Greyline Instruments PTFM 1.0 User manual

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USER'S GUIDE
Installation & Operation
Instructions
Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
Model PTFM 1.0
Manual Series A.1.6

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
INDEX
BATTERY.................................................................................................................4
CONNECTIONS.......................................................................................................4
QUICK BENCH TEST..............................................................................................5
SENSOR INSTALLATION......................................................................................6
KEYPAD SYSTEM ..................................................................................................7
CALIBRATION MENU ...........................................................................................8
ICONS .......................................................................................................................9
MESSAGE.................................................................................................................10
STATUS ....................................................................................................................10
PASSWORD..............................................................................................................11
UNITS/MODE...........................................................................................................12
SET UP......................................................................................................................13
CALIBRATION ........................................................................................................15
DATA LOGGING.....................................................................................................16
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS............................................................................................17
SENSOR MOUNTING .............................................................................................19
FIELD TROUBLESHOOTING................................................................................24
COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS............................................................26
APPLICATIONS HOTLINE.....................................................................................28
PRODUCT RETURN PROCEDURE.......................................................................28
FLOW METER DATA SHEET................................................................................29
APPENDIX A - CONVERSION TABLE.................................................................33
PIPE CHARTS ..........................................................................................................34
APPENDIX B – Liquid Speed of Sound...................................................................38
IMPORTANT NOTE: This instrument is manufactured and calibrated to meet product specifications.
Please read this manual carefully before installation and operation. Any unauthorized repairs or
modifications may result in a suspension of the warranty.
If this product is not used as specified by the manufacturer, protection may be impaired.
Available in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
BATTERY
- A built-in rechargable NiMH battery supplies power for 18 hours continuous operation when fully
charged.
- Display brightness is adjustable to conserve power.
- State of charge is shown for normal use, sleep mode and charging.
- When switched OFF with the AC power module connected the flashing battery indicates charging,
solid battery shows fully charged.
- The PTFM 1.0 will switch off automatically when the battery is fully discharged.
- Full charge requires approximately 6 hours charging.
- Sleep mode extends battery life for long term data logging. Maximum log time is 18 days at 5 minute
sample rate.
CONNECTIONS
SENSORS
Use type SE16B supplied with 12 ft (4 m) coaxial cables and BNC connectors. Set of optional PTC50
50 ft (15 m) extension sensor cables available.
4-20mA
Active only when powered by AC charger, maximum load 500 ohm.
USB
Cable Part #USB-PD is supplied for connecting the PTFM 1.0 to a PC or laptop.
POWER
An AC powered 15 volt DC power module is supplied for battery charging and continuous use.

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
QUICK BENCH TEST
In the PTFM Setup menu set parameters to perform a bench test:
- Set Fluid =Water
- Set Temperature =20°C
- Set Pipe OD =0.15 inch
- Set Pipe Wall =0.06 inch
- Set Pipe material = ABS
- Set Lining =None
- Set Crossings =4
- Press to view Signal Strength at bottom of menu.
- Press twice to exit Setup and return to main display.
From main display press to view Status menu. Apply coupling compound to the face of sensors and
press together as indicated in the illustration below.
The Status menu should indicate a high Signal Strength (75-100%).
COUPLING
COMPOUND
~0.8”
20 mm

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
SENSOR INSTALLATION

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
KEYPAD SYSTEM
The following diagram shows the PTFM 1.0 menu system. Arrows show the four directions to leave a
menu box. Pressing a corresponding keypad arrow will move to the next item in the direction shown.
Move the cursor (highlighted) under numerals and increase or decrease numerals with the and 
keys.
To store calibration values permanently, press the .

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
CALIBRATION MENU

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
ICONS
1. 2. Message waiting. Press .
Battery 0%. Battery 100%.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Battery charging.
Charger connected.
Data logging off.
1.2. Data logging on.
1. 2. 3. 4.USB file download.
File download completed.
Download Error.
1. 2. 3. PTFM Echo OK.
PTFM – No Echo, Empty Pipe.
PTFM – No Sensors Attached / Wrong Settings.

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
MAIN DISPLAY
The main display shows the units selected from the Units/Mode menu, Flow or
Velocity rate being measured and TOTALIZER. The PTFM 1.0 will start-up with
this display.
MESSAGE
Press from the MAIN display to view error/warning messages provided by the
instrument. The Message icon will appear on the MAIN display if error messages
are being generated by the instrument. Press to return to the main display.
STATUS
Press from the MAIN display to view instrument status.
Velocity Displayed in ft/sec or m/sec.
Signal Strength Displays percentage of signal being received by the ultrasonic
sensor.

