Development and production of online multi-component gas analyzers based on IMR mass spectrometry.
V&F Analyse- und Messtechnik GmbH
Absam, AustriaNew on Amplifa
About V&F
V&F Analyse- und Messtechnik GmbH, based in Absam, Austria, develops and produces online multi-component gas analyzers. Founded in 1985 by the physicists Johannes Villinger and Werner Federer as a spin-off of the University of Innsbruck, the company manufactures mass spectrometers based on the patented ion-molecule reaction (IMR-MS) as well as electron impact ionization (EI-MS), complemented by auxiliary devices for sample gas preparation such as sample collectors, calibration gas generators and switching systems, as well as matching software. Product lines include AirSense, CO2Sense, ComboSense, EISense, HydrogenSense, HSense, MotoSense, LubeSense, FuelSense, PETSense and TwinSense. The devices are used, among other things, for hydrogen purity measurements according to ISO 14687, CO2 quality control according to ISBT and EIGA, exhaust gas and oil consumption measurements in the automotive industry, as well as for environmental, food, tobacco and medical applications. Distribution is handled through international sales partners worldwide, complemented by OEM manufacturing and tailor-made software solutions. The company is certified according to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
- Site
- Absam
- Processes
- Online multi-component gas analysis using ion-molecule reaction mass spectrometry (IMR-MS), Online gas analysis using electron impact mass spectrometry (EI-MS), Measurement of H2 and He (HSense), CO2 quality analysis (purity test according to ISBT and EIGA), Hydrogen purity measurement for PEM fuel cells (ISO 14687:2019, SAE J2719), Oil consumption measurement using the SO2 tracer method, Oil dilution measurement (fuel in engine oil), Exhaust emission measurement (hydrocarbons, nitrogen and sulfur emissions)
- Materials
- Hydrogen (H2), Helium (He), CO2, Engine oil, Fuel, Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Ion-Molecule Reaction Mass Spectrometry, Electron Impact Ionization Mass Spectrometry
- Certificates
- ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018
- Founded
- 1985
- Industries
- Automotive Industry, Food Industry, Beverage Industry, Tobacco Industry, Alternative Energies (Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, Biomass Gasification, Carbon, Environmental Industry
- 01
Development of measuring instruments and software
- 02
Production and assembly of the analyzers in Absam
- 03
Quality inspection according to the QM system
- 04
Distribution via international sales partners and OEM customers
- 05
Service and maintenance of the measuring instruments
Technologies and Measurement Methods
Ion-Molecule Reaction Mass Spectrometry
Patented V&F core technology for fast, selective online multi-component gas analysis in the ppb to vol% range.
Electron Impact Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Classical quadrupole technology (70 eV, 1–100 amu) for main components and standard gas analysis.
Hydrogen and Helium Measurement
Fast, highly dynamic analysis of hydrogen and helium quality, e.g. for fuel cells according to ISO 14687:2019 and SAE J2719.
CO2 Quality Analysis
Purity testing of CO2 according to ISBT and EIGA criteria for the food and beverage industry.
Oil Consumption and Oil Dilution Measurement
Determination of oil consumption and fuel ingress into engine oil using the SO2 tracer method.
