"Thermal analysis data stations Software - (TADS) system" are used for interfacing with thermal analysis instruments. It consists of a Windows based software package and a dedicated hardware module for acquisition of experimental data. This System is not specific to any particular instrument make or model. TADS couples to the instrument non-invasively and in parallel by tapping the low level analog signals at the recorder points and acquiring data through a hardware module which handles signal conditioning, digital conversion and communication with the PC. In rare cases; where no analog signal tap exists in any form, the software package can still be utilized through a file exchange utility for processing of spectral data separately. Thus, the hardware module is optional.

TADS can acquire three signals at a time: Temperature, DTA/DSC/TMA and TG and it generates derivative profile of one primary signal internally. Extensive data acquisition, analysis and presentation features are provided in the Microsoft Windows based software. It is possible to do file analysis of experiment data with the acquisition running in the background.

1. Acquisition of three signals: Temperature, DTA or DSC or TMA and TG, with a derivative profile generated internally
2. Concurrent processing of filed spectra with data acquisition in the background
3. ASCII import/export for external compatibility
4. Software linearization for different thermocouples
5. Selectable sampling rate from 0.5 sec to 60 sec
6. Multiple sampling for noise reduction

1. Thermo-analytical techniques (DTA, DSC, TG and TMA) have been used extensively in diverse areas in chemical and metallurgical engineering, chemistry and materials science for quality assurance, process and product development as well as basic research

BARC has developed a generalized data acquisition and processing system, namely, "Thermal analysis data station software - (TADS) system " for interfacing with thermal analysis instruments. The system consisting of a software package and a dedicated hardware module. This system is not specific to any particular instrument make or model. TADS couples to the instrument non-invasively and in parallel by tapping the low level analog signals at the recorder points and acquiring data through a hardware module which handles signal conditioning, digital conversion and communication with the PC. In rare cases; where no analog signal tap exists in any form, the software package can be utilized through a file exchange utility for processing of experiment data separately. Thus the hardware module is optional.

TADS data station can acquire three signals at a time: Temperature, DTA/DSC/TMA and TG and it generates derivative profile of one primary signal internally. Extensive data acquisition, analysis and presentation features are provided in the Microsoft Windows based software. It is possible to do file analysis of experiment data with the acquisition running in the background.

1. Non model-specific – Can couple to different instruments non-invasively for data acquisition in parallel
2. Acquisition of three signals: Temperature, DTA or DSC or TMA and TG, with a derivative profile generated internally
3. Concurrent processing of filed spectra with data acquisition in the background
4. Data analysis functions include:
1. Peak evaluation for location, temperature at peak and net peak area
2. 6 types of baseline with interactive definition
3. Multiple smoothing with 5 to 19 points window using conventional or fuzzy logic based filter algorithms
4. Reaction on-set and end temperature determination
5. TG mass change profile
6. Glass transition temperature
5. System calibration of individual parameters with 10 point Least-square fit
6. Subtraction of blank run for background stripping
7. Summing and normalization of spectra
8. Trimming of data between region of interest
9. Compression of data for size
10. ASCII import/export for external compatibility
11. Software linearization for different thermocouples
12. Selectable sampling rate from 0.5 sec to 60 sec
13. Multiple sampling for noise reduction
14. Extensive features for display manipulations and data readout with a flexible plot-out for publications, reports etc.

1. Input signals: 10mv to 10V full scale
2. Sampling rate: 10 samples/sec
3. Resolution: 16-bit
4. Temperature signals can be acquired with or without software linearization for thermocouple characteristics.
5. Size: Approximately 9 cm(W) * 9cm (H) * 20cm (D), Stand-along housing, Power mains, 2W consumption

The unit contains hardware for signal conditioning, digital conversion and communication with PC over RS-232 serial port.

Thermo-analytical techniques (DTA, DSC, TG and TMA) have been used extensively in diverse areas in chemical and metallurgical engineering, chemistry and materials science for quality assurance, process and product development as well as basic research. Some examples are:

1. In nuclear fuel cycle – chemical quality control of fabricated fuel, reactor safety analysis with fuel's behavior in normal, transient and accident conditions, post-irradiation studies of fuel from nuclear power plants etc.
2. Study of in-organic, organic and analytical chemistry, e.g. study of thermal stability of compounds, thermodynamics of vaporization and solid state reactions, reaction kinetics etc.
3. Development of high temperature refractory materials, e.g. for furnace lining in nuclear fuel fabrication
4. Characterization of building materials
5. Checking of adulteration in oil and lubricants
6. Studies on corrosion and oxidation of metals.

A. Infrastructural Requirements

1. Space : 1 room of ~250 sq. ft. area.

System Requirement

1. OS : Windows Operating system Windows XP-Service Pack 3
2. Platform: 32-bit
3. RAM: 1Gb or more
4. Processor: Any processor with support for DirectX9.0 or greater.

B. Manpower Requirement

1. Electronic Engineer (1 person)
2. Software Engineer (1 person)

C. Electrical Power Requirement

1. 220 V, 50 Hz, Single phase, 15 A