Micromeritics TriStar II 3020 User manual

TriStar II 3020
Analyzer
Service Manual
July 2009

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
© Micromeritics Instrument Corporation, 2009. All rights reserved.

Jul 09 i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Organization of the manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Using This Manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
2. FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
New Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Cabinetry & Sample Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Interior Modules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Instrument Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Cabinetry/Sample Chamber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Top Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Instrument Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Side Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Interior Modules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Gas entrance manifold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Dosing volume manifold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Sample analysis manifold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Schematic Board & Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Analysis Transducer Interface PCB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Card Cage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
DSP-ISA CPU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Digital Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Backplane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Power Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
3. THE ANALYSIS SEQUENCE
Analysis Technique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Analysis Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
4. PREINSTALLATION
5. INSTALLATION

Table of Contents TriStar II 3020 Service Manual
ii Jul 09
6. OPERATOR TRAINING
7. MAINTENANCE DOCUMENTS
8. CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
9. MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL DRAWINGS
Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
Electrical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
10. SERVICE PARTS
11. SOFTWARE
12. OPERATOR’S MANUAL
13. SERVICE TRAINING

TriStar II 3020 Service Organization of the manual
Jul 09 1-1
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
This service manual contains information and instructions for providing instrument
service on the Micromeritics TriStar II 3020 Analyzer and is intended for use by
Micromeritics' factory-trained and supported service personnel.
Organization of the manual
The service manual is organized as follows:
Chapter 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
Provides information about the contents of the service manual.
Chapter 2 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
Provides a functional description of analyzer components.
Chapter 3 THE ANALYSIS SEQUENCE
Provides a description of the analysis sequence.
Chapter 4 PREINSTALLATION
Provides Preinstallation requirements and checklist.
Chapter 5 INSTALLATION
Provides Installation Instructions.
Chapter 6 OPERATOR TRAINING
Provides a checklist for training operators on the use of the analyzer.
Chapter 7 MAINTENANCE DOCUMENTS
Provides scheduled maintenance documents.
Chapter 8 CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
Provides a copy of the Factory Calibration Procedure.

Using This Manual TriStar II 3020 Service
1-2 Jul 09
Using This Manual
This manual is most efficiently used from the Micromeritics web site. However, it can
be downloaded to a portable media device, such as a CD or a USB stick.
Chapter 9 MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL DRAWINGS
Contains mechanical and electrical drawings.
Chapter 10 SERVICE PARTS
Contains a list of service replacement parts.
Chapter 11 SOFTWARE
Contains the demo software for the TriStar II 3020 Analyzer.
Chapter 12 OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Provides links to current versions of the operator manuals.
Chapter 13 SERVICE TRAINING
Provides a syllabus for training service personnel.

TriStar II 3020 Service Overview
Jul 09 2-1
2. FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
This chapter describes the systems and components that comprise the TriStar II 3020 Analyzer. It includes
graphics showing the location of major systems, modules, and components, as well as functional
descriptions.
Overview
As the latest addition to the TriStar Analyzer family, the TriStar II 3020 is a fully automated,
three-station physisorption instrument that provides high-quality surface area and porosimetry
measurements on solid materials by using the gas adsorption technique.
The TriStar II 3020 has three ports, allowing analysis of up to three samples simultaneously
and independently. A user can operate up to four TriStar analyzers with one Windows-based
computer.

New Product Features TriStar II 3020Service
2-2 Jul 09
New Product Features
Cabinetry & Sample Chamber
• The TriStar II 3020 is smaller than the TriStar 3000 due to elimination of the vacuum
pump cavity.
• The vacuum pump is now located external to the cabinet.
• The rotating door allows easier access to the sample ports for mounting and removing
sample tubes.
Interior Modules
• Solid-state transducers with stainless steel diaphragms replace the exposed-silicon
transducers of the 3000 model.The TriStar II 3020 adds a continuous saturation pressure
measurement feature.
• An additional port has been added to the gas inlet manifold to bring the total number of
ports, for readily available gases, to four.
Software
• The use of any of the IUPAC standard measurement units is available on the TriStar II
3020.
• Data from the TriStar 3000 and Gemini can be imported to the 3020 to allow overlay plots
and other comparisons to be generated.
• Information can be scanned directly into input fields using a bar code reader. This elimi-
nates human error on data entry.
• The TriStar II 3020 software allows opening of multiple sample files simultaneously for
editing.
• Diagnostics may be performed remotely by way of the Internet. This allows MIC engi-
neers to access the instrument and run diagnostics programs.

TriStar II 3020 Service Instrument Components
Jul 09 2-3
Instrument Components
The TriStar 3020 Analyzer is comprised of these major components and modules:
• Cabinetry/Sample Chamber
•Interior
• Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)
• Power Module
Cabinetry/Sample Chamber
Due to the elimination of the vacuum pump cavity, the redesigned TriStar II 3020 analyzer is
significantly smaller than its predecessor.
Top Panel
The top panel of the TriStar provides access to the interior analysis module and its
subassemblies. The top panel is molded from plastic and internally coated with a special
conductive coating to prevent radio frequency interference.
Front
The redesigned front of the TriStar II 3020 consists of a tinted and transparent rounded sample
chamber door. The front panel is intended to shield the operator from any flying debris
resulting from a sample tube explosion or liquid nitrogen splatter. When the door is opened, it
allows for easy, 270-degree access to the three sample ports.
Top Panel
Elevator
Dewar
Sample Tubes
Door
Communicationsstatus
indicator

Cabinetry/Sample Chamber TriStar II 3020Service
2-4 Jul 09
Elevator
The TriStar II 3020 elevator raises the dewar to the sample tubes. During analysis, it is
automatically raised and lowered. The elevator can be manipulated by the user when the
system is in manual mode.
Dewar
The Dewar for the TriStar 3000 carried over to the TriStar 3020 has a capacity of 2.75-L.
Sample Tubes
The TriStar has the ability to test up to three samples at a time The tubes are made out of
borosilicate glass to withstand the temperatures reached inside the Dewar or during degassing.
Communications status indicator
A green LED indicator is located on the front of the TriStar’s top panel to indicate the
instrument has power.
Instrument Back
The back area of the TriStar is where the gas entrance manifold, the vacuum pump connection
and the power connection are located.
Gas entrance
manifold
Vacuum pump
connector
Power switch
Power cord connector

TriStar II 3020 Service Cabinetry/Sample Chamber
Jul 09 2-5
Vacuum Pump
A new feature of the TriStar II 3020 is that the vacuum system is outside the instrument
cabinet. Wet and dry pumps are available for nitrogen systems, while the krypton option must
use a dry pump.
Side Panels
The left panel of the TriStar is plain. The right panel, however, provides access to the unit’s
card cage, ethernet, and RS-232 connection.
Oil/ Wet pump Oil-free / Dry Pump

Interior Modules TriStar II 3020Service
2-6 Jul 09
Interior Modules
The analysis module consists of three subassemblies discussed below.
Gas entrance manifold
The Gas Entrance Manifold provides four gas inlet ports, that face the rear of the instrument.
The inlets have dust filters (frits) to prevent dirt from gas lines getting into the system. This
manifold also has the vacuum connection.
The servo valve sets dosing pressures in the manifold and regulates the rate of pressure
decrease during gas evacuation.The manifold transducer is also located on the gas entrance
manifold. All other valves are solenoid valves.
Dosing volume manifold
The Dosing Chamber or Volume Chamber is an aluminum chamber that has a capacity of 18
mL of volume. The volume chamber does not have any valves attached to it in order to prevent
Transducer
Servo valve
Gas inlet ports
Vacuum pump
connector
Gas Inlet Photo Gas Inlet CAD
Solenoid valves
Dosing Volume CAD

TriStar II 3020 Service Interior Modules
Jul 09 2-7
local fluctuations of temperature, which would reduce the precision of gas measurements.
There is a temperature sensing device (RTD) mounted to the chamber.
Sample analysis manifold
The Sample Manifold contains the three sample ports and a P0port for the instrument. Each of
the TriStar’s three ports has a 20-µm frit to prevent sample from entering and clogging the
system, a small-orifice solenoid valve for dosing, a large-orifice solenoid valve for evacuation,
1000-Torr transducer, and a pressure relief valve to protect against excess pressure build up
caused by too rapid desorption. The relief valves vent at 10 to 20 psig, even if there is no
power applied to the instrument and protect the sample transducers, sample tubes and dewar.
The P0port is used for continuous saturation pressure measurement.
Sample ports
Transducer
Pressure relief valve
Solenoid valve
Dosing volume
manifold
10-Torr Transducer
(Krypton units only)
Sample Analysis Photo Sample Analysis CAD

Schematic Board & Software TriStar II 3020Service
2-8 Jul 09
Schematic Board & Software
The schematic diagram of the 3020 is displayed on the computer screen by the TriStar
software. The schematic shows:
• The current state of each valve.
• The pressure reading from the transducers.
• The temperature reading in the manifold.
• Location and status of the elevator.
The software is designed to work on computers running Windows XP or Windows Vista. The
software also supports importing data from the TriStar 3000 and Gemini for analysis and
comparison with TriStar II 3020 plots. For more instructions on how to use the software and
run the TriStar analyzer, refer to Chapter 3 - Operational Procedures in the Operator’s
Manual.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1 - Gas Inlet Manifold
2 - Vacuum Pump
3 - Servo Valve
4 - Manifold Transducer
5 - Manifold Thermocouple
6 - Port 1 Transducer
7 - Port 3 Transducer
8 - Port 2 Transducer
9 - P0Transducer
10 - Elevator
11 - Status Bar
12 - 10-Torr Transducer (Krypton only)
All transducers are 1000-Torr unless otherwise stated.