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
24 HR LOG
Press from the MAIN display to view a formatted flow report from instruments
with a built-in data logger. Press to scroll down one day or repeatedly to scroll
to a specific date. Up to 365 days can be stored. Newest date will overwrite the
oldest. Press to return to the main display.
PASSWORD
The password (a number from 0000 to 9999) prevents unauthorized access to the
Calibration menu.
From the Main display press the key to get to Password. Factory default
password is 0000 and if it has not been changed press the to proceed to the
Menu Selections screen.
If a password is required, press to place the cursor under the first digit and or
to set the number, then to the second digit, etc. Press or to proceed to
the Menu Selections screen.
A new password can be stored by going to Special Functions/New Password.

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
UNITS/MODE
From Mode press the and then the or to select Flow or Velocity.
Flow mode displays the flow rate in engineering units (e.g. gpm, litres/sec, etc.)
Press the to store your selection then the to the next menu item and to
enter.
From Linear press the key and then the or to select your units of
measurement. Press the to store your selection.
Press the key to move the symbol to each subsequent menu item and the to
save your selections.
Note: the volume selection "bbl" denotes U.S. oil barrel.
From Temperature press and then or to select Cor F(Centigrade or
Fahrenheit).
Press or to return to the Menu Selections screen.

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
SET UP
Set Up Go directly to Set up.
Sensor Select Choose SE16B.
Fluid Vel When Fluid = Other – Enter the fluid velocity at 25C
from table or other reference in units of m/s
V/C(@25C) When Fluid = Other – Enter fluid velocity adjustment
factor over change in temperature in units of m/s per °C.
Fluid Select fluid type.
Other will require additional information:
Fluid Temp Enter average fluid temperature.
Pipe OD Place the cursor under the digits and then

or

to
change the numbers and decimal point. Pipe OD should
be entered as the exact outside diameter of the pipe where
the sensor is mounted. Refer to the Pipe Charts Appendix
in this manual for outside diameter of common pipe types
and sizes.
Pipe Wall Enter wall thickness.
Refer to the Pipe Charts Appendix in this manual for
thickness of common pipe materials and sizes.
Pipe Vel When pipe = Other – Enter pipe material speed of sound
(consult factory).
Pipe Select pipe material.
Lining Select Lining material.
None represents no liner.
Other will require additional information.
Lining Thick When Lining -Other is selected, enter lining
thickness.
Lining Vel When Lining -Other is selected, enter speed of sound
of lining material.

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
Crossings 1 = Z mounting
2 = V mounting
4 = W mounting
Zero Tare To suppress readings or fluctuations at zero flow. Set
Calibration/Damping to 5% and under no flow conditions
and full pipe select Yes to force readings to zero.
Sens Space Displays the calculated sensor spacing.
Velocity Displays the measured velocity.
Signal Strength Displays magnitude of signal being received by the
ultrasonic sensor.
Press from the Units/Mode display to return to Menu Selections.
NOTE: Sensor separation distance is automatically calculated by
the instrument and will be displayed in the Setup menu.

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
CALIBRATION
Press the to Calibration and to enter. Use or to position before
each menu item and to enter. When settings are completed press to store and
return to the Calibration menu.
*20mA at Press then or to change the numbers and decimal point.
Use this menu to set the corresponding flow rate that will be
represented by 20mA analog output. If maximum flow is
unknown, enter an estimated flow rate and observe actual flow to
determine the correct maximum value. Any velocity or flow rate
up to +40 ft/sec (12.2 m/sec) may be selected.
*4mA at Press or to set the flow rate corresponding to 4mA analog
output. This setting may be left at zero flow (or velocity or can
be raised to any value less than the 20mA setting, or lowered to
any velocity or corresponding flow rate down to -40 ft/sec (-12.2
m/sec).
Min Flow Flow rates below this setting will be displayed as zero flow.
Damping Increase damping to stabilize readings under turbulent flow
conditions. Decrease for fast response to small changes in flow.
Damping is shown in percentage (maximum is 99%). Factory
default is 5%.
Press from the Units/Mode display to return to Menu Selections.
*Note 4-20mA circuitry is only powered by the AC power module.
To conserve power this output is not active in battery power mode.

