Elster gas-lab Q1 Guide

2013 Elster GmbH Edition a 19.3.2013
Gas quality analyser Q1
Technical documentation
Function, operation,
commissioning and maintenance
FCQ1-BAShort-EN a 19.3.2013

Page ii gas-lab Q1
Copyright
2013 Elster GmbH
GAS-WORKS, Z1, gas-lab Q1, and FLOW COMP are German
registered trademarks of Elster.
Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation.
HART is a registered trademark of HART Communication
Foundation.
Elster GmbH
Schlossstraße 95a
D - 44357 Dortmund, Germany
Tel.:[phone]
Fax:[phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

gas-lab Q1 Page iii
Contents
Safety and warning notes.................................................................................v
1Introduction...............................................................................................1
1.1 The gas-net system idea......................................................................1
1.2 The measuring principle.......................................................................1
2Device view and design............................................................................5
2.1 Sensor system.....................................................................................5
2.2 Evaluation computer ............................................................................7
3Operating gas-net devices .....................................................................11
3.1 The keypad........................................................................................11
3.2 Other operating elements: status LED, calibration switch..................12
3.3 Display...............................................................................................14
3.4 Displays / Menus / Dialogs.................................................................14
4Primer for impatient operators: What do I have to do to …? .............25
4.1 ... view the gas quality error listing?...................................................25
4.2 … accept the gas quality measurement errors?.................................26
4.3 … check all parameter settings?........................................................27
4.4… check the input values?.................................................................28
4.5 … view and check the outputs? .........................................................28
4.6 … view the archives?.........................................................................28
5Functional description............................................................................29
5.1 Gas quality module ............................................................................29
5.2 Data logging module..........................................................................53
5.3 Monitoring module .............................................................................59
5.4 System module..................................................................................78
5.5 Integrated RDT module......................................................................87
5.6 DSfG module, Data exchange module...............................................89
6GAS-WORKS / GW-GNET+.....................................................................97
6.1 Compiling and exporting a parameterisation: Brief description..........98
6.2 Importing and editing a parameterisation: Brief description .............101
6.3 Extras: GW-GNET+ service programs.............................................103
6.4 Optional: GW-Remote+ for downloading archives...........................105

Page iv gas-lab Q1
7Installation............................................................................................. 107
7.1 Mounting the gas-net Q1................................................................. 107
7.2 Connecting the lines........................................................................ 107
7.3 Mounting the sensor system............................................................ 117
8Commissioning..................................................................................... 121
8.1 Parameter protection against unauthorised access......................... 121
8.2 Parameterisation ............................................................................. 122
8.3 Sealing of the device (if applicable/when required) ......................... 122
8.4 Commissioning of Integrated RDT module..................................... 122
8.5 Commissioning the sensor system.................................................. 123
9Maintenance.......................................................................................... 125
9.1 Maintaining the gas-net Q1 evaluation computer ............................ 125
9.2 Maintaining the gas-lab Q1 sensor system...................................... 128
10 Technical data: Q1................................................................................ 129
10.1 Device type...................................................................................... 129
10.2 Sensor technology details (gas-lab Q1)........................................... 129
10.3 Evaluation computer details (gas-net Q1)........................................ 131
11 Annex..................................................................................................... 135
11.1 Error listing of the gas-lab Q1.......................................................... 135
11.2 Menue structure of the Q1............................................................... 145
12 Index ...................................................................................................... 147

gas-lab Q1 Page v
Safety and warning notes
To ensure a safe and faultless operation of the device the instructions and
notes contained in the documentation on hand must be observed.
The device must be used as prescribed and connected according to the
connection diagram. The national and local regulations for electrical
installations must be observed.
The mounting, electrical installation, commissioning and maintenance of
the entire measuring system must be performed by qualified staff who
have been trained in the field of explosion protection and have read and
understood all parts of the operating instructions necessary for the
actions to be carried out.
Please refer to the corresponding technical regulations (DIN, DIN EN, VDE,
VDI, and DVGW) for general information on mounting, commissioning,
taking out of service and maintaining. Below, we have listed the standards
and guidelines that must be observed:
DIN EN 60079-14, Publication date: 1998-08, Electrical apparatus for
explosive gas atmospheres –Part 14: Electrical installations in hazardous
areas (other than mines)
DIN EN 50110-1, Publication date: 1997-10, Operation of electrical
installations
DIN EN 60079-17, Publication date: 1999-08, Electrical apparatus for
explosive gas atmospheres –Part 17: Inspection and maintenance of
electrical installations in hazardous areas (other than mines)
DIN VDE 0100-610, Publication date: 1994-04, Erection of power
installations with nominal voltages up to 1000 V; initial verification

Page vi gas-lab Q1
gas-lab Q1 sensor system (sensor technology):
The sensor system must neither be stored at temperatures below
-20°C nor above +55°C.
Connect the electrical cables only to the EEx-e approved junction box!
This junction box is located on the mounting plate of the gas-lab Q1.
The sensor system is supplied by 24 V DC and must be secured
externally by 2.5 A.
Include the housing and mounting plate in the local earthing system.
A temperature between +5 deg. C and +40 deg. C must be guaranteed
during the operation of the sensor system (-x to +40 deg. C with
additional heater, -x to +55 deg. C with cooling unit; the lower
temperature limit depends on the heat output).
Only gases of the second gas family according to DIN DVGW 460 or
approved calibration gases are permissible. The oxygen content in the
natural gas must not be higher than 2.0 percent by volume.
The ventilation must be connected to the exhaust gas manifold via a
stainless steel tube with a minimum inside diameter of 4 mm.
After a voltage failure the measuring system automatically purges
with process gas before it activates the sensors. After a new gas
cylinder with flammable contents has been connected, the system
must be purged manually before the normal measurement can be
continued. This also applies if air may have got into a gas pipeline
connected to the sensor system (see also Chapter 5.1.4).
The user must ensure by means of high-pressure reduction and safety
devices that all gases injected into the measuring system do not
exceed an inlet pressure of 1,250 mbars absolute!
The opening of the housing as well as inspection and maintenance
must be carried out by specialists authorised by Elster!

gas-lab Q1 Page vii
Only if the atmosphere is not explosive or in de-energised conditions
after a delay of 5 minutes after the electrical supply has been
disconnected, the cover of the housing may be opened!
The cable entries for the electrical connections of the EEx d housing
of the measuring system must never be loosened if the atmosphere is
explosive!
The loosening or unscrewing of the breather is prohibited!
Only authorised personnel is allowed to exchange the breather, if
need be. In this case, the breather as a whole must be exchanged!
Only authorised personnel are allowed to exchange a cable entry
gland, if necessary.
The sensor system may only be switched on before or together with
the gas-net Q1 evaluation computer. It will result in an error (alarm) if
you switch on the sensor system after having switched on the
evaluation computer.

Page viii gas-lab Q1
gas-net Q1 evaluation computer:
The gas-net Q1 evaluation computer must neither be stored at
temperatures below -20°C nor above +55°C.
A temperature between 0 deg. C and +40 deg. C must be guaranteed
during operation.
The gas-net Q1 must be installed outside ex-zone 2.
The gas-net Q1 evaluation computer may contain subassemblies that
are approved as associated electrical apparatus of the ib category
according to DIN EN 50020 with intrinsically safe circuits. This renders
the electronic evaluation computer Q1 suitable for connection to
sensors and pulse generators located in hazardous areas (e.g.
zone 1).
A mixed connection of intrinsically safe and not intrinsically safe
circuits is not permitted in case of these subassemblies.
The evaluation computer is supplied by 24 V DC and must be secured
externally by 1 A.
The earthing is connected to PE of the power supply connector for
equipotential bonding.
Observe the regulations of the relevant standards, in particular of DIN
EN 50014, DIN EN 50020, and DIN EN 50029.
Observe the limit values stated in the respective certificates of
conformity of the boards to be connected.
Warning: The evaluation computer of the Q1 measuring system is a class
A device that may cause interferences in living areas; in this case, the
user may be asked for appropriate measures at his expense.

