Versatile Refractometer J257

 

Benchtop Refractometer with Extended Measurement Range

A highly versatile Refractometer, the Rudolph Research J257 was developed by working together with laboratory refractometer users from the polymer, petroleum,  petrochemical, pharmaceutical and essential oil industries. The J257 is a fully Automatic, Digital Refractometer, featuring electronic cooling and heating. In addition, it has an extended Refractive Index (RI) measurement range. The J257 is part of the Rudolph Research Refractometer Product Line.

Refractometer J257

Key Features

  • Easy to clean, shallow Sample well. A clean sample well is imperative to accurate measurements
  • 3-Year Domestic Warranty
  • Lifetime Support Guarantee
  • Modern Refractometer Data Storage
  • Wide Measurement Range for the Chemical Industry
  • Durability to stand up to the harshest environments
  • High Accuracy
  • Most importantly, rugged design as well as small foot print
  • In addition, J57VT offers an wide Refractive Index (RI) measurement range from 1.26 – 1.70

Specifications

Measurement ScalesRefractive Index (RI) BRIX (% sucrose) Temperature Corrected BRIX Temperature Corrected RI 100 User Programmable Scales
Measurement Range1.26 – 1.72 RI, 0 – 100 BRIX
ResolutionRefractive index ±0.0001(Standard), ±0.00001 (Optional) BRIX ±0.1(Standard), ±0.01 (Optional)
Repeatability±0.0001 RI, ±0.1 BRIX
Accuracy±0.0001 RI, ±0.1 BRIX
Optical Wavelength589.3nm (other wavelengths available)
PrismIndustrial Sapphire
Light SourceLight Emitting Diode (est. life: >100,000 hrs.)
Response TimeContinuous readout or user programmable delay (i.e. a 25ºC sample can be cooled to 20ºC and measured in 20 seconds)
Communication Interface3 USB RS232 ports Cat5 Network (Ethernet)
Analog Control0-10 volts, 4-20 mA
Temp. Control Range (within 10C of ambient)10ºC – 100ºC *other temperature control options are available – 5ºC – 110ºC available with temperature boost option.
Temp. Sensor Accuracy±0.05ºC
Ambient Temp. Limit5ºC – 40ºC
Temp. Correction Range4ºC – 95ºC (for pure sucrose solutions)
Temp. ControlPrism surface and presser
Calibration1, 2 or full multi-point calibration
Operating DimensionsL: 15.25″ W: 10″ H: 4.5″ / 23 lbs.
Shipping DimensionsL: 26″ W: 21″ H: 16″ / 30 lbs.
Power Requirements100-240 volts, 50 Hz – 60 Hz

Rudolph J257
Wide Range Refractometer

Versatile Refractometer for a
Wide Range of Applications

Rudolph Research’s J257 is designed as a multipurpose versatile refractometer for a broad range of (RI) refractive index measurement applications. Many laboratories need the versatility of a wide range refractometer as they measure many varied samples. The J257 measures the widest possible range of Refractive Index from 1.26 to 1.72 RI. This means that this instrument can measure many materials that a refractometer with only a food refractive index range of 1.33-1.53 cannot.

Unique Features and Capabilities
to meet your Application

Operating the Rudolph J257 is as simple as placing a sample on the prism, closing the cover and reading the results on the digital screen — all in just a few seconds. Being fully automatic there there are no shadow lines to match and there is no eyepiece requiring any kind of operator determination or manual adjustment. When the “measure when stable” mode is selected, the J257 automatically waits until the sample has been heated or cooled to a predefined temperature before initiating a measurement.

A large 7.5cm x 10cm cold cathode fluorescent back lit, digital LCD allows the scale, sample temperature, set temperature, air temperature, time, date, and temperature correction status to be easily viewed. All functions are activated through a touch screen panel that will not wear out or get misplaced like traditional or detachable keyboards. The durable touch screen is resistant to fingernails, sharp objects, chemicals, and acids.

The J257 Refractometer offers various data storage options to meet the needs of any lab and any compliance requirement. With 32mb of on-board memory the J257 can work on a stand-alone basis or memory sticks can be utilized to expand memory or make data easily transportable to a PC. The J257 is easily connected to your network or may be linked with a PC. For all data storage options see: Refractometer Data Storage

Unlike other temperature controlled refractometers, the J257 digital refractometer has temperature control from both above and below the sample. The sample cover is controlled to the same temperature as the prism and, when lowered, is designed to provide a temperature controlled micro-environment that provides unrivaled temperature stability, fast measurement time, and minimal evaporation. Depending on options, the sample cover can also be used to initiate measurement. This means that the operator never even needs to touch the refractometer screen on a day-to-day basis, simply lower the cover and measurement starts automatically.

