MicroNIR PAT-U
A fit-for-purpose near-infrared (NIR) analyzer for quality-by-design (QbD) manufacturing
The MicroNIR™ PAT-U is a USB-powered NIR spectrometer. Compact, rugged and with no moving parts, it interfaces with processing equipment to enable Process Analytical Technology (PAT) solutions across multiple industries.
The user-friendly MicroNIR PAT-U was engineered to handle today's challenging GMP-regulated environments yet requires no system maintenance. There are no expensive fiber optic cables or moving components, enabling superior instrument stability and performance in challenging process environments. Its stainless steel case is water and dust resistant according to IP65/67 standards.
The MicroNIR PAT-U can be used in an easy manner and was designed for the present-day demanding GMP-regulated environments; however it still needs marginal system maintenance. There are no moving components or expensive fiber optic cables, enabling excellent instrument stability and performance in challenging process environments. Its stainless steel exterior is water and dust resistant according to IP65 standards and cleans easily.
Key features of the new MicroNIR PAT-U process spectrometer include:
Non-invasive, real-time NIR analysis
Compact for effortless integration
USB power and communication
Washable, IP65/67 rated enclosure
Fully qualified for GxP and Title 21 CFR-compliant installations
Applications of the new MicroNIR PAT-U process spectrometer include:
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Granulation
- Fluid bed drying
- Content uniformity
- Food and feed manufacturing
- Fat
- Moisture content
- Protein
- Fiber
- Industrial processing
- Polymers
- Reaction monitoring
- Petrochemicals
MicroNIR Software
The included MicroNIR Pro software suite has features for data acquisition, calibration and method development, user management, and real-time prediction. MicroNIR Pro can build and apply complete chemometric models using regression and classification algorithms including PLS, Moving Block, SMV, and PCA analyses. Batch mode predictions on stored data are also supported.
Options include an enhanced OPC interface for integration with process control systems and prediction engine add-ins for Camo Unscrambler, Eigenvector Research Solo Predictor and Sartorius SIMCA chemometric software.
Mounting and Process Integration
VIAVI offers multiple options for interfacing the PAT-U to process equipment via standard sanitary flanges and weld-in flanges with a sapphire process window that separates the MicroNIR from the material being analyzed.
Standard
The standard mount includes a weld in base flange, a 2” sanitary (hygienic) flange mount, a sapphire window, and a retaining ring with O-rings. The base flange is welded into a hole cut in the specific process equipment. Next, the window, the sanitary flange mount, and retaining ring are assembled. The PAT-U with a modifiable collet then secures against a sanitary flange and the window using a standard tri-clover clamp (or C-clamp). All pieces can be dismantled for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Threaded
The threaded mount allows a user to weld a mount into the process equipment and then link the PAT-U using the threaded tip of the spectrometer. This mount also has a removable window to allow easy cleaning and maintenance.
Standard lid mount kit with weld-in sanitary flange
Technical Specs
Parameter | Specification |
Illumination source | Two integrated vacuum tungsten lamps |
Bulb life | >40,000 hours |
Illumination geometry | Flood illumination/ 0° observer |
Input aperture dimensions | 2.5 x 3.0 mm |
Sample working distance | 0 – 15 mm from window |
Dispersing element | Linear variable filter |
Detector | 128-pixel InGaAs photodiode array |
Pixel size/pitch | 30 µm x 250 µm/50 µm |
Wavelength range | 950 – 1650 nm (10,526 – 6060 cm-1) |
Pixel-to-pixel interval | 6.2 nm for 950 – 1650 nm |
Spectral bandwidth (FWHM) | <1.25% of center wavelength (1% typical) (for example, @1000 nm, resolution is <12.5 nm) |
Analog-to-digital convertor | 16 bit |
Dynamic range (Max) | 1000:1 |
Measurement time (typical) | 0.25 – 0.5 second |
Integration time | 10 ms typical, minimum 10 µsec, maximum limited by dark signal |
Computer interface | USB 2.0 |
Spectrometer weight | 318 g (11.2 oz) |
Size | 45 mm diameter x 69 mm tall |
Power | USB powered (<500 mA @5V) |
Data format | Encrypted, Unsb, CSV, and SPC output |
Operating system | Windows 8.1, 8, and 7 |
Software available | MicroNIR Pro standard, Unscrambler X Lite, MicroNIR Process |
Operating temperature | 0 – 40 deg C (non-condensing) |
Enclosure | Stainless steel 316: dust and waterproof, sealed and cleanable to IP67 standard |
Mounting | Adaptable stainless steel tri-clover mount, screw into welded flange |