Application note

TURBISCAN

Migration phenomena with

the Turbiscan
INTRODUCTION
Application
All domains

Objective
Analyse Turbiscan data with
migration phenomena

One of the main applications of the Turbiscan, for stability purposes, is the
detection of migration phenomena. They are observed very easily on the profiles,
especially when putting them in reference mode (reference scan subtracted to all
other scans), even when nothing is visible to the eye (case of opaque or dark
samples).
As previously presented in another document Stability analysis with Turbiscan
(general cases), various parameters can be computed when such a phenomenon is
taking place:

The variation of backscattering (delta BS)

The phase thickness (delta H)

These calculations require the setting of the calculation zones, which can become
tricky in some cases. We propose to clarify this aspect in this document.

Device

CALCULATION OF PHASE THICKNESS

TURBISCAN LAB and

TURBISCAN Classic

The calculation of phase thickness (peak thickness for the Turbiscan LAB and
MA2000
), enables to monitor the evolution
absolute thickness for the Turbiscan Classic
of the thickness of the phases forming as they would be measured with the eye. This
calculation is performed in reference mode and requires in addition to the beginning
and the end of the phase layer, the setting of the threshold. This is often the trickiest
part of the analysis.
We recommend setting the threshold at half the height of the last profile. The reason
for this is described below.

Low packed phase

threshold
Dense packed phase

1?

Formulaction 2009 - 10 impasse borde basse 31240 L'Union France - Application Note - www.formulaction.com

Application note

TURBISCAN

When the system is highly polydisperse (picture on the left), some small particles
remain in suspension. In this case it is very difficult to see with the eye where the
separation between both phases is.
With the Turbiscan, we set the detection level in the middle of this hazy zone,
which corresponds to half the height of the last profile. Thereby, we ensure a good
reproducibility of the calculation and we obtain an objective analysis of the
destabilisation.
The version 1.x3 of the Turbiscan LAB enables to compute the slope all kinetics
curve. The migration velocity corresponds to the slope of the clarification phase
MA2000,
this calculation is performed through the
thickness. For the Turbiscan Classic
additional software Migrate.

CALCULATION OF DELTA BS
The calculation of delta BS (or delta T in the case of diluted products) is used when
the system undergoes several instabilities simultaneously (migration and particle
size increase) and it becomes difficult to set the threshold for phase thickness
calculations.
Delta BS will give information on the intensity, as well as on the kinetics of the
migration phenomenon.
The zones are set by putting the limits before and after the peak observed in
reference mode (see figure below).

Delta BS calculation for a simple

migration

Delta BS calculation for a complex

migration
(sedimentation + creaming +flocculation)

On the right graph, where there is both a sedimentation and a creaming phenomena
coupled with a particle size increase, it is the most robust and easy parameter to
compute. It will give global information on the instability taking place, allowing a
direct comparison between samples using the same calculation zone (see graph
below).

Delta BS curves overlaid for sample comparison.

The last version of the Turbiscan LAB software, version 1.x3, enables to
compute the slope of these curves as an easy comparison between
samples.

Formulaction 2009 - 10 impasse borde basse 31240 L'Union France - Application Note - www.formulaction.com