Agilent Technologies Flow Tracker Series User manual

Agilent Technologies
Agilent
Flow Tracker Series
1000/2000
Reference Manual

2Reference Manual
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2002
No part of this manual may be reproduced in
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tronic storage and retrieval or translation
into a foreign language) without prior agree-
ment and written consent from Agilent
Technologies, Inc. as governed by United
States and international copyright laws.
Microsoft ® is a U.S. registered trademark
of Microsoft Corporation.
Edition
Second edition, May 2002
First edition, August 2001
Printed in USA
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
2850 Centerville Road
Wilmington, DE 19808-1610 USA
Safety Notices
CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a haz-
ard. It calls attention to an operat-
ing procedure, practice, or the like
that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in damage
to the product or loss of important
data. Do not proceed beyond a
CAUTION notice until the indicated
conditions are fully understood and
met.
WARNING
A WARNING notice denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to an
operating procedure, practice, or
the like that, if not correctly per-
formed or adhered to, could result
in personal injury or death. Do not
proceed beyond a WARNING
notice until the indicated condi-
tions are fully understood and
met.

3
Agilent Flow Tracker Series 1000/2000
Reference Manual
Agilent Technologies
Flow Tracker Series 1000/2000
Safety Information 4
Installation 6
Flow Measurement Operating Principle 9
Basic Operation 10
Operating Modes 14
RS-232 Output 29
Maintenance and Recalibration 32
Flow Tracker 1000/2000 Flow Measurement Specifications 34
Flow Tracker 2000 Leak Detector Specifications 35
The Agilent Flow Tracker 1000 and 2000 Series Gas
Chromatography flowmeters are designed to provide useful
flow information in one simple, reliable, and portable
instrument. The Flow Tracker 1000 has two operating modes,
Flow mode and Gas Chromatography (GC) mode. The Flow
Tracker 2000 has an additional Leak Detector mode and
incorporates a separate, built–in sampling pump and probe.
The Flow Tracker data presentation format uses a multi-line
LCD display that allows simultaneous viewing of all parameters
associated with the current operating mode. Selected
parameters can be brought to the enlarged “Primary Data”
position to simplify viewing of the parameter in which the user
is most interested at any given time.
The Flow Tracker RS-232 output allows data from the current
operating mode to be streamed in real-time to a laptop
computer for collection or analysis without specialized
software.

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Flow Tracker Series 1000/2000
Safety Information
General
For indoor use only. This product should not be used in
hazardous locations. This product is rated as Safety Class II,
Installation category II, and Pollution Degree 2. If this
equipment is used in a manner not specified, the protection
of the equipment may be impaired. Agilent Technologies
assumes no liability for the customer’s failure to comply with
these requirements.
• Operating temperature range is 10—50 °C.
• Operating humidity range is 0—90% RH (noncondensing).
• Maximum recommended altitude is 15,000 ft.
Electromagnetic compatability
This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits
of CISPR 11. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in an installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy. If not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, this device may cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception. This can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on. The user is encouraged to try to
correct any interference by taking one or more of the following
measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and the
receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for
help.
Unauthorized modification or installation of this equipment
may invalidate the user’s ability to operate this equipment.

Flow Tracker Series 1000/2000
Reference Manual 5
This ISM device complies with Canadian ICES-001.
Cet appareil ISM est conforme a la norme NMB-001 du Canada.
This device is CE marked for ISM Group 1, Class A equipment.

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Flow Tracker Series 1000/2000
Installation
The Agilent Flow Tracker Series flowmeters have standard
1/8-inch NPT (female) inlet and outlet fittings as shown in
Figure 1. To prevent possible clogging of the internal structure,
it is recommended that a 20-micron filter be installed upstream
of the flowmeter. The unit is packaged with simple plastic hose
barbs for your convenience, however any fitting that is
appropriate for the application can be substituted.
Figure 1 Connections
RS-232 plug
Leak sampling probe
(Flow Tracker 2000 only)
AC adapter plug
Exhaust
Flow
Sample exhaust
(Flow Tracker 2000 only)
Probe receptacle
RS-232 jack
P1 100 psi
≤

