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DHR/AR Rheometer: Configuring the Upper Heated Plate

The temperature of the Upper Heated Plate is controlled through the instrument firmware. For the best performance the control algorithm requires accurate information concerning the thermal properties of the Upper Heated Plate and the cooling fluid.

In TRIOS software, click the TRIOS button > Options > Discovery HR or AR > Temperature. The window shown below displays.

A list of the features are described below:

Cooling range: This is inversely proportional to the flow rate. For the vortex air cooler, use the value in the table below.
Cooling temperature: The temperature of the circulating water, measured at the inlet: should be entered manually. For the vortex air cooler, use the value given in the table below.

Feed	Temperature	Flow Rate	Range
Mains Tap Water	15°C	0.75 Liter min^-1	5°C
Fluid Circulator	5°C	0.25 Liter min^-1	15°C
Vortex Air Cooler	15°C	----	100°C

For configurations without an Upper Temperature Sensor (UTS):

Thermal mass: The energy required to raise the temperature of the upper platen. It is suggested that the value of 65 J/°C, obtained by TA Instruments, be used unless other information is available.
Gradient calibration span: Arrived at by calibration (see below) although a manual entry may be made.
Gradient calibration offset: Arrived at by calibration (see below) although a manual entry may be made.

For configurations with UTS:

Every UTS is uniquely calibrated with a traceable dry block temperature system during the manufacturing process. These calibration values are stored within the component, and used automatically by the system without operator involvement. The calibration described in Upper Heated Plate (UHP) Zero Heat Flow is not required when using a UTS.