Introduction 1
gas-lab Q1 Page 1
1 Introduction
1.1 The gas-net system idea
is the generic term for an Elster device family. The evaluation
computer of the gas-lab Q1, too, is based on the gas-net device
family. All gas-net devices, including future device types, are characterised by
uniformity in appearance, operation and parameterisation.
Each Elster device always covers a multitude of measurement and control
functionalities.
gas-net devices also provide this functional variety. To keep the operation and
parameterisation of the devices well structured and user-friendly, the gas-net
series is based on a modular concept. A module corresponds to a special
functionality. Each module has its own main display within the device’s menu
assistance, and each module has its own group of settings within the parameter
data record.
A particular module can be employed in different device types. This yields a
modular system that is advantageous to the user as a particular module can
always be operated and adjusted in the same way, no matter in which device
type it has been installed.
1.2 The measuring principle
The gas-lab Q1 measuring system is a gas quality analyser that performs
infrared absorption and thermal conductivity measurements. The primary target
variables are the gross calorific value, standard density and CO2 content of the
natural gas being measured.
The entire measuring system consists of two components:
1. gas-lab Q1 sensor system
The actual sensor technology is located in an explosion-proof housing,
which can be installed in a hazardous environment.
2. gas-net Q1 evaluation computer
The evaluation computer of the Q1 measuring system is located in a non-
hazardous environment. The main tasks of the evaluation computer are
controlling and monitoring the measuring process, evaluating the sensor
measurements, calculating the target variables and supporting the user
during calibration. Furthermore, the evaluation computer contains an

1 Introduction
Page 2 gas-lab Q1
integrated data logging function, mainly for interval- and event-controlled
data logging of analysis data as well as of error listing and logbook. The
signal and message processing provides some digital and analogue output
possibilities. The evaluation computer also controls the measuring process
and calculates the target variables.
gas-lab Q1 sensor system
Vent gas line
RS422,
4-wire
Hazardous
area
Non-hazardous
area
Gas supply
24 VDC
Sensor unit
Sensor
elektronics
Double-block&bleed
valve set
RS422 / optical fibre
converter
gas-net Q1
evaluation computer
optical fibre
EEX-e
Communi-
cations
PTB

Introduction 1
gas-lab Q1 Page 3
The connection between sensor system and evaluation computer is
implemented via interface cable, RS422/optical fibre-converter and fibre-optics
cable, as illustrated above.
The sensor system contains two infrared sensors for measuring the absorption
of the hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide contained in the natural gas. Another
sensor additionally determines the thermal conductivity of the natural gas and
thus also measures gas components such as nitrogen, for instance, which
cannot absorb infrared light. Afterwards the evaluation computer evaluates all
three measurements. As a result, these measurements supply the gross calorific
value, standard density and CO2content of the natural gas. These variables are
sufficient to establish with a flow computer the compressibility ratio k (real gas
dependence) according to SGERG and the energy content of the natural gas.
Besides, other variables such as the Wobbe and methane numbers are also
determined. Other than that mentioned, the system provides also a non-
calibratable sample analysis of the natural gas. The underlying algorithm is
based on the systematic of the composition of natural gases. In case of non-
typical gases a major deviation in the measured value of a single component
can occur.
The device measures continually and determines new measurements every
second. It can therefore also be used for fast closed-loop control tasks.
The manufacturer calibrates the gas-lab Q1 before delivery, i.e. he performs a
zero point adjustment with nitrogen and afterwards a 3-point calibration with
ultra-pure methane and two calibration gases. The correction values are saved
in the sensor unit. This basic calibration is usually repeated during the
commissioning and on the occasion of a recalibration.
The evaluation computer automatically performs a 1-point calibration with ultra-
pure methane after a mains failure and after each switching on of the measuring
sensor technology.
Moreover, the gas-net Q1 offers a wealth of additional functions for monitoring
tasks and data communications. The gas-net Q1 also always includes a data
logging function that logs important measurements at defined intervals and
when errors occur. See Chapter 5.2 for a detailed description of the archive
structure.