TriStar II 3020 Service Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)
Jul 09 2-9
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)
Analysis Transducer Interface PCB
The Analysis Transducer Interface PCB is responsible for controlling most functions
throughout the analysis module. This includes actions performed by the gas inlet, dosing, and
sample manifolds. The analysis transducer interface board is partially enclosed by a metal
barrier to protect its components from radio frequency interference.
Card Cage
Analysis Transducer Interface PBC
Transducer Interface Photo Transducer Interface CAD
1 - Backplane PB
2 - DSP-ISA CPU PCB
3 - Digital Interface PCB
Card Cage Photo
1
2
3
Card Cage CAD

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) TriStar II 3020Service
2-10 Jul 09
The card cage is the main assembly of electrical systems and the connection between those
systems and other components inside and outside of the instrument. The card cage is
comprised of three boards: Backplane, CPU, and Digital Interface PCBs.
DSP-ISA CPU
The DSP-ISA CPU PCB provides control of the instrument. Application software is loaded
into this PCB. This board is in the first slot from right to left.
Digital Interface
The digital interface board generates control signals for valve drivers and the elevator
interface. This board also stores all PCB IDs, and instrument calibration information. Finally,
it has the necessary RS-232 channels for serial communications and connections for ethernet.
The digital interface board is in the second slot from right to left.
Backplane
The backplane carries the necessary signals and DC power to and from the boards in the card
cage.

TriStar II 3020 Service Power Module
Jul 09 2-11
Power Module
The TriStar’s power supply assembly is the same model as used in the SediGraph 5120. The
power supply is mounted at the rear of the instrument providing access to the power switch.
Power supply (from interior of instrument)
Power switch (from rear of instrument)
Power supply (from rear of instrument)

Power Module TriStar II 3020Service
2-12 Jul 09

TriStar II 3020 Service Analysis Sequence
Jul 09 3-1
3. THE ANALYSIS SEQUENCE
The analysis sequence describes what is taking place throughout the instrument during an analysis.The
instrument schematic, shown below, will be used to show the state of the system components during the
various phases of an analysis.
The state of a valve is indicated by the icon color.
10 mmHg transducer (Displays only if the Krypton option is installed.)
Sample
Sample tubes
Elevator
Gas
inlet
ports
1000 mmHg
transducer
Temperature
Po tube
transducers
Green = open
White = closed
(when in Manual Mode, yellow = closed)

Analysis Sequence TriStar II 3020 Service
3-2 Jul 09
The valves in the schematic are described below.
Analysis Technique
The TriStar II 3020 Analyzer uses physical adsorption and capillary condensation principles to
obtain information about the surface area and porosity of a solid material. The analytical
technique is simple: a sample contained in an evacuated sample tube is cooled (typically) to
cryogenic temperature, then is exposed to analysis gas at a series of precisely controlled
pressures. With each incremental pressure increase, the number of gas molecules adsorbed on
the surface increases. The equilibrated pressure (P) is compared to the saturation pressure (Po)
and their relative pressure ratio (P/Po) is recorded along with the quantity of gas adsorbed by
the sample at each equilibrated pressure.
As adsorption proceeds, the thickness of the adsorbed film increases. Any micropores in the
surface are filled first, then the free surface becomes completely covered, and finally the larger
pores are filled by capillary condensation. The process may continue to the point of bulk
condensation of the analysis gas. Then, the desorption process may begin in which pressure
systematically is reduced resulting in liberation of the adsorbed molecules. As with the
adsorption process, the changing quantity of gas on the solid surface at each decreasing
equilibrium pressure is quantified. These two sets of data describe the adsorption and
desorption isotherms. Analysis of the shape of the isotherms yields information about the
surface and internal pore characteristics of the material.
Valve(s) Description
1 through 3 Sample ports
4 Po port
5 Isolation valve
6 Isolation valve
7 Helium port
8 and 9 Analysis gas ports
10 Vacuum
11 through 13 Unrestricted vacuum for sample ports
14 Analysis gas port
15 10-mmHg isolation valve (displays
only if the Krypton option is installed).
Unmarked Servo