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
DATA LOGGING
Setup
Select Data Logging from Menu Selections.
Log Site ID Enter a number from 00 to 99. The site ID will become part of
the downloaded file name to help distinguish downloads from
different instruments. Press to store the setting.
Mode Select Velocity (e.g. ft/sec or m/sec). Flow (e.g. USGPM or
l/sec). Press to store the setting.
Set Date Press or to scroll and select Month, Day and Year. Press
to store the setting.
Set Time Press or to select the current time in Hours, Minutes and
Seconds. Press to store the setting.
Interval Press or to select the logging interval.
Press to store the setting.
Log Select Start then to start logger. Select Stop then to stop
logger. Select Delete then to clear all previous logging
sessions.
RETRIEVE LOG FILE
Install Greyline Logger on your PC or laptop. Refer to the Help menu in the
program for detailed instructions.
- Connect the PTFM 1.0 to the PC using the supplied USB cable.
- Install the USB driver program from the install CD.
- Start the Greyline Logger Software.
- Select "xxxx scan for USB instruments xxxx" in the drop down window at the
top of the main window. PTFM 1.0 will be indicated.
- Click the download icon to start transferring data.
- Downloaded data appears in a pop-up window.

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
Language Select English,French or Spanish
Reset Totalizer Press and select Yes to erase and restart the
totalizer at zero.
Negative Totals Select Yes to have reverse flow readings deducted
from the totalizer. Select NO to totalize forward
flow only and ignore reverse flow.
Cal Constant Factory set during calibration. (Refer to the calibration
certificate supplied with your instrument.)
Restore Defaults Select Yes and press to erase all user settings and return
the instrument to factory default settings.
New Password Select any number from 0000 to 9999 and press .
Default setting of 0000 will allow direct access to the
calibration menus. Setting of any password greater
than 0000 will require the password to be entered to
access the calibration menus.
Press to return to Menu Selections.

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
SIMULATION
Exercises the 4-20mA.
Test Select Maximum and press to simulate maximum Flow or Velocity and
to output 20mA to the analog channel.
Select Minimum and press to simulate minimum Flow or Velocity and
to output 4mA to the analog channel.
To simulate measurements between minimum and maximum set Test to
Actual and then enter for the flow measurement. The analog output will
respond to the simulated value.
SLEEP MODE
Logging in sleep mode requires a minimum sample time of 30 seconds. Selecting
sleep mode for 10 second sampling rate results in instrument always being
‘awake’.
BACKLIGHT
Three levels of backlight are selectable to conserve power.
CHARGING
A flashing battery indicates charging.
A solid battery indicates fully charged.

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
SENSOR MOUNTING LOCATION
The position of the sensor is one of the most important considerations for accurate Transit Time flow
measurement. The same location guidelines apply to Transit Time as most other types of flow meters.
Before permanently mounting a Transit Time sensor onsite testing is recommended to determine
optimum mounting position. Use the sensor coupling compound (supplied with each Greyline flow
meter, or petroleum gel, acoustic compound or electrocardiograph gel). Take several readings around the
axis of the pipe and then at several points upstream and downstream from the selected position,
checking for consistent readings. Avoid high or low reading areas. Mount the sensors where consistent
(average) readings were obtained or continue testing on another pipe section.
VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL PIPE - Vertical pipe
runs generally provide evenly distributed flow. On
Horizontal pipes and liquids with high concentrations
of gas or solids, the sensors should be mounted on the
side (1 to 5 o’clock positions) to avoid concentrations
of gas at the top of the pipe, or solids at the bottom.
VELOCITY INCREASING DEVICES: Generally the sensors must be mounted away from flow
disturbances such as valves, pumps, orifice plates, venturis or pipe inlets and discharges which tend to
increase flow velocity. Velocity increasing devices often cause cavitation, or rapid release of gas
bubbles, and readings both up and downstream may be intermittent or inaccurate. As a guideline, mount
the sensor at least 20 diameters upstream or 30 diameters downstream from velocity increasing devices.
Required distance from a velocity increasing device will vary in applications depending on the flow
velocity and the characteristics of the liquid itself.
TURBULENCE INCREASING DEVICES: Elbows,
flanged connections and tees tend to introduce
desirable conditions of an evenly distributed flow
profile. Sensor mounting 6 pipe diameters upstream
and 10 diameters downstream from these disturbances
is generally optimum.
The sensors are designed to mount longitudinally on a straight section of pipe. Do not attempt to mount
it on bends, elbows or fittings.
VERTICAL PIPE USUALLY
HAS EVENLY DISTRIBUTED FLOW
1 TO 5 O'CLOCK POSITION
ON HORIZONTAL PIPES

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PTFM 1.0 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter
SENSOR MOUNTING
Prepare an area 2" wide by 4" long (50mm x 100mm) for sensor bonding by removing loose paint, scale
and rust. The objective of site preparation is to eliminate any discontinuity between the sensor and the
pipe wall, which would prevent acoustical coupling.
A TMK1 Sensor Mounting Kit is supplied with each Greyline flow meter. It includes recommended
coupling compound in a plastic applicator and a stainless steel mounting bracket with adjustable pipe
straps. Use the Alignment Bar (included) to align sensor brackets for V and W mode mounting.