The J257 is available with an optional Temperature Controlled Sample Presser that touches the sample. This make the J257 one of the most versatile refractometers for a very wide range of uses. Compared with the standard temperature controlled Cover, the optional Presser reduces the empty volume of the measurement area thereby decreasing evaporation and at the same time helping to evenly spread semi-solid materials over the refractometer’s measurement prism. This feature offers improved refractive index (RI) readings on a wide range of often hard to measure samples.

The Rudolph J257 Versatile Refractometer offers 1 pt, 2 pt, or a full multi-point calibration. Calibration can be done at 20°C, 25°C or any user selectable temperature within the available range. Regardless of how many times the refractometer has been calibrated, it can always be restored to the initial factory calibration if required.

Versatile refractometers in the lab have the advantage of being able to display a lot of information, however this versatility can also lead to confusion, with extra buttons and by forcing the operator to interpret extra information that may have no relevance to their application. The J Series customizable digital refractometer, display allows the instrument to be configured to exactly what is required for each application. The customizable keypad can be “locked out” or just a few keys can be operable, i.e. the measure key, print key, zero key, customer specified sample keys or any combination thereof. The lockout function, calibration and other functions are all password protected.

The Rudolph J Series refractometers are rugged, laboratory instruments offering a sapphire prism for high mechanical and chemical durability. The sample well is made of acid resistant ,316 stainless steel with a Techtron sealing ring. There is no lamp to change, the LED light source is guaranteed for 1,000,000 measurements.

Target
Markets

Pharmaceutical

Description

Pharmaceutical measurement demands meeting the required standard, for example USP<831>, EP2.2.6 and similar. There is no “good enough” in pharma, additives and formulations must meet USP requirements. Documentation is also key, simply generating a number is not enough. The laboratory has to be able to prove calibration and, when it is operating under 21 CFR 11; document who did the measurement and create an audit trail showing every interaction with the instrument. Additionally, the operating software and data security has to be proven to work by an IQOQPQ before acceptance.
From a measurement system point of view it is also important that the instrument has the broad range to measure pharmaceuticals. This includes materials like sevoflurane (RI of 1.26) and cinnamon oil (RI of 1.61). A food or even a general chemical refractometer usually does not have sufficient range to cover this.

Why Choose Rudolph

  • Proven 21 CFR 11 system with electronic signature and full audit trail documentation
  • Detailed IQOQPQ using traceable standards across the whole range of the instrument.
  • Wide enough range to measure everything in the USP / EP / BP / IP / CP / JP.

Typical Rudolph Users

  • Reference laboratories like the USP need to be able to measure EVERY material in the Pharmacopeia and find the wide range of the J257 essential.
  • GSK, Merck, Pfizer all use the J series for checking incoming raw materials.
  • Biogen uses the J series for in process concentration measurement.

Three Choices From Rudolph

J257

Sufficient range to measure all pharmaceutical products, sufficient accuracy to meet all Pharmacopeia needs, integrated 21 CFR 11.

J357

Similar to the J257 but providing extra accuracy allowing some headroom above the pharma requirements.

J457

Rudolph optics with your choice of networked PC. Utilizing Rudolph 21 CFR 11 software making the system easier to monitor and back up by remote located IT departments

Chemical Concentration Measurements

Description

Many chemicals are sold and shipped as solutions. Both suppliers and end users want to know the exact concentration of the solution. That concentration determines the value of the material and, from a users point of view, how much is added to the process mixture. Refractometers are an extremely quick way to validate starting material purity, measure concentrations, and validate mixture end points. Our rugged instruments can be located in a load out area or beside a production line, not just in a lab.

Why Choose Rudolph

  • Chemical measurement needs temperature control, not correction, and all Rudolph refractometers from the J57 above have this.
  • Confidence in the products you ship to your customers with validated instruments with validated standards and measurement processes.
  • Many solvents have Refractive Indices(RI) outside of the range that a food refractometer can measure; a specialty chemical model is needed.