Flow Tracker Series 1000/2000
Reference Manual 7
Maximum operating line pressure is 100 PSIG (690 kPa) If the
line pressure is higher than 100 PSIG (690 kPa), a pressure
regulator must be used upstream from the flowmeter to reduce
the pressure to 100 PSIG (690 kPa) or less. Although the
flowmeter’s operation is unidirectional, reversing the direction
of the flow will not inflict any damage as long as the maximum
specified limits are not exceeded. The differential pressure
sensor used in the Flow Tracker is a very sensitive device
capable of detecting minute differences in pressure.
RS-232 output cable The Agilent Flow Trackers are equipped
with an 8-pin mini-DIN data output jack located as shown in
Figure 1. The included data cable plugs into this jack with the
flat on the cable plug towards the back of the flowmeter. If the
serial port on your computer is female, the flowmeter can
simply be plugged into your serial port via the included 8-pin
mini-DIN to DB-9 serial adapter cable. If the serial port on your
computer is male, you will need a common double–ended
female adapter cable.
CAUTION When installing fittings into the NPT ports, do not exceed 12 ft-lbs of
torque.
NOTE Use of pipe dopes and sealants on the NPT ports can cause permanent
damage to the flowmeter should they get into the flow stream. If a thread
sealing tape is required, avoid wrapping the first thread or two to minimize
the possibility of getting a piece of shredded tape into the flow stream.
When changing fittings, always clean any tape out of the threads that may
come loose and enter the flow stream.
CAUTION Exceeding the maximum specified line pressure may cause permanent
damage to the solid-state differential pressure transducer. Avoid
installations (such as snap–acting solenoid valves upstream) that
apply instantaneous high pressure to the flowmeter as permanent
damage to the differential pressure sensor could result.

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Flow Tracker Series 1000/2000
Power/batteries Power is supplied by six (6) standard AA size
batteries or by an optional AC/DC adapter (Part number
5183-4781). New batteries can provide power for several days of
continuous operation depending on the quality of the batteries
and whether the leak sampling pump (Flow Tracker 2000) is
used. The power adapter jack is located as shown in Figure 1. A
P-5 style, positive center 6-15 Vdc adapter rated for at least
100 mA is required.
To install the batteries:
1Remove the flexible boot from the flowmeter housing.
2Remove all three screws from the back cover.
3Carefully remove the back cover to expose the battery
housing.
4Install the batteries as shown on the back cover.
5Replace the back cover and re-install the screws.
6Replace the flexible boot, pushing the bottom end of the
flowmeter into the boot first.
NOTE The auto-off feature automatically shuts the flowmeter off after
approximately 5 minutes of continuous no flow (less than 4 mL/min)
condition. This applies only under battery power. The auto-off feature is
disabled when power is supplied via an AC to DC adapter.

Flow Tracker Series 1000/2000
Reference Manual 9
Flow Measurement Operating Principle
The volumetric flow rate is determined by creating a pressure
drop across a unique internal restriction (known as a Laminar
Flow Element) and measuring differential pressure across it.
The restriction is designed so that the gas molecules are forced
to move in parallel paths along the entire length of the passage;
hence Laminar (streamline) flow is established for the entire
range of operation of the device.
Unlike other flow measuring devices, in laminar flowmeters the
relationship between pressure drop and flow is linear. The
underlying principle of operation of the Agilent Flow Tracker
Series flowmeters is known as the Poiseuille Equation:
Since π, r and L are constant, this equation can be rewritten as:
The second equation shows the linear relationship between
volumetric flow rate (Q), differential pressure (∆P), and
absolute viscosity (η) in a simpler form.
Q = (P1-P2)πr4/8ηL
where: Q = volumetric flow rate
P1 = static pressure at the inlet
P2 = static pressure at the outlet
r = radius of the restriction
η = (eta) absolute viscosity of the fluid or gas
L = length of the restriction
Q = K (∆P/η)
where: K= a constant factor determined by the geometry of the
restriction.

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Flow Tracker Series 1000/2000
Basic Operation
Operation of the Agilent Flow Tracker Series flowmeters is very
intuitive. The operating modes are explored in considerable
detail in the Operating Modes section.
In general, each operating mode displays all of the parameters
that are associated with that mode of operation. Each
parameter has a button associated with it and is labeled either
by a “dynamic label” on the display, or, if it is a global parameter
(a parameter which is common to all modes) the associated
button is labeled directly. The two global parameters are GAS
and MODE.
Dynamically labeled parameters are either active or passive.
Active parameters are directly affected by the flow and are
constantly changing. These parameters can be moved to the
primary display by pushing the button associated with them.
Passive parameters are usually variables that require input
from the user. The buttons associated with passive parameters
are used to select the value of the variable.
A quick overview of the operating modes and their parameters
is given in Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3.
Table 1 Flow mode (default on power up)
Parameter Label Active/Passive Button action
Line pressure PSIA Active Primary display
Gas temp °C Active Primary display
Volumetric flow Vol Active Primary display
Mass flow Mass Active Primary display (default)
Gas GAS Passive Toggles through gas list
Operating mode MODE Passive Toggles through modes