SDT 170 MTT User manual

DC.TTSY.MA.02 -- 02 -- Addenda Manuel utilisation SDT170MTT.doc
Lors de son utilisation, l’appareil SDT
170M TT doit être exclusivement alimenté
par sa batterie. L’usage du chargeur est
alors strictement interdit.
Bij het gebruik van de SDT 170 MTT dient
het toestel uitsluitend met de batterij
gevoed te worden. Het gebruik van de
lader is dan strikt verboden
During its use, the SDT 170M TT device
must be exclusively supplied with its
battery. The use of the charger is then
strictly prohibited.
IT, ES

DC.TTSY.MA.02 -- 02 -- Addenda Manuel utilisation SDT170MTT.doc
In occasione del suo utilizzo,
l'apparecchio SDT 170 MTT deve essere
esclusivamente alimentato dalla sua
batteria. L'utilizzo del caricabatterie è
allora strettamente vietato.
En su utilización, el aparato SDT 170 MTT
debe ser abastecido exclusivamente por
su batería. La utilización del cargador
está entonces estrictamente prohibida.
FR, NL, EN

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Ultrasonic system
SDT 170 MTT
for tightness controlling of
underground fuel tanks and their
associated pipe work
Version with acquisition of reference values
User’s manual

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Copyright ©2008 by SDT International n.v. s.a.
Fourth edition, US English.
All rights reserved: No one is permitted to reproduce or duplicate, in any form, the
whole or part of this document without the written permission of SDT International
n.v. s.a.
The information herein is believed to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.
Due to continued research and development, specifications of this product can
change without prior notice.
SDT International n.v. s.a.
Bd. de l’Humanité 415,
B – 1190 Brussels (BELGIUM)
Tel: ++32.2.332.32.25
Fax: ++32.2.376.27.07
e-mail: [e-mail]
web page: http://www.sdt.be
V488

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Content
1. The ultrasonic system SDT TankTEST ......................................7
2. Technical advantages of the tightness control by ultrasounds9
3. The user’s manual......................................................................11
1st part – The equipment
4. Definitions...................................................................................15
4.1 Sound and ultrasound..............................................................................15
4.2 Control principle .......................................................................................16
5. Delivered equipment ..................................................................17
5.1 Description of the delivered equipment ....................................................17
5.2 Available options......................................................................................18
5.3 Options for hazardous environments........................................................19
5.4 Table of the equipment composition.........................................................20
6. Detection principle .....................................................................23
6.1 Interconnection of elements .....................................................................23
6.2 Principle....................................................................................................23
7. Overview of the SDT 170 MTT....................................................27
7.1 Full view ...................................................................................................27
7.2 The keyboard ...........................................................................................28
7.3 Full view of the SDT 170 MTT..................................................................29
7.4 Display .....................................................................................................30
7.5 Fields of use for the SDT 170 MTT ..........................................................31

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2nd part – Installing the application
8. Installing the Graphs & measurements application.................35
8.1 Minimal configuration m of the PC ...........................................................35
8.2 Installing the application...........................................................................35
8.3 Parameterizing the application.................................................................38
9. Interconnecting to SDT 170 MTT through USB........................41
9.1 Installing the converter software............................................................... 41
9.2 Connecting the SDT 170 MTT to the USB port........................................41
9.3 Parameterizing the USB port....................................................................42
3rd part – Carrying out the test
10. Installation procedure................................................................47
10.1 Warnings..................................................................................................47
10.2 Installing pump and sensors ....................................................................49
11. Procedure for carrying out the tightness test in free mode...57
11.1 Appliances initial adjusting.......................................................................57
11.2 Taking and recording of the reference values..........................................60
11.3 Selecting the Max value function..............................................................62
11.4 Tightness testing under the liquid level....................................................63
11.5 Tightness testing above the liquid level....................................................68
11.6 Conclusion of the tightness test ...............................................................70
11.7 General flow chart for the tightness test...................................................71
11.8 Some advice ............................................................................................74
12. Procedure for carrying out the tightness test in data recording
mode...........................................................................................77
12.1 Appliances initial adjusting.......................................................................78
12.2 Entering the test informations...................................................................79
12.3 Carrying out the tightness test in data recording mode............................ 81
12.4 Transferring data from the SDT 170 MTT to the PC ................................84
12.5 Consulting uploaded data ........................................................................87

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4th part - Appendix
13. Specific procedure for petrol tanks...........................................99
13.1 Specific operations...................................................................................99
13.2 Safety instructions..................................................................................101
13.3 Safety markings......................................................................................101
14. Useful information for calculation...........................................103
14.1 Pressure units conversion table .............................................................103
14.2 The resistance to distortion calculation ..................................................103
14.3 Link bewteen boiling point and pressure ................................................109
15. Technical specifications ..........................................................113
15.1 SDT 170 MTT.........................................................................................113
15.2 External ultrasonic sensors ....................................................................114
15.3 Interface box (Switchbox).......................................................................115
16. Certificate of conformity of the sensors and interