Derenda AWS-1RE Automated Gravimetric Weighing System for PM Filters under Controlled Temperature & Humidity
| Brand | Derenda |
|---|---|
| Origin | Jiangsu, China |
| Model | AWS-1RE |
| Measurement Method | Filter Gravimetry |
| Measurable Parameters | PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, TSP, Low-Concentration Sampling Heads, No. 3 Impingers |
| Temperature Control Range | 15–30 °C (±0.5 °C) |
| Relative Humidity Control Range | 40–60 %RH (±5 %RH) |
| Cleanroom Class | ISO 14644-1 Class 6 |
| Max Throughput | 225 × 47 mm filters / 105 × 90 mm filters / 45 × No. 3 impingers per batch |
| Weighing Time per Filter | ≤20 s |
| Electrostatic Dissipation Efficiency | ≥92% |
| Balance Readability | 0.001 mg (optional 0.0001 mg) |
| Repeatability | 0.003 mg |
| Linearity Error | 0.02 mg |
| Vibration Isolation | Four-Tier Passive Damping System |
| Filter Identification | RFID + QR/Barcode |
| Data Compliance | ASTM D1357, ISO 12103-1, US EPA QA/QC Document 2.12, HJ 656–2013, EN 12341:2014, EN 14907:2005 |
Overview
The Derenda AWS-1RE Automated Gravimetric Weighing System is an integrated, ISO-compliant laboratory platform engineered for high-precision gravimetric analysis of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) filters under rigorously controlled environmental conditions. It implements standardized filter gravimetry—per ASTM D1357, ISO 12103-1, and US EPA Quality Assurance Document 2.12—as the primary measurement principle for determining mass concentration of PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, TSP, and low-concentration source emission samples. Unlike conventional manual weighing workflows, the AWS-1RE eliminates human-induced variability by automating the entire sequence: conditioned storage, electrostatic neutralization, RFID-guided positioning, micro-vibration-isolated weighing, and audit-trail data capture. Its core architecture integrates a Class 6 cleanroom environment (ISO 14644-1), dual-parameter climate control (15–30 °C ±0.5 °C; 40–60 %RH ±5 %RH), and a four-tier passive vibration isolation system—ensuring metrological stability without reliance on external HVAC infrastructure or dedicated structural foundations.
Key Features
- Full automation of gravimetric workflow: from RFID-tagged filter loading through electrostatic discharge, climate equilibration, and high-resolution weighing to digital archiving.
- Dual-mode identification support: RFID chips embedded in filter holders enable unambiguous traceability; optional QR/barcode scanning provides backward compatibility with legacy filter batches.
- Integrated FFU (Fan Filter Unit) array mounted at the chamber ceiling delivers laminar, ISO Class 6–compliant airflow—minimizing particle re-entrainment and surface contamination during handling.
- Modular sample staging: independent slots for 47 mm, 90 mm, and No. 3 impingers accommodate heterogeneous sampling media without cross-contamination or mechanical interference.
- Real-time electrostatic monitoring (optional): displays surface charge (in kV) per filter during weighing, enabling correlation between residual static and measurement drift.
- High-stability weighing subsystem: features a 0.001 mg readability analytical balance mounted on a dynamically decoupled granite island, isolated from both floor-borne and internal actuator vibrations.
- Batch processing capacity: handles up to 225 × 47 mm filters, 105 × 90 mm filters, or 45 × low-concentration sampling heads in a single unattended cycle.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The AWS-1RE supports all standard filter media used in regulatory ambient and source testing—including quartz fiber, PTFE, cellulose ester, and glass fiber—across diameters of 47 mm and 90 mm, as well as EPA Method 5/17-compatible No. 3 impingers and low-concentration sampling heads per US EPA 40 CFR Part 60 and Part 63. It meets the environmental conditioning requirements specified in HJ 656–2013 (China), EN 12341:2014 and EN 14907:2005 (Europe), and US EPA QA/QC Document 2.12 for ambient air monitoring networks. The system’s data structure conforms to 21 CFR Part 11 principles: electronic signatures, audit trails, role-based access control, and immutable record retention. All raw weight values, timestamps, environmental logs, and operator actions are time-stamped and cryptographically linked to individual filter IDs.
Software & Data Management
The embedded control software provides full lifecycle management—from method configuration and calibration scheduling to QC flagging and report generation. Each weighing event generates a structured XML metadata file containing balance serial number, temperature/humidity sensor readings, electrostatic voltage (if enabled), mechanical arm coordinates, and balance diagnostics. Data export supports CSV, PDF, and LIMS-ready formats compatible with major environmental data platforms (e.g., EQuIS, EnviroData). Cloud synchronization enables remote monitoring of instrument status, throughput metrics, and QC compliance alerts via secure HTTPS endpoints. All user actions—including method edits, calibration entries, and data exports—are logged with operator ID, timestamp, and IP address for GLP/GMP audit readiness.
Applications
- Ambient air quality monitoring stations performing routine PM₂.₅/PM₁₀ gravimetric analysis in accordance with national and international reference methods.
- Source emission testing laboratories quantifying low-concentration particulate mass from industrial stacks, incinerators, and combustion facilities.
- Research institutions conducting aerosol hygroscopicity, filtration efficiency, or deposition studies requiring strict humidity-controlled weighing protocols.
- Third-party environmental testing labs seeking ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation—leveraging automated traceability and reduced operator dependency to strengthen measurement uncertainty budgets.
- Academic teaching laboratories demonstrating metrological best practices in environmental sampling, mass measurement uncertainty, and regulatory QA/QC frameworks.
FAQ
Does the AWS-1RE comply with US EPA equivalency requirements for reference method determinations?
Yes—the system satisfies the environmental conditioning, weighing precision, and documentation requirements outlined in US EPA QA/QC Document 2.12 and 40 CFR Part 53 for reference and equivalent methods.
Can the system be integrated into an existing LIMS or ELN infrastructure?
Yes—via configurable RESTful API endpoints and scheduled FTP/SFTP exports; schema mappings for common LIMS fields (e.g., SampleID, FilterLot, Weight_g, RH_%RH, Temp_°C) are preconfigured.
Is validation support provided for IQ/OQ/PQ documentation?
Derenda supplies vendor-specific protocol templates aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 and GxP expectations, including test scripts for temperature/humidity uniformity mapping, balance linearity verification, and RFID read reliability assessment.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the FFU and electrostatic neutralizers?
FFU HEPA filters require replacement every 12 months under continuous operation; ionizing bars undergo performance verification quarterly using a calibrated electrostatic field meter per IEC 61340-5-1.
How is measurement uncertainty quantified for a typical PM₂.₅ filter weighing cycle?
Uncertainty contributors include balance repeatability (k=2, 0.003 mg), buoyancy correction (based on local air density), electrostatic residual (≤0.0005 mg post-neutralization), and environmental gradient effects (±0.0002 mg per 0.1 °C deviation)—all reported in the final certificate of analysis.