View and design 2
gas-lab Q1 Page 5
2 Device view and design
2.1 Sensor system
The actual sensor technology of the gas-lab Q1, the sensor system, is mounted
in an explosion-proof housing. The gas is supplied at approximately 80 mbars
overpressure and via a double block & bleed solenoid valve set, which is also
located inside the housing. There are a total of three gas inlets for different
gases, one connection for the process gas and two connections for calibration
gases. The out flowing gas is led via a vent gas line.
The housing is mounted on a mounting plate in such a way that the gas and
other process connections point downwards. In order to ensure that the housing
withstands the maximum permissible inside pressure of 1,100 mbars, a breather
is led out of the housing at the top. The following illustration shows the front of
the sensor housing:
breather
EEx-d junction
(voltage supply,
data connection)
3: Calibration gas connection (i.e. N2, H2-11K, L1-8K)
2: Calibration gas connection (methane)
1: Process gas connection
Vent gas line

2 View and design
Page 6 gas-lab Q1
The parameterisation of the evaluation computer defines which gas has to be
connected to which inlet. The process gas is assigned to path 1 and the internal
calibration gas (ultra-pure methane) to path 2. Nitrogen and further calibration
gases are injected via path 3 for performing the basic calibration. The test gas
can either be injected via path 1 or 3.
gas-lab Q1
exhaust gas
connection of
safety relief valve
power supply
connection
exhaust gas
connection of
gas-lab Q1
pressure controller
with integrated
safety relief and
safety shut-off valve
data line
connection
pressure gauge of
inlet pressure for gas-lab Q1
calibration gas 1
connection
process gas
connection
calibration gas 2
connection
release button of
safety shut-off valve
ex-junction box
Not only the sensor housing is installed on the mounting plate, but also
regulators for the inlet pressure of the different gases to be injected, safety shut-
off and safety relief valves as well as the EEx-e junction box for the
interconnecting cables (voltage supply, data link to the evaluation computer).

View and design 2
gas-lab Q1 Page 7
The pressure regulators with integrated safety shut-off/pressure relief valves for
the process and calibration gases are necessary, as the maximum absolute inlet
pressure of the gases must never exceed 1,250 mbars. The pressure regulators
have been set by the manufacturer to a control pressure of 80 mbars (gauge).
The integrated pressure relief valve starts to vent at an overpressure of about
110 mbars and above. The safety shut-off valve has been set to a tripping
pressure of 142 mbars (gauge) by the manufacturer.
2.2 Evaluation computer
The housing of the gas-net Q1 evaluation computer is designed as plug-in unit
for a 19”-frame and is available in two housing sizes, i.e. with a mounting width
of 1/3 for up to three process boards or a mounting width of 1/2 for up to six
process boards.
The device front includes one 8x32 characters-LCD, one keypad with 16 keys,
one status LED and the calibration switch. The DSS data interface is also
located on the device front. It serves the connection of a PC or laptop for
servicing purposes.
The following illustration shows, as an example, the front view of a gas-net Q1 in
the narrow design with a mounting width of 1/3:
0987
,
6
5
4
_
3
2
1
Q1
gas-lab
Status
Cal.-
switch
close open
DSS
Gas Quality Meter
Data
interface
Key pad
Calibration
switch
Status LED
Display

2 View and design
Page 8 gas-lab Q1
Most of the connection possibilities are located on the back of the device. The
following interfaces are always available:
fibre-optics connection for the sensor system
DSfG bus connection
COM2 interface: serial interface according to RS232. In case of devices
with an integrated RDT, the modem is connected to COM2. A different
software variant offers gateway functionality for interfacing a host protocol
instead. In this case, the COM2 interface can be used as protocol channel.
DCF77 interface for connecting a radio clock
24 V DC power supply connection
HSB bus connection (not used)
All process connections are implemented via process boards installed in the
housing. The exact composition of the I/O boards depends on the tasks of each
individual device (number of required output signals, etc.).
The name of the software variant, the version’s number and the checksum for
the identification of the software version can be invoked directly at the device via
the main display of the System module.
The main functionality of the Q1 is measuring the gas quality. The sensor
system is connected via an LMFA1-type process board, which provides 3 digital
and 4 analogue outputs in addition to the fibre-optics connection for the sensor
system.
Furthermore, the following boards can be used:
A multi-functional EXMFE4 input board for the connection of a pressure and
a temperature sensor (PT100) and two digital inputs (NAMUR). All channels
are intrinsically safe (EX-i).
An MSER2 board with 2 serial channels (RS232, RS422 or RS485) for
interfacing communication protocols (e.g. MODBUS).
An MFE11 input board with 8 digital and 3 analogue inputs.
An MFA6 output board with 4 digital and 2 analogue outputs.