Typical Rudolph Users

  • Most countries now require that urea solutions be a part of diesel exhaust emission systems. This fluid goes by different names such as Adblue, DEF and ARLA. Manufacturers like YARA and distributors like BRENNTAG use Rudolph.
  • Manufacturers of polymers like Nylon need to monitor raw material solutions. Dupont / Kordsa are just one of many Rudolph users.
  • Urea Formaldehyde and Phenol Formaldehyde resins are critically important to the wood industry. Manufacturers like Hexion and Dynea use Rudolph as part of process control.

Three Choices From Rudolph

J57

Very simple to operate, minimal bench space and a good choice when there is just one dedicated application.

J357

Very wide range so it can measure materials dissolved in fluorocarbon solvents. Flat, easy to clean prism, with on-board concentration programming.

J457

All the advantages of the J357 but operating from a seperate computer allowing easy data transfer to SAP, Excel and similar.

Food Quality Control

Description

Measurement of Brix is central to food manufacturing. Consistant Brix measure is key to product consistency. Food product profit margins are tight, so careful monitoring of the quality of incoming raw material and also strict monitoring of how much of that raw material is used in the process are the main drivers of factory profit.
Brix Range 0-100; RI Range 1.33-1.53; 1.29-1.72

Why Choose Rudolph

  • Accuracy in the second decimal place in Brix means the ability to stay closer to specification.
  • Temperature control allows the instrument to be calibrated with traceable references to meet ISO and similar standards.
  • Flat, easy clean prism means better results even when used by non-laboratory trained operators.

Typical Rudolph Users

  • Cargill and ADM uses Rudolph Refractometers in ingredient manufacturing plants globally.
  • Mars Wrigley use Rudolph instruments to check the quality of incoming flavor materials.
  • Nestle uses Rudolph to check the quality of tomato products for prepared meals.

Three Choices From Rudolph

J57

Very simple to operate, minimal bench space and a good choice when there is just one dedicated application.

J357

Very wide range so it can measure materials dissolved in fluorocarbon solvents. Flat, easy to clean prism, with on-board concentration programming.

J457

All the advantages of the J357 but operating from a seperate computer allowing easy data transfer to SAP, Excel and similar.

Biological Fluid Analysis

Description

Samples are sometimes very difficult to obtain, and the refractometer test is a “non-destructive” test on a very small sample volume. The sample might come from a small animal and the volume is minimal. Samples from humans are subject to regulations and right of refusal, and retaining the sample is important. The number of samples tested is often very high, and the refractometer is a rapid test. There is a lot of variability between biological entities and, in the case of humans, testing often matters by individual, it’s not enough to just test one or two and use that for the group. Large samples can be divided up into smaller volumes for repeat testing.

Why Choose Rudolph

  • Fast measure speed enables a laboratory to process a large number of samples on one instrument.
  • Ultra-low volume models available to measure with small amounts of sample.
  • Automated systems for easy measurement of large sample sets.

Typical Rudolph Users

  • Labcorp, Quest and Clinical Reference Labs all use J57 refractometers for workplace drug testing.
  • Mt. Sinai Hospital uses a J457ULV for medical research.
  • The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority uses a J457/R837 for monitoring the presence of performance enhancing drugs in both local and international sports.

Three Choices From Rudolph

J57
HA-EP

The standard reference instrument for urine Specific Gravity(SG) measurement for workplace drug testing.

J457
ULV

Ultra low volume design (as low as 10μl) for research applications.

J457
OMDP

Automated system
for high volume testing.

Sugars

Description

The sugar processing industry uses refractometers across the entire production process. Whether the source is sucrose from sugar cane or sugar beets, or corn based sweeteners our refractometers monitor Brix and Refractometer Dissolved Solids (RDS) in all aspects of our customers processing. Accurate Brix and RDS measurement is a key to process control, and end product purity all which help sweeten the bottom line.

Why Choose Rudolph

  • Very easy to operate for rotating seasonal staff.
  • Temperature control allows the instrument to be calibrated with traceable references to meet ISO and ICUMSA.
  • Flat, easy clean prism means better results even when used with a variety of sugar sample types.

Typical Rudolph Users

  • American Sugar Refining uses many J57 refractometers in both processes and finished product laboratories around the world.
  • Western Sugar uses many J57 instruments in factory labs.
  • Dangote Sugar uses J457 refractometers in factories in Africa.

Three Choices From Rudolph

J57 HA-EP

Very simple to operate, minimal bench space, temperature controlled.

J457KVP

Pour-In design allows for high through put of similar samples with regular prism cleaning.

Autopol 880 & J157

Combined solution for sugar purity measurements.

System Components

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