How to Control Errors in Halogen Moisture Analyzers

Vital to daily production, the halogen analyzer's accuracy is every technician's concern. When NIR or halogen results differ from third-party reports, both the instrument and the method may be questioned—so how do we control its errors?

Far-infrared and halogen analyzers use loss on drying: heating volatilizes moisture, and the balance computes the percentage. Accuracy rests chiefly on balance precision and stability, plus heating speed and uniformity; halogen outperforms infrared on both at similar cost, driving its adoption.

Volatile solvents evaporate along with water, so weight loss overstates moisture—the more solvent, the larger the error. Control it via temperature: choose gentle heating for temperature-sensitive products to prevent volatilization and splatter.

Heating temperature accuracy also matters, so calibrate both weighing and temperature regularly. Most loss-on-drying analyzers calibrate only weighing; the VicoMeter VM-E series pioneered dual calibration, perfecting precision.

Recognized for speed, convenience, and accuracy, these analyzers still have sample limitations—buyers should understand their samples' properties and impurities.