Handheld methanol meter:
Spark m-20
- Results on-site and within minutes
- Accurate and easy-in-use
- Independent of sample
The Spark M-20 is the first device for on-site measurement of methanol in liquids. Enabled by Alivion's Molecule Select technology, methanol is quantified at concentrations as low as 0.01 vol% within only 2 minutes. Use it to assure the quality of your products or even optimize your products and processes. Prevent intoxications, reputational damage, lawsuits as well as counterfeits from ruining your brand.
Accessories
Already low contents of methanol cause permanent blindness and even death to thousands of people each year according to Medecins Sans Frontiers. This could be prevented!
Strict Methanol guidelines exist for drinks, hand sanitizers, or inhaled air in EU, US and also other countries.
Laboratory analysis is expensive, time consuming and needs trained personnel. Why not do it on site and on your own, whenever you need to?
Highly accessible and convenient
All components in a portable carry case for onsite analysis, including calibration standards, sampling vials and pipettes. Rechargeable battery allows more than 50 measurements with a single charge.
Unmatched speed & ease of use
Simple sample preparation allows highly precise measurements independent of the sample. Results are displayed within 2 minutes and can be exported to a computer for archiving.
High quality results
Measure methanol concentrations in the whole relevant range and as low as 0.01 vol%. Highest accuracy is guaranteed through a built-in calibration function and adaptive temperature correction algorithms.
Step-by-Step Instruction
Insert 2 ml of your liquid into a samling vial.
Screw the vial into the device and follow its instructions.
Get your results within 2 min.
Documentation
Information and Regulations
Scientific studies
Spirit distillation: monitoring methanol formation with a hand-held device
ACS Food Science & Technology
FAQ AND ERRORS
Timeout during sampling
- Remove the sample vial within 10 seconds after the Alivion Spark M-20 displays “Remove sample”.
- Make sure to confirm the removal of the sample vial within 10 seconds.
Sampling vial not connected correctly
- Make sure an Alivion sample vial is screwed into the Alivion Spark M-20 before pressing “Continue” on the “Insert sample” screen.
- Make sure only original Alivion sample vials are used.
- Make sure the vial is screwed in hand-tight.
- Retry the measurement with a new sample vial.
- Check if the sealing O-ring is missing. If so, replace it with the included replacement or otherwise contact Alivion’s technical support.
- Check if the windings are damaged in any way. If so, please contact Alivion’s technical support.
Sampling vial removed too early
- Do not remove the sample vial before prompted to do so.
- Ensure that the sample vial is not moved or tilted during sampling.
Sampling failed (ERR 943)
- Ensure that exactly 2 mL of sample is poured into the sample vial.
- Ensure the adsorbent material in the sample vial is neither compressed nor removed.
- Make sure you use an original Alivion sample vial.
Measurement failed (ERR 950/951)
- Ensure the inlet of the Alivion Spark M-20 is clean. Remove debris, liquid, or alcoholic sample at the inlet of the device.
- Do not screw in a sample vial or block the inlet in any other way during the analysis.
Measurement failed (ERR 960/961)
- Retry the measurement with a freshly prepared sample.
- Retry the measurement with a different sample liquid.
- Contact Alivion’s technical support if the problem persists.
Critical error (952/953)
- Restart the device and retry the measurement.
- Contact Alivion’s technical support if the problem persists.
Calibration failed. Measurement error
- The calibration failed due to a measurement error described above. Follow the instruction for the respecting measurement error.
Temperature difference during calibration too large
- Ensure the ambient temperature does not change during the first and second calibration measurement. Retry the calibration once the temperature is constant.
Calibration failed (ERR 972-975)
- Ensure the correct standard was used for the calibration. For a 1-point calibration Alivion Methanol Standard 1 (orange) is used. For a 2-point calibration, Alivion Methanol Standard 1 (orange) is used first, followed by Alivion Methanol Standard 2 (blue).
- Ensure only original Alivion calibration standards and sample vials are used.
- Ensure the inlet of the device is clean and free of debris, liquid, or alcoholic sample.
- Ensure any used sample vials and pipettes are not near the inlet of the Spark M-20.
- Ensure no sample liquid is on the windings or rim of the sample vials.
Charging not possible during measurements
- Remove the charging cable from the device and retry your measurement.
- Disconnect the Alivion Spark M-20 from the computer and retry your measurement.
- Otherwise restart your Alivion Spark M-20 without a cable connection.
Please clear inlet
- Make sure nothing blocks the inlet of the Alivion Spark M-20. Remove any sample vials or debris at the inlet.
Temperature not within operational range
- The device can only be used for measurements within the operational temperature range of 10–35 °C.
- Make sure the ambient temperature is within the operational temperature range, let the device equilibrate and retry
- the measurement.
Measurement series is full
- Maximum 100 measurements can be saved in the active data series.
- Create a new data series under: Settings→Resets→New measurement series.
My results seem not accurate/consistent
- Ensure there are no warnings active.
- Ensure the device inlet is not contaminated with sample liquid. Otherwise clean it with a damp cloth, let it dry and try again.
- Ensure there is no sample liquid on the windings or the rim of the sample vials.
- Ensure the device, vials, pipettes and your sample liquid are all at ambient temperature.
- Ensure you prepare the sample vial with exactly 2 mL of sample liquid.
- Perform a new 2-point calibration.