LabDesk....................................................................................................79
12.2.1 Installation.................................................................................................................. 79
12.2.2 Preparations............................................................................................................... 83
12.2.3 The toolbar ................................................................................................................. 84
12.2.4 data transfer ............................................................................................................... 85
12.2.5 Data export................................................................................................................. 86
12.2.6 Options and settings................................................................................................... 86
13 Maintenance............................................................................................... 90
13.1 Checking the shape of the probes ................................................................................... 90
13.1.1 The ring...................................................................................................................... 90
13.1.2 The plate ....................................................................................................................91
13.2 Cleaning the surface of the K11....................................................................................... 91
13.3 Adjusting the K11............................................................................................................. 92
13.4 Downloading current firmware ......................................................................................... 93

Contents page 5
14 Thermostatting the gas phase with the TJ20 (optional) ............................. 96
15 Measuring principles .................................................................................. 99
15.1 Surface and interfacial tension......................................................................................... 99
15.1.1 The ring method according to Du Noüy...................................................................... 99
15.1.2 The plate method according to Wilhelmy .................................................................101
15.1.3 Ring and plate methods in comparison .................................................................... 102
15.2 Density measurement .................................................................................................... 103
Appendix........................................................................................................ 104
IRanges of validity for the ring correction methods .................................... 104
II Settings for compatibility with the Tensiometer K10.................................. 105
III Error messages ......................................................................................... 106
IV Computer requirements for LabDesk ........................................................ 108
VTechnical data ........................................................................................... 109
VI Warranty and caveat emptor ..................................................................... 109
VII Copyright and right to make alterations ................................................... 110
VIIIIndex ........................................................................................................ 111

General information page 7
1General information
1.1 General safety instructions
As well as this general safety information, please follow the safety instructions in
the remainder of the manual text.
The K11 is intended for use in a laboratory or pilot plant station. The general safety
rules for working in a laboratory environment apply to work carried out with the K11.
The K11 may only be used by trained personnel.
When carrying out measurements with substances which are poisonous,
hazardous to health, irritant and/or easily inflammable, the safety regulations and, if
available, information in the appropriate safety data sheets must be taken into
account when handling such substances.
Do not use the K11 in explosion-proof areas.
The controls of the K11 and a connected computer must not be operated when
wearing protective gloves, which have already been used for handling hazardous
materials.
Do not use the K11 if the unit is obviously damaged.
Disconnect the K11 from the power supply immediately if there is any damage to
the electronics, if liquids are spilled over the K11 or if there is an escape of
tempering medium.
The K11 has a motorised sample platform. Keep your hands away from the area of
movement while the platform is in motion. Make sure that no one is working within
the area of movement while the sample platform is moving. Do not place any
objects on the platform.
Measurements at temperatures above 40°C must always be carried out with the
measuring chamber closed. Samples must be exchanged using appropriate tools
and heat protection gloves. Conversions are to be carried out only when the system
is cooled down.

page 8 General information
1.2 Intended use
•K11 is intended only for measurements of the surface tension of liquids, the
interfacial tensions between two liquids and measurements of the density of a
liquid.
•The intended use includes the exclusive use of accessories supplied by KRÜSS or
substitutes with an identical design if disposable accessories are being used.
•The K11 can be used at ambient temperatures between 10°C and 40°C and with
air which is free from condensate.
•Measurements above or below room temperature are only to be performed with a
KRÜSS thermostat jacket of the TJ series. Only external laboratory thermostat
units may be used for thermostatting. Applicable liquids are water (above 0°C and
below 100°C), ethylene glycol, vegetable oils or silicon oils. KRÜSS does not
provide for damages due to working outside the temperature range between -10°C
and 130°C.
•The components of the K11 are not resistant against acids, bases or organic
solvents. KRÜSS does not provide for damages due to spilling any of these
substances. The same applies to damages due to corrosive vapours.
1.3 Procedure if repairs should be necessary
Contact KRÜSS
Contact KRÜSS customer support.
*If you did not obtain the measuring instrument directly from KRÜSS but from a
dealer, please contact your dealer first. He may be able to rectify the damage. If
not, contact KRÜSS customer support directly.
You will be given a repair number. Please quote this number in your covering letter
when you dispatch the unit.