Locations
Absam
ATHeadquarters with development, production and sales
- Lot size
- Single-unit and series production (OEM mass production)
- Materials
- IMR-MS, EI-MS
Measuring Instruments and Applications
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online multi-component gas analysis using ion-molecule reaction mass spectrometry (IMR-MS)Testing | – | – | – | – | Gases |
| Online gas analysis using electron impact mass spectrometry (EI-MS)Testing | – | – | – | – | Gases |
| Measurement of H2 and He (HSense)Testing | – | – | – | – | Gases |
| CO2 quality analysis (purity test according to ISBT and EIGA)Testing | – | – | – | – | Gases |
| Hydrogen purity measurement for PEM fuel cells (ISO 14687:2019, SAE J2719)Testing | – | – | – | – | Gases |
| Oil consumption measurement using the SO2 tracer methodTesting | – | – | – | – | Engine oil, Exhaust gas |
| Oil dilution measurement (fuel in engine oil)Testing | – | – | – | – | Engine oil, Fuel |
| Exhaust emission measurement (hydrocarbons, nitrogen and sulfur emissions)Testing | – | – | – | – | Exhaust gas |
| Headspace analysis of gas samples (autosampler)Testing | – | – | – | – | Gases |
| Emission and immission measurement (environmental measurement of gaseous pollutants)Testing | – | – | – | – | Gases |
| Sample gas preparation (oxidation of sulfur components to SO2, sampling, calibration gas generation)Testing | – | – | – | – | Gases |
| Development and production of online multi-component gas analyzers (manufacturing)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
16 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMR-MS mass spectrometer (multi-purpose gas analyzer) | V&F AirSense | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| IMR-MS mass spectrometer (CO2 purity analysis) | V&F CO2Sense | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| IMR-MS mass spectrometer (PET bottle sniffer, OEM) | V&F PETSense | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| Mass spectrometer for engine exhaust emission measurement | V&F MotoSense | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| Mass spectrometer for oil consumption measurement (SO2 tracer method) | V&F LubeSense | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| Mass spectrometer for oil dilution measurement | V&F FuelSense | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| Combined EI-MS and IMR-MS mass spectrometer | V&F ComboSense | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| Combined EI-MS and IMR-MS mass spectrometer (hydrogen purity) | V&F HydrogenSense | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| Quadrupole electron impact mass spectrometer (70 eV, 1-100 amu) | V&F EISense | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| EI-MS mass spectrometer for H2 and He (mass range 2-4 amu, 65 kg, 534 x 743 x 639 mm) | V&F HSense | over 100 | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| Software-controlled tube furnace (oxidation of sulfur components to SO2) | V&F GasOxidizer | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| Oil sampling and separation system (spindle valve, partial pressure generator) | V&F LubeSampler | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| Headspace autosampler (70-sample tray, 12 heating oven positions) | Agilent G1888 V&F AutoSampler | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| Heated sample preparation module (up to 200°C, 0.5 µm ceramic surface filter, 0.8-5 bar abs.) | V&F PreSampler | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| Dynamic calibration gas generator (evaporator, dosing unit, two-stage dilution) | V&F GasGenerator | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
| Sample gas switching and preparation system (16-fold or 6-fold, heated) | V&F ValveBox | – | – | – | Absam, Austria |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
V&F Analyse- und Messtechnik GmbH is certified according to ISO 9001:2015; all processes from development through manufacturing to sales and service are subject to the quality management system. In addition, certified management systems according to ISO 14001:2015 (environment) and ISO 45001:2018 (occupational safety) are in place, each TÜV-certified.
| Evidence | Absam |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001:2015 | |
| ISO 14001:2015 | |
| ISO 45001:2018 |
History
- 1985
Foundation of V&F by Johannes Villinger and Werner Federer as a spin-off of the University of Innsbruck
- 1986
Presentation of the first gas measuring device CI-MS 500, start of series production of mass spectrometers
- 1988
Relocation from Arzl to Absam, award as a young company, introduction of SIMS 500, start of measurement applications with BMW Munich
- 1989
First sales agreement with PMS AB (Sweden), Plansee award, market launch of the CI-MS 1000
- 1990
IMR becomes the standard technology for engine and catalyst measurements in Europe and North America
- 1993
Coca Cola chooses V&F analyzers worldwide as testing technology for refillable PET bottles
- 1994
Move to the current company headquarters, OEM mass production of CANIS analyzers for Soudronic
- 1995
Start of the European EUREKA project, first Airsense analyzer (Airsense 500)
- 1996
Development of the first HSense prototype
- 1997
Sales agreement with MS4 (Germany), founding of the subsidiary V&F Gas Analysis Systems in Canada
- 1998
Acquisition of the entire IMR-MS business including patents from Atomika Instruments GmbH, presentation of the HSense
- 1999
Sales partner DHS in Switzerland, introduction of the Airsense 2000
- 2000
New sales partners in Italy and France, introduction of the CO2Sense for CO2 quality control
- 2001
Foundation of V&F Instruments in the USA, introduction of the Twin MS (TwinSense)
- 2002
Foundation of V&F medical development GmbH, introduction of the AirsenseCompact (ComboSense)
- 2003
Market entry in Asia with sales agreement with D2T Korea Co. Ltd., new .net device series
- 2004
Introduction of the TobaccoSense, OEM contract with Krones AG for PETSense
- 2005
Successful tests of perioperative breath analysis by V&F medical development GmbH