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Problem

Methanol - an underestimated danger


In the EU, the USA and other countries, strict guidelines exist for methanol in beverages, hand sanitizers or the air, even small amounts of methanol can be deadly for humans.


Until now, laboratory analyses for the detection of contaminants are expensive, time-consuming and require specialised workers.

Solution

Mobile methanol detection


The Spark M-20 is the world's first portable methanol detector. It was developed together with government institutions and renowned distilleries to ensure maximum user-friendliness and quality.


Details at a glance:

  • Laboratory in pocket format
  • Direct measurement on-site; results in minutes
  • Methanol content can be measured within 0.01% accuracy
  • Multipurpose: fruit brandy, grappa, whisky, calvados, rum, brandy, but also perfumes and disinfectants can be measured
  • Can store up to 1,000 measurement results



Spark M-20 mobile methanol detector
Solution

Mobile methanol detection


The Spark M-20 is the world's first portable methanol detector. It was developed together with government institutions and renowned distilleries to ensure maximum user-friendliness and quality.


Spark M-20 mobile methanol detector
Spark M-20

A Swiss quality product

Efficiency & Cost savings
Reliable quality control
Highest quality standards
Testimonials

This is what our customers say


Modern distillers combine old knowledge with the latest technology and dedicate themselves with great devotion to their fine spirits. The motto here is "quality before quantity" - without compromise. With the Spark M-20, the highest quality and safety standards are guaranteed at every stage of the distilling process.

“We are proud to be the first distillery in the world to use the Spark M-20. For us, safety and quality have been the highest priority since 1846.”

Peter Anderhub, Production Manager - S. Fassbind AG

Distillery Zgraggen uses Spark M-20

"We are glad to integrate the Spark M-20 into our quality management system. For the first time, methanol in spirits can be quantified quickly and efficiently."

Daniel Z’graggen, Managing Director - Z’GRAGGEN Distillerie AG

Distillery Etter uses Spark M-20

"Our quality is our future."

Gabriel Galliker-Etter, Managing Director - ETTER SOEHNE AG

Distillery Studer uses Spark M-20
"The highest requirements for product safety have always been a standard for us. We are glad that Alivion will support us with this in the future.

Reto Meier, Master distiller & Jonathan Schönberger, Junior CEO - Distillerie Studer & Co AG

Distillery Maass uses Spark M-20

"We stand for the highest quality, which is proven to us with Alivion."

Matthias Maass, Junior CEO - Turabauer Maass Brand
Distillery Freihof uses Spark M-20

"Alivion's Spark M-20 allows us to check the quality of our fine spirits quickly and accurately."

Lukas Holzer, distiller & Benjamin Faigle, distiller - Destillerie Freihof GmbH

Distillery Psenner uses Spark M-20

"With the best raw materials and years of experience, we ensure the high quality of our products. Alivion helps us to test the heart of our distillates even more directly."

Patrick Ceolan, Master Distiller & Moritz Enderle, Master Distiller - L. Psenner GmbH

“As a dynamic, modern and yet traditional Swiss family business, our corporate philosophy places the highest quality in every respect at the center of our activities. With Alivion, we will be able to directly check and ensure the quality of our fires in the future.”

Claudio Steimen, Master Vegetable Gardener & Junior Manager - Steimen Gemüsekulturen

Measuring Process

How it works

Put 2 ml of your liquid into a sample glass

Put 2 ml of your liquid into a sample glass.


Screw the sample glass onto the meter & follow the instructions.

Screw the sample glass onto the meter & follow the instructions.

You will receive your measurement results within 2 minutes.

You will receive your measurement results within 2 minutes.


Documents

Documentation
Information
Studies

Our distributors

Germany

Australia

India & Bangladesh

Philippines

France

Vietnam

Portugal

United Kingdom

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Timeout during sample taking


  • Remove the sample glass within 10 seconds after the text "Remove sample" has appeared on the display of the Spark M-20.
  • Make sure you confirm the removal of the sample glass within 10 seconds (confirmation button).



Sample glass not inserted correctly


  • Make sure that a sample glass is screwed into the device before selecting "Next" on the "Insert sample" screen.
  • Make sure that only supplied original Alivion sample glasses are used.
  • Make sure that the sample glass is screwed tightly.
  • Try to repeat the measurement with a new sample glass.
  • Check if the sealing ring is missing. If so, please contact Alivion technical support (tel. +41 41 589 61 11).
  • Check if the thread of the sample glass or the measuring device is damaged in some way. If so, please contact Alivion.



Sample glass removed too early


  • Do not remove the sample glass until you are instructed to do so.
  • Do not move or tilt the sample glass during sample taking.



Sampling failed (ERR 943)


  • Make sure that exactly 2 ml of the sample is filled into the sample glass.
  • Make sure that the adsorbent in the sample glass is not compressed or removed.
  • Make sure that you use an original Alivion sample glass.




Measurement failed (ERR 950/951)


  • Make sure the inlet on the underside of the Spark M-20 is clean. Remove any contaminants, liquids or alcohol samples from the inlet.
  • Do not screw in a sample glass or block the inlet in any other way during analysis.



Measurement failed (ERR 960/961)


  • Try to repeat the measurement with a freshly prepared sample.
  • Try to repeat the measurement with another liquid sample.
  • Contact Alivion technical support (tel. +41 41 589 61 11) if the problem persists.



Critical error (ERR 952/953)


  • Restart the device and try the measurement again.
  • Contact Alivion technical support (tel. +41 41 589 61 11) if the problem persists.


Calibration failed Measurement error


  • Calibration has failed due to a measurement error described above.
  • Follow the instructions for the corresponding measurement error.



Temperature difference during calibration too high


Make sure that the ambient temperature does not change between the first and the second calibration measurement. Try the calibration again when the temperature is constant.



Calibration failed (ERR 972-975)


  • Make sure that the correct calibration solution is used. For a 1-point calibration, use the Alivion Methanol Standard 1 (orange). For a 2-point calibration, use Alivion Methanol Standard 1 (orange) first and then Alivion Methanol Standard 2 (blue).
  • Make sure that original Alivion calibration solutions and sample glasses are used.
  • Ensure that the instrument inlet is clean and free from contaminants, liquids, or alcoholic samples.
  • Make sure that there are no used sample glasses and pipettes near the Spark M-20 inlet.
  • Make sure that there is no liquid on the thread or on the rim of the sample glass.



Charging not possible during measurement


  • Remove the charging cable from the device and repeat the measurement.
  • Disconnect Alivion's Spark M-20 from the computer and try the measurement again.
  • Alternatively, you can restart Alivion's Spark M-20 without the cable plugged in.



Please clean the inlet


Make sure that the inlet of the Alivion Spark M-20 is not blocked. Remove any sample glass or debris from the inlet.



Temperature outside the operating window


  • The unit can only be operated at ambient temperatures of 10 °C to 35 °C.
  • Make sure that the ambient temperature is within the operating temperature range, let the unit adjust and try the measurement again.



The current measurement range is full


  • A maximum of 100 measurements can be stored in the active row.
  • Create a new record via: Settings→Reset→New measurement series.


My results seem to be inaccurate or inconsistent



  • Make sure that there are no active warning symbols.
  • Make sure that the inlet of the Spark M-20 is not contaminated. Remove contamination with a damp cloth and allow the affected areas to dry.
  • Make sure that there are no liquids on the threads or on the rim of the sample tubes.
  • Make sure that the instrument, the sample glasses, the pipettes and the liquid sample are at ambient temperature.
  • Make sure that the sample glass has been prepared with exactly 2 ml of liquid sample.
  • Regularly perform a new 2-point calibration.