AquaLab Series 4TEV
- Measurements:
- Applications:
- Baked and Snack Foods,
- Beef Jerky,
- Candy and Confectionery,
- Cereal and Grain Products,
- Coffee/Tea,
- Cosmetics,
- Dried Distillers Grain,
- Dried/ Dehydrated Products,
- Materials,
- Nuts/Dried Fruit,
- Pet Food,
- Pharmaceuticals,
- Plastics,
- Processed/Cured Meat,
- Sauces/Dressings,
- Seed Longevity,
- Spices,
- Tobacco,
- Vegetable Oil
Water Activity of Samples Containing Volatiles
All the features of the Series 4TE plus a volatiles sensor for measuring samples containing propylene glycol, ethanol and other volatiles.
Easy Switching
The 4TEV comes with both a volatiles capacitance sensor and the standard Series 4 dewpoint sensor. You can switch between sensors using the 4TEV instrument menu.
- Fast - water activity readings in 5 minutes or less
- Switch easily between volatiles and non-volatiles sensors
- Volatiles sensor accuracy: ± 0.015 aw
- Non-volatiles sensor accuracy: ±0.003 aw
- Verifiable with independent salt standards
- Repeatable - different users, different locations, same result
- Portable - the meter weighs just 7 pounds
- Easy to use - precise measurements with minimal training
- Secure - offers administrative control over calibration and sample data
How It Works
Put a 7.5 ml product sample in a disposable cup, seal the sample chamber lid over the sample, and wait for vapor equilibrium.
For non-volatile samples, an infrared beam focused on a tiny mirror determines the precise dewpoint temperature of the sample. That dewpoint temperature is then translated into water activity.
For samples containing volatiles, a hygroscopic polymer sensor detects the equilibrium relative humidity of air in the headspace above the sample. This method is slightly less accurate than the dewpoint method (±0.015).
Use (Almost) Anywhere
Internal temperature control lets you set a measuring temperature between 15º - 50°C and use the instrument anywhere-even outside the QC lab.
Use the 4TE to get lab-quality water activity measurements at the line, receiving dock, processing plant, storage facility-anywhere you need to test and verify the safety and quality of your products and ingredients.
Easy to Clean
The sample chamber lid flips up so contaminated sensors are quick to spot and easy to clean.
Secure Data
The 4TE stores time, date, and user information with every measurement and calibration, and can store up to 10,000 secure data points.
Administrative functions can be set to control access to data. Designate up to 25 unique users and passwords. Use the RS-232 serial data port to download or print data for statistical analysis and to maintain compliance records and archives.
Comparisons
| Water Activity Meter | Series 4 TEV | Series 4 TE | Series 3 | Lite | Pawkit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor Type | Capacitance and Chilled Mirror Dewpoint | Chilled Mirror Dewpoint | Chilled Mirror Dewpoint | Capacitance Sensor |
Capacitance Sensor |
| Accuracy | ±0.003aw | ±0.003aw | ±0.003aw | ±0.015aw | ±0.02aw |
| Repeatability | ±0.001aw | ±0.001aw | ±0.001aw | ±0.005aw | — |
| Resolution | ±0.001aw | ±0.001aw | ±0.001aw | ±0.001aw | ±0.01aw |
| Range | 0.030 to 1.000 aw | 0.030 to 1.000 aw | 0.030 to 1.000 aw | 0.0 to 1.000aw | 0.0 to 1.0aw |
| Measurement Time | <5 minutes | <5 minutes | <5 minutes | 5 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Temperature Control | Internal 15-50° C ±0.2° C | Internal 15-50° C ±0.2° C | None | None | None |
| Part 11 Compliance | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Warranty | 3 years parts and labor | 3 years parts and labor | 3 years parts and labor | 1 year parts and labor | 1 year parts and labor (extention) |
Accessories
Printer
Print data straight from AquaLab in real time.
The printer has a 4.5 x 5 inch footprint (it's just over 2 inches tall), prints up to 40 characters per line, and uses 2.25 adding machine paper.
Temperature Equilibration Plate
Reduce reading time by pre-equlibrating the sample to instrument temperature on the temperature equilibration plate. The equilibration plate holds samples at any preset temperature between -10 and 100 º C.
Travel Case
Protect your AquaLab during transport. Airtight/watertight seal with extra thick wall construction. The series specific foam cutouts allow for a perfect fit. Specify series and model numbers when ordering.
Verification Standards
Use to check your instrument daily. Standards are salt solutions with specific molality and water activity (See your operator's manual for available molalities and water activities.)
Support
How-To Articles
- Sample Preparation Applications Note
- Video: Series 4TE Cleaning Video
- Video: How to use the AquaLab Series 4
- Video Index
Material Safety Data Sheet
- MSDS Activated Charcoal
- MSDS Decagon Cleaning Solution
- MSDS Distilled Water
- Material Safety Data Sheets
Manuals
Video
Information Sheet
Request Support
Email: support@decagon.com
Phone: 800-755-2751 or
509-332-2756
Fax: 509-332-5158
Or send us an information request:
Education
Newsletter Articles
- Newsletter-About Volatiles: The charcoal solution
- Newsletter - HACCP- Are you in Compliance
- Newletter - Humectants and Water Activity
- Newsletter - Hurdle Technology Improves Food Preservation
- Newsletter - Key concepts in water activity basics for safety & quality in food products
- Newsletter - Molds in and on foods
- Newsletter - The Temperature Dependence of Water Activity in Foods
- Newsletter - Water Activity and Pet Foods
Application Notes
- Fundamentals of Water Activity 2006
- Water Activity Tools
- Water Activity Definition
- Pharmaceutical Applications for Water Activity
- Water Activity for Meat and Poultry Jerky
- Sample Preparation Applications Note
- Water Activity of Dry and Dehydrated Products
- Water Activity and Plastics
- The Challenges of Measuring Moisture Content
- Water Activity: The Key to Pet Food Quality and Safety
- Water Activity for Meat Snacks
- Water Activity and Spices
- AquaLab Water Activity Instrument Performance
- Water Activity Before and After Freezing (AN-13991)
- Baby Formula Water Activity Testing Guide