Hanna Instruments HI 96831 User manual

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Instruction Manual
HI 96831
Ethylene Glycol Refractometer
99 Washington Street
Melrose, MA 02176
Phone [phone]
Toll Free 1-800-517-8431
Visit us at www.TestEquipmentDepot.com

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All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the written consent of the
copyright owner, Hanna Instruments Inc., Woonsocket, Rhode Island, 02895, USA.
Remove the instrument from the packing materials and examine carefully to ensure no
damage has occurred during shipping. If any damage has occurred, notify your Dealer.
Each instrument is supplied with:
• 9 V battery
• Instruction manual
Note:Save all packing material until you are sure that the instrument functions
correctly. A defective instrument must be returned in its original packing.
Dear Customer,
Thank you for choosing a Hanna product. This manual will provide you with the necessary
information for the correct use of this instrument. Please read it carefully before using the meter.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION ............................................................................................. 2
GENERAL DESCRIPTION ..................................................................................................... 3
SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................. 3
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION ................................................................................................ 4
MEASUREMENT UNITS ........................................................................................................ 5
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION................................................................................................ 5
DISPLAY ELEMENTS............................................................................................................ 6
MEASUREMENT GUIDELINES .............................................................................................. 7
CALIBRATION PROCEDURE ................................................................................................ 7
MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE ............................................................................................. 8
TO CHANGE MEASUREMENT UNIT ..................................................................................... 9
TO CHANGE TEMPERATURE UNIT ...................................................................................... 9
MAKING A STANDARD SOLUTION....................................................................................10
BATTERY REPLACEMENT .................................................................................................10
WARRANTY ........................................................................................................................10
ERROR MESSAGES ............................................................................................................11

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
SPECIFICATIONS
Temperature Compensation: Automatic between 0 and 40 °C (32 - 104 °F)
Measurement Time: Approximately 1.5 seconds
Minimum Sample Volume: 100 μL (cover prism totally)
Light Source: Yellow LED
Sample Cell: Stainless Steel ring and flint glass prism
Case Material: ABS
Enclosure Rating: IP 65
Battery Type / Life: 1 X 9V / 5000 readings
Auto-Off: After 3 minutes of non-use
Dimensions: 19.2(W) x 10.2(D) x 6.7(H) cm
Mass: 420 g
The HI 96831 Digital Refractometer is a rugged portable, water resistant device that utilizes the
measurement of refractive index to determine the % volume and freezing point of ethylene glycol
based coolants or antifreeze.
The HI 96831 device benefits from Hanna’s years of experience as a manufacturer of analytical
instruments. The digital refractometer eliminates the uncertainty associated with mechanical
refractometers and is easily portable for use in the field to optimize your cooling system.
The HI 96831 refractometer is an optical device that is simple and quick to use. Samples are
measured after a simple user calibration with distilled or deionized water. Within seconds, the
refractive index and temperature are measured and converted into one of two measurement units;
% Volume or Freezing Point. The instrument utilizes internationally recognized references for unit
conversion and temperature compensation for ethylene glycol solutions (e.g. CRC Handbook of
Chemistry and Physics, 87th Edition).
The temperature (in °C or °F) is also displayed on the large dual level display along with helpful
message codes.
Key features include:
• IP65 waterproof protection
• Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC)
• Battery operation with Low Power indicator (BEPS)
• Automatically turns off after 3 minutes of non-use
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Ethylene Glycol determinations are made by measuring the refractive index of a solution. Refractive
Index is an optical characteristic of a substance and the number of dissolved particles in it.
Refractive Index is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in empty space to the speed of light in
the substance. A result of this property is that light will “bend”, or change direction, when it travels
through a substance of different refractive index. This is called refraction.
When passing from a material with a higher to lower refractive index, there is a critical angle at
which an incoming beam of light can no longer refract, but will instead be reflected off the interface.
The critical angle can be used to easily calculate the refractive index according to the equation:
sin (θcritical) = n2/ n1
Where n2is the refractive index of the lower-density medium; n1is the refractive index of the
higher-density medium.
In the HI 96831 refractometer, light from an LED passes through a prism in contact with the sample.
An image sensor determines the critical angle at which the light is no longer refracted through the
sample. Specialized algorithms then apply temperature compensation to the measurement and
convert the refractive index to: % Volume or Freezing Point.
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

