Derenda AWS-2RE Automated Temperature- and Humidity-Controlled Weighing System

Overview

The Derenda AWS-2RE Automated Temperature- and Humidity-Controlled Weighing System is a fully integrated, metrology-grade platform engineered for gravimetric analysis of atmospheric particulate matter in compliance with international regulatory standards. It implements a closed-loop environmental control architecture based on PID-regulated dual-channel thermohygrometric management, coupled with ISO Class 6 cleanroom air handling and four-level mechanical vibration isolation. The system is designed to perform automated, traceable mass measurement of filter media used in PM_1.0, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and TSP sampling—alongside low-concentration stack emission filters (per HJ 836–2017), ambient air samplers (per HJ 656 and JJG 1036), and standardized reference materials. All operations occur within a hermetically sealed weighing chamber where temperature and relative humidity are maintained within ±0.5 °C and ±5 %RH tolerances respectively, satisfying the preconditioning requirements defined in GB/T 10586 and JJF 1101. The AWS-2RE eliminates manual handling variability, electrostatic interference, and environmental drift—ensuring high reproducibility across sequential batches and inter-laboratory comparisons.

Key Features

• Four-axis robotic sample transport system enabling precise, repeatable positioning of diverse substrates—including 47 mm and 90 mm filters, low-concentration samplers, No.3 impingers, and Petri dishes—without hardware reconfiguration.
• Multi-modal filter identification: integrated RFID chip reading at the filter support ring, plus optical recognition of QR codes and barcodes for full traceability and LIMS integration.
• Dual-mode environmental activation: scheduled pre-conditioning start-up allows users to align chamber stabilization with workflow timing, reducing standby energy consumption by up to 35% versus continuous operation.
• Real-time differential pressure monitoring with audible/visual alerts for HEPA/ULPA filter replacement; adjustable laminar airflow velocity (0.2–0.45 m/s) optimized for particle settling suppression and static dissipation.
• Automated static neutralization using ionized airflow generators achieving ≥92% charge removal efficiency prior to each weighing cycle—validated per IEC 61340-5-1.
• Independent anti-vibration support island for the analytical balance, mechanically decoupled from chassis and HVAC subsystems, meeting four-tier seismic-grade isolation per ISO 10816-1.
• Onboard 10.1″ touchscreen interface with dual-control capability: local operation or remote supervision via Ethernet/Wi-Fi with TLS-encrypted command channel and role-based access control.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AWS-2RE accommodates heterogeneous sample geometries and material compositions without recalibration or mechanical adaptation. Its universal fork carriage handles standard glass fiber, quartz, PTFE, and cellulose ester filters, as well as metal-backed low-concentration samplers and ceramic impingers. All operational parameters adhere to method-defined environmental envelopes in HJ 618, HJ 656, and HJ 836–2017. The system supports audit-ready documentation per GLP and GMP frameworks, including electronic signatures, full metadata logging (timestamp, operator ID, environmental readings, balance diagnostics), and immutable data export in CSV and XML formats compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements. Chamber cleanliness is certified to ISO 14644-1 Class 6 (≤3,520 particles ≥0.5 µm/m³), verified quarterly per ISO 14644-2.

Software & Data Management

Embedded firmware (v4.2+) provides real-time visualization of temperature/humidity trends, balance stability metrics, and robotic motion status. The AWS-2RE software suite enables batch programming with customizable templates for multi-format weighing sequences, automatic volumetric correction tables (e.g., flow rate × duration), and real-time mass concentration calculation (µg/m³) using user-defined sampling parameters. All raw and processed data—including environmental logs, balance output, RFID scan records, and static decay curves—are stored in an embedded SQL database with configurable retention policies. Remote database synchronization supports centralized lab informatics platforms (e.g., LabWare LIMS, Thermo Fisher SampleManager). Email notification triggers are configurable for critical events: low water level, filter clogging, calibration overdue, or deviation beyond control limits.

Applications

• Regulatory-grade gravimetric quantification of ambient PM_2.5/PM₁₀ filters under national ambient air quality monitoring programs.
• Low-concentration particulate emission testing from coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, and cement kilns per HJ 836–2017.
• Method validation and proficiency testing for accredited environmental laboratories seeking CNAS or ILAC-MRA recognition.
• Long-term stability studies of filter media hygroscopicity and mass drift under controlled RH gradients (40–60 %RH).
• High-throughput QC of filter batches prior to field deployment, including blank determination and recovery rate assessment.
• Support for research applications requiring strict environmental control: aerosol toxicity assays, microplastic filtration studies, and bioaerosol collection analysis.

FAQ

Does the AWS-2RE comply with U.S. EPA Reference Method PS-1 and EU EN 12341?
Yes—the environmental control specifications, weighing resolution (0.001 mg), and procedural traceability meet the metrological requirements of both standards for manual gravimetric analysis.
Can the system be integrated into an existing LIMS via HL7 or ASTM E1384?
Yes—data export supports ASTM E1384-compliant flat-file generation and optional HL7 ADT/ORU message mapping through the API module.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the FFU and static neutralizer?
HEPA/ULPA filters require replacement every 12 months or after 8,000 operating hours; ionizer emitters should be cleaned biweekly and replaced annually.
Is remote calibration of the internal balance supported?
No—external calibration with NIST-traceable weights remains mandatory per JJG 1036; however, the system logs all calibration events with digital signature and timestamp.
How is data integrity ensured during power interruption?
The AWS-2RE includes an integrated UPS interface supporting graceful shutdown and auto-resume; all active measurements are checkpointed to non-volatile memory before suspension.