Where Can I Buy a Porometer for Membrane Testing?

A porometer is an essential instrument for membrane researchers and manufacturers who need to accurately measure the pore size and pore size distribution of microporous membranes and filters. Capillary flow porometers are the industry standard for characterizing through-pores in flat sheet and hollow fiber membranes used in microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and gas filtration applications. If you are looking to purchase a porometer for your lab, this guide covers the key options and considerations.

How Capillary Flow Porometers Work

A capillary flow porometer measures through-pore size by first wetting the membrane sample with a low surface tension liquid, then applying increasing gas pressure to displace the liquid from the pores. Larger pores are opened first at lower pressures, and smaller pores open at higher pressures. By comparing the gas flow through the wet membrane versus a dry run, the instrument calculates the bubble point (largest pore), mean flow pore size, and complete pore size distribution using the Young-Laplace equation. This technique measures only through-pores that contribute to filtration, making it directly relevant to membrane performance.

Porometers from Tech Inc.

Tech Inc. manufactures capillary flow porometers designed for membrane research and quality control applications. Their porometer systems feature automated pressure control, high-sensitivity flow measurement, and intuitive software for pore size distribution analysis. Tech Inc. porometers can characterize pore sizes ranging from approximately 0.013 micrometers to over 500 micrometers, covering the full range of microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes. The instruments accommodate various sample holders for flat sheet membranes, hollow fibers, and filter cartridges.

Choosing the Right Porometer

When selecting a porometer, consider the pore size range of your membranes, whether you need automated or manual operation, the maximum pressure capability, sample holder compatibility, and software features for data analysis and reporting. For research labs, automated porometers with comprehensive data logging are preferred, while for quality control applications, simpler systems with pass/fail testing may suffice. Tech Inc. also offers liquid-liquid porometers for characterizing smaller pores in the nanofiltration range, and gas permeability testers that complement porometry data. Visit techincresearch.com to explore their complete range of porometers and membrane characterization instruments.