View and design 2
gas-lab Q1 Page 9
All in all, up to 6 process boards can be mounted in the broader housing and up
to 3 boards in the narrow design. Please see Section Fehler! Verweisquelle
konnte nicht gefunden werden. or the Technical Data Section in Chapter 10
for a description of the currently available boards.
The following illustration shows, as an example, a device in the narrow design
with the always existing LMFA7 board.
gas-net Q1 rear view (example)
0,63 ATT
LE
LA
D1
D2
D3
I1+
I3+
I-
SH
DC
LMFA7 SH
GD
DT
VN
VP
PE
DCF7724V
HS-Bus
2
M
O
C
G
f
S
D
CD
RI
TX
RX
SD
DD
SH
DH
internal
Board 3Board 2Board 1
Output board LMFA7 (digital/analog)
LA/LE:
D1-D3:Three digital outputs for digital signals / pulses.
I1-I3: Three analog outputs for measurement output.
optical fibre connection for external I/O expansion
(sensor system connection)
Any input or output board can
be assigned to board locations 1 or 2.
gas-net

Operation 3
gas-lab Q1 Page 11
3 Operating gas-net devices
This chapter’s objective is to give you an understanding of the basic operating
and menu structures of gas-net devices.
As already mentioned, all devices of the gas-net family have a uniform
appearance and a comparable menu structure.
This means for the user: If you have operated a gas-net device once, you will
also be able to operate all other device types without any problems.
According to our philosophy of how to parameterise gas-net devices, they are
adjusted by means of a PC or laptop and not via the operator panel. The device
operation via the operator panel mainly serves the indication of the most
important information on the display. The content of the operator interface on
the display depends on the individual gas-net device type.
3.1 The keypad
The keypad of gas-net devices consists of a numeric keypad for the entry of
numbers, minus sign and decimal point keys and a group of four navigation
keys. With these keys, you may move within the menu structure and invoke
menus and displays. In some cases you may also trigger actions or change
values via the navigation keys.
The illustration below shows an overview of the keys’ meanings. The exact
context-related meaning of each navigation key will be explained in connection
with the menu structure in Section 3.4.

3 Operation
Page 12 gas-lab Q1
1 2 3
4 5 6 ,
7 8 9 0
Menu key:
Opens/closes a menu.
When starting from a display this means:
Pressing once opensthe current display's submenu listing.
Pressing twice opensthe menu listing for branching to other modules.
Pressing three timesclosesthe menu.
Arrow key left:
Previous entry.
Input mode: delete previous character
Enter.
Menu selection.
Enter input mode.
Within input mode:
Accept new value.
Numeric key pad
incl. minus sign
and decimal point
Arrow key right:
Next entry.
Input mode:
Quit input mode without
changing values.
3.2 Other operating elements: status LED, calibration
switch
The status LED on the front of the device is a three-colour light emitting diode.
The status of this LED indicates whether an error of the gas quality
measurement is pending or has been pending.
Please refer to the table below for the meaning of the individual colours:
LED status
Meaning
red, blinking
An alarm is pending, i.e. an error has occurred that
influences the gas quality measurement.
yellow, blinking
A warning is pending. That is, an event has occurred
without affecting the gas quality measurement.
green, blinking
A green blinking light appears in the start-up phase after
a mains failure.
red, steady light
An alarm has been pending but is no longer relevant.
It can be removed from the error listing by accepting it.
yellow, steady light
A warning has been pending but is no longer relevant.
It can be removed from the error listing by accepting it.
green, steady light
The device runs error-free.