Restek ProFLOW 6000 User manual

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Restek’s
ProFLOW 6000
Electronic Flowmeter
User Manual
Version 5.6
for cat.# 22656

No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior agreement or permission by Restek Corporation.
The ProFLOW 6000
volumetric flowmeter.
Table of Contents Page
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 3
2.0 Specifications........................................................................................................... 3
3.0 Installing the batteries........................................................................................... 4
4.0 Battery power consumption ................................................................................. 4
4.1 Battery lifetime ................................................................................................ 4
4.2 Battery charge indicator ................................................................................ 4
5.0 Operating instructions ........................................................................................... 5
6.0 Interpreting results................................................................................................. 6
6.1 Flow range display.......................................................................................... 6
7.0 Data collection on the PC...................................................................................... 7
8.0 ProFLOW 6000 menu structure............................................................................. 9
8.1 Unit power up/power down.......................................................................... 9
8.2 USB activation................................................................................................ 10
8.3 Adjust LCD image backlight........................................................................ 10
8.4 Show battery charge indicator ................................................................... 11
8.5 Firmware version information .................................................................... 11
8.6 Adjust auto shutoff duration ...................................................................... 12
8.7 Display calibration date ............................................................................... 12
8.8 Display unit serial number .......................................................................... 13
9.0 Troubleshooting.................................................................................................... 13
10.0 Product back label legend................................................................................... 14
11.0 Volumetric vs. mass flow measurements.......................................................... 15
12.0 Bubble flowmeters................................................................................................ 15
13.0 Product case specifications................................................................................. 16
14.0 Calibration and service ........................................................................................ 16
Declaration of Conformity................................................................................... 33

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1.0 Introduction
Restek’s ProFLOW 6000 Flowmeter is specifically designed for use with gas chromatography (GC) systems. The probe is applied directly to the
gas flow stream and the measured flow rate is presented on the LCD screen. Units of flow are measured in mL/min.
This unit provides continuous real-time measurements of gas streams ranging from 0.50 mL/min to 500 mL/min. Because the technology uses
volumetric flow measurement, the unit is compatible with all laboratory gases.
CAUTION: Do NOT exceed maximum operating flow rates.
Recalibration may be required if the unit has been
subjected to extreme flow rates.
Always use appropriate laboratory safety practices when
operating this device. Wear laboratory safety goggles when
operating this unit.
NOTE: There are no serviceable parts in this unit. Opening the
device—other than to change the batteries—or tampering with the
internal parts will void the factory warranty.
NOTE: To ensure accurate measurements and effective clearance of
the flow gas from the unit, DO NOT obstruct the vent holes on the
back of the unit.
NOTE: Modifying the length of tubing can cause a shift in calibration.
2.0 Specifications
Table I:
Type of measurement Volumetric flow
Accuracy of measurements ± 2% of flow reading or ± 0.2 mL/min, whichever is greater
Power requirements 2 AA alkaline batteries 1.5 V DC each/3 V DC 200 ma
Operating flow range 0.50 to 500 mL/min
Operating temperature range 32 °-120 °F (0 °- 48 °C)
Available communication USB data port
Warranty One year
Calibration NIST traceable
Yearly recalibration is recommended
Certifications CE, Ex (see section 10.0)
Compliance WEEE, RoHS 2, China RoHS 2 (see section 10.0)
Figure 1: Product diagrams
BACK
FRONT

3.0 Installing the batteries
This unit uses two AA alkaline batteries.
To install batteries, extend the wire stand. Open the
cover. Insert the batteries with the polarity ( and )
correctly aligned. Close the cover. (Figures 2 and 3.)
Precautions for battery replacement:
• Load the new batteries with their polarity ( and ) aligned correctly.
• Do not use rechargeable batteries.
4.0 Battery power consumption
4.1 Battery lifetime
The battery lifetime is dependent on the number of options the user
has enabled.
The unit is shipped with the most energy-demanding options disabled
(Table II).
The power saving functions can be changed.
è See Section 8.2: USB Activation
è See Section 8.3: Adjust LCD Image Backlight
è See Section 8.6: Adjust Auto Shutoff Duration
4.2 Battery charge indicator
The unit includes a battery charge indicator. Replace batteries as
needed.
è See Section 8.4: Show Battery Charge Indicator
Auto shutoff duration 6 minutes
LCD backlight 0 (off)
USB port disabled
NOTE: Store your ProFLOW 6000 in its protective storage case
following use. Do not store this manual or any other items on top
of the ProFLOW 6000 or the unit may turn on when the storage case
lid is closed.
Table II: Default settings for the ProFLOW 6000
Figure 2: Extend the wire stand
before opening battery door.
Figure 3
Insert the batteries
as marked.
+
–+
–
+–
+–
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5.0 Operating instructions
CAUTION: Do not exceed maximum operating flow rates.
Recalibration may be required if the unit has been sub-
jected to extreme flow rates.
Connect the white probe end tip to the output of the gas flow line to
be measured. Be sure the probe tip connection is completely sealed
around the flow source outlet and is free of leaks (Figure 4). (White
tubing ID 0.125"; OD 0.250")
Press and hold the (Power) button until the unit responds
with a regular clicking sound. The ProFLOW will immediately begin
to provide flow measurements (Figure 5). Wait for the measured
values to stabilize. It takes a few seconds for the unit to reach a steady
state with the gas flow line.
To power down the unit, press and hold the (Power) button
until the unit stops clicking.
The unit is equipped with a timed auto shutoff option. (Default: 6
minutes.)
 è See Section 8.6: Adjust Auto Shutoff Duration
Figure 4: Probe connected to a GC gas outlet.
Figure 5: LED displays the measured flow value.

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6.0 Interpreting results
The unit has an operating range of 0.50 mL/min to 500 mL/min (Figure 7). If the flow is less than
0.50 mL/min., the display will read “under range.”
If the flow exceeds 515 mL/min, the display will read “over range.” Excessively high flow rates may dam-
age this unit.
NOTE: units of mL/min are equivalent to ccm.
6.1 Flow range display
The unit automatically adjusts the resolution of the display depending on the flow range being measured.
Table III shows the resolution of the flow ranges.
Figure 6: Example flow
value.
Figure 7: Description of flow ranges.
Flow range Display resolution (mL/min)
0.50 – 9.99 0.01
10.0 – 99.9 0.1
100 – 500 1
Table III: Display resolution vs. flow range.
Flow Range
Display reads
“under range”
Display reads
flow values
Display reads
“over range”
0.50 mL/min 515 mL/min

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7.0 Data collection on the PC
WARNING: ONLY connect USB cable to USB port
while unit is OFF.
The ProFLOW 6000 provides you with a data stream of real-time
flow values via the USB port (Figure 1, p. 3). In order to use this
feature, you must first install the appropriate FTDI Virtual Com
Port (VCP) Driver available at:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
The VCP driver will cause the ProFLOW to appear as a standard
RS-232 port. This will work on any operating system for which
there is an FTDI VCP driver. After installing the driver, connecting
the device, and determining which port it creates, you can access
the data stream through any programmatic means, or by using any
serial terminal software.
For Windows systems:
To determine which port the ProFLOW is using, go to the Control
Panel and open System. Go to the Hardware tab and click the Device
Manager button. Expand the Ports (COM & LPT) entry. Make sure
the VCP driver is installed, and then connect a powered ProFLOW
6000 to the USB port. You will see the new COM port appear. Open
your serial terminal.
è See Section 8.2: USB Activation
Figure 8: Screen capture of data collection.

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If you do not already have serial terminal software, free,
open-source options are available online (i.e., RealTerm, etc.).
You can download RealTerm* software from:
http://realterm.sourceforge.net/
After installation, click the Port tab and set the following:
Baud: 115200
Port: The appropriate VCP for your ProFLOW
Parity: None
Data Bits: 8 bits
Stop Bits: 1 bit
HardwareFlow Control: None
Go to the USB menu entry in the ProFLOW and turn the
transmission on. Finally, click Open on the Port tab in RealTerm
and you will see the serial data stream begin in the terminal window
(Figure 8).
If you would like to log the flow data, this can be done by clicking
on the Capture tab. Set File to the name and location of the log file
that you would like to save and click either the Start: Overwrite or
Start: Append buttons appropriately (Figure 9).
*This software is not supplied or supported by Restek. User assumes all responsibility for the
downloading and use of the program.
Figure 9: Screen capture of data collection.

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8.0 ProFLOW 6000 menu structure
8.1 Unit power up/power down
Press the (Power) button:
The LCD screen will display Followed by
the device intro screen: calibrated date:
To power off, press and hold the (Power) button.
Other messages encountered at power up
If the unit is hooked up to a flow stream
with a flow rate less than 0.50 mL/min, the
unit will report an “under range” status for
the flow. This message will appear until the
flow rate exceeds 0.50 mL/min.
Followed by measured
flow data:
01/10/2012

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8.2 USB activation
To enable the USB, press the (Menu) button.
Use the (arrow) keys to select the USB menu:
Press the (menu) button again to enter the value select
screen.
Use the (arrow) keys to toggle between USB “on” and “off.”
To return to the main menu screen, press the (menu)
button.
To exit and return to measuring flow, press the (menu)
button again.
è See Section 7.0: Data Collection on the PC
8.3 Adjust LCD image backlight
Press the (Menu) button.
Use the (arrow) keys to select the Backlight menu:
Press the (Menu) button again to enter the value select
screen.
Use the (arrow) keys to select the backlight value.
Backlight Values: 0 (off) and 5 (maximum).
To return to the main menu screen, press the (Menu)
button.
To exit and return to measuring flow, press the (Menu)
button again.