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MEASUREMENT UNITS
Freezing point is displayed as a temperature from 0.0 to -50.0 °C corresponding to 0-58 % by
volume. The display blinks the freezing point when the concentration of Ethylene glycol is greater
than 78 % concentration by volume.
When the display shows “LO”, the freezing point is at a minimum (below -50 °C).
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTIONFUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTIONFUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
1. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
2. READ Key (User Measurement)
3. ZERO Key (User Calibration)
4. RANGE Key (User Measurement Unit)
5. ON/OFF
6. Stainless Steel Sample Well and Prism
7. Secondary Display
8. Primary Display
TOP VIEW

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DISPLAY ELEMENTSDISPLAY ELEMENTS
DISPLAY ELEMENTSDISPLAY ELEMENTS
DISPLAY ELEMENTS
1. Battery (blinks when low battery condition detected)
2. Measurement in Progress Tag
3. SETUP: Factory Calibration Tag
4. CAL: Calibration Tag
5. Automatic Temperature Compensation
(blinks when temperature exceeds 0-40°C / 32-104°F range)
6. Primary Display (displays measurement and error messages)
7. Temperature Units
8. Secondary Display (displays temperature measurements; when blinking,
temperature has exceeded operation range: 0-80°C / 32-176°F)
9. Range indicator
9. Battery Cover
10.Battery Compartment
BOTTOM

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• Handle instrument carefully. Do not drop.
• Do not immerse instrument under water.
• Do not spray water to any part of instrument except the “sample well” located over the prism.
• The instrument is intended to measure ethylene glycol solutions. Do not expose instrument or
prism to solvents that will damage it. This includes most organic solvents and extremely hot
or cold solutions.
• Particulate matter in a sample may scratch the prism. Absorb sample with a soft tissue and
rinse sample well with deionized or distilled water between samples.
• Use plastic pipettes to transfer all solutions. Do not use metallic tools such as needles, spoons
or tweezers as these will scratch the prism.
• Cover sample well with hand if measuring in direct sun.
MEASUREMENT GUIDELINESMEASUREMENT GUIDELINES
MEASUREMENT GUIDELINESMEASUREMENT GUIDELINES
MEASUREMENT GUIDELINES
CALIBRATION PROCEDURECALIBRATION PROCEDURE
CALIBRATION PROCEDURECALIBRATION PROCEDURE
CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
Calibration should be performed daily, before measurements are made, when the battery has
been replaced, between a long series of measurements, or if environmental changes have
occurred since the last calibration.
1. Press the ON/OFF key, then release. Two instrument test screens will be displayed briefly;
all LCD segments followed by the percentage of remaining battery life. The meter will then
briefly display an indication of the measurement unit set. When the LCD displays dashes, the
instrument is ready.
2. Using a plastic pipette, fill the sample well with distilled or deionized water. Make sure the
prism is completely covered.
Note: If the ZERO sample is subject to intense light such as sunlight or another strong source,
cover the sample well with your hand or other shade during the calibration.

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MEASUREMENT PROCEDUREMEASUREMENT PROCEDURE
MEASUREMENT PROCEDUREMEASUREMENT PROCEDURE
MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE
Verify the instrument has been calibrated before taking measurements.
1. Wipe off prism surface located at the bottom of the sample well. Make sure the prism and
sample well are completely dry.
2. Using a plastic pipette, drip sample onto the prism surface. Fill the well completely.
Note: If the temperature of the sample differs significantly from the temperature of the
instrument, wait approximately 1 minute to allow thermal equilibration.
3. Press the READ key. The
results are displayed as %
Volume or Freezing Point.
Note: The last measurement value will be displayed until the next sample is measured or the
instrument is turned off. Temperature will be continuously updated.
Note: The ”ATC”tag blinks and automatic temperature compensation is disabled if the
temperature exceeds the 0-40 °C / 32-104 °F range.
3. Press the ZERO key. If no error messages appear, your unit is calibrated.
(For a description of ERROR MESSAGES see page 11).
Note: The 0.0 screen will remain until a sample is measured or the instrument is turned off.
4. Gently absorb the ZERO water standard with a soft tissue. Use care not
to scratch the prism surface. Dry the surface completely. The instrument
is ready for sample measurement.
Note: If the instrument is turned off the calibration will not be lost.

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4. Remove sample from the sample well by absorbing
with a soft tissue.
5. Using a plastic pipette, rinse prism and sample
well with distilled or deionized water. Wipe dry.
The instrument is ready for the next sample.
TO CHANGE MEASUREMENT UNITTO CHANGE MEASUREMENT UNIT
TO CHANGE MEASUREMENT UNITTO CHANGE MEASUREMENT UNIT
TO CHANGE MEASUREMENT UNIT
Press the RANGE key to select the measurement units. The instrument toggles between the
two measurement scales each time the key is pressed and the primary display indicates “Vol”
% Volume or “FrPt” for Freezing Point. When the instrument displays the screen with 4 dashes,
the instrument is ready for measurement. A number on the display indicates the selected unit: “1”
denotes % Volume and “2” denotes Freezing Point (as indicated on the instrument cover).
Note: The temperature measurement is not displayed in Freezing Point mode.
8 seconds
TO CHANGE TEMPERATURE UNITTO CHANGE TEMPERATURE UNIT
TO CHANGE TEMPERATURE UNITTO CHANGE TEMPERATURE UNIT
TO CHANGE TEMPERATURE UNIT
To change the temperature measurement unit from Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa), follow this
procedure.
1. Press and hold the ON/OFF key continuously for approximately 8 seconds. The LCD will
display the “all segment” screen followed by a screen with the model number on the primary
display and the version number on the secondary display. Continue pressing the ON/OFF
key.
2. While continuing to hold the ON/OFF key, press the ZERO key. The temperature unit will
change from °C to °F or vice versa.
Note: The selected unit will be used in Freezing Point mode.

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To make a Ethylene Glycol Solution, follow the procedure below:
•To make an X % ethylene glycol solution volumetrically add X mL of high purity ethylene
glycol (CAS #: 107-21-1; MW 62.068) to a 100 mL Grade A volumetric flask.
•Use distilled or deionized water to bring the flask close to the total volume, mix, allow the
solution to return to room temperature.
•Once the solution has returned to room temperature use distilled or deionized water to bring
the total volume to 100 mL. Mix solution well before use.
WARRANTYWARRANTY
WARRANTYWARRANTY
WARRANTY
The HI 96831 is warranted for two years against defects in workmanship and materials when
used for its intended purpose and maintained according to the instructions.
This warranty is limited to repair or replacement free of charge.
Damage due to accidents, misuse, tampering or lack of prescribed maintenance is not covered.
If service is required, contact your dealer. If under warranty, report the model number, date of
purchase, serial number and the nature of the failure. If the repair is not covered by the warranty,
you will be notified of the charges incurred.
If the instrument is to be returned to Hanna Instruments, first obtain a Returned Goods Authorization
Number from the Customer Service Department and then send it with shipment costs prepaid. When
shipping any instrument, make sure it is properly packaged for complete protection.
To validate your warranty, fill out and return the enclosed warranty card within 14 days from the
date of purchase.
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MAKING A STANDARD SOLUTIONMAKING A STANDARD SOLUTION
MAKING A STANDARD SOLUTIONMAKING A STANDARD SOLUTION
MAKING A STANDARD SOLUTION
To replace the instrument’s battery, follow these steps:
• Make sure the instrument is off.
• Turn instrument upside down and remove the battery cover by turning it counterclockwise.
• Extract the battery from its location.
• Replace with a new 9V battery making sure to observe polarity.
• Insert the back battery cover and fasten it by turning clockwise to engage.
BATTERY REPLACEMENTBATTERY REPLACEMENT
BATTERY REPLACEMENTBATTERY REPLACEMENT
BATTERY REPLACEMENT