IKA C5000 Control-Type Calorimetry System (2/12 Configuration)

Overview

The IKA C5000 Control-Type Calorimetry System (2/12 Configuration) is a high-precision, modular oxygen bomb calorimeter engineered for accurate determination of gross calorific value (GCV) in solid, liquid, and slurry fuels — including coal, biomass, waste-derived fuels, and petrochemical samples. Based on the principle of static bomb combustion calorimetry, the system quantifies heat release by measuring the temperature rise of a precisely calibrated water jacket surrounding a sealed, high-pressure oxygen combustion chamber. Its unique tri-mode operational architecture enables seamless switching between adiabatic, isothermal, and dynamic measurement protocols without mechanical reconfiguration — a capability validated under internationally recognized standards including DIN 51900, ASTM D240, ISO 1928, and BS EN ISO 1928. Designed and manufactured in Germany, the C5000 integrates thermodynamic rigor with laboratory-grade automation, supporting traceable, auditable, and repeatable energy content analysis in QA/QC, regulatory compliance, and R&D environments.

Key Features

• Tri-mode calorimetric operation: Adiabatic (14–18 min), isothermal (≈22 min), and dynamic (≈10 min) modes selectable via software — no hardware modification required
• Full automation of water jacket management: Auto-fill, temperature stabilization, and drain cycles ensure thermal equilibrium reproducibility and minimize operator intervention
• Intelligent bomb handling: Automatic oxygen charging (up to 30 bar), real-time bomb identification via RFID or barcode, and pressure monitoring prior to ignition
• Halogen-resistant combustion bomb (C5012): Chemically inert liner enables quantitative decomposition of sulfur and halogen compounds during combustion — critical for compliance with EPA Method 26A and ISO 1928 Annex E
• Modular scalability: Single-channel C5000 configuration (2/12) supports field-upgrade to dual-channel operation using an additional C5003 measurement unit — ideal for high-throughput labs
• DIN-compliant thermal architecture: Precision-machined copper calorimeter vessel, low-drift NTC thermistors (±0.001 °C resolution), and PID-controlled outer jacket ensure <0.05% RSD in replicate GCV measurements

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The C5000 accommodates a broad range of sample matrices: pulverized coal (ASTM D5865), municipal solid waste (MSW) pellets, biodiesel blends (EN 14214), sewage sludge, and chlorine-containing polymers. Its C5012 halogen-resistant bomb allows safe, complete oxidation of samples containing Cl, Br, or F — eliminating corrosive acid formation and enabling concurrent sulfur/halogen quantification via post-combustion absorption analysis. All measurement workflows comply with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) requirements, supporting full audit trails, electronic signatures, and data integrity per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when used with Calwin C5040 software. Certification documentation for DIN 51900, ASTM D240, and ISO 1928 is supplied with each system.

Software & Data Management

Calwin C5040 software serves as the central interface for instrument control, method definition, real-time thermal monitoring, and thermodynamic calculation. It implements standardized correction algorithms for fuse wire, nitric acid formation, and benzoic acid calibration — all aligned with ISO 1928:2009 Annex A. The software supports automated report generation in PDF and CSV formats, configurable templates for internal SOPs, and direct export to LIMS via ODBC. Audit trail functionality logs user actions, parameter changes, and calibration events with time stamps and operator IDs — essential for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and pharmaceutical QC laboratories operating under GMP.

Applications

• Fuel certification laboratories performing routine GCV testing for coal trade (ASTM D5865, ISO 1928)
• Waste-to-energy facilities validating lower heating value (LHV) input specifications
• Biofuel producers verifying energy density compliance per EN 14213 and ASTM D6866
• Environmental testing labs assessing halogen content in incineration feedstocks
• Research institutions studying combustion kinetics and reaction enthalpies of novel energetic materials
• Academic teaching labs requiring robust, standards-aligned calorimetry platforms with pedagogical software visualization

FAQ

Is the C5000 compatible with existing IKA accessories such as the C5020 sample changer?
Yes — the C5000 control unit features native integration with the C5020 automated sample rack, enabling unattended sequential analysis of up to 20 samples.
Can the C5012 halogen-resistant bomb be used for sulfur analysis according to ISO 19579?
Yes — its corrosion-resistant liner ensures stoichiometric SO₂ capture in post-combustion absorbers, meeting ISO 19579 sampling and recovery requirements.
Does the system support remote diagnostics and firmware updates?
Yes — Ethernet connectivity enables secure remote access for technical support and over-the-air firmware upgrades via IKA’s authorized service portal.
What calibration standards are recommended for routine verification?
Certified benzoic acid (NIST SRM 39j or equivalent) is required for daily energy equivalence calibration; secondary checks may use anthracite coal reference materials traceable to NIST or BAM.
Is validation documentation provided for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
Yes — IQ/OQ/PQ protocols, electronic signature configuration guides, and audit trail validation reports are included in the Calwin C5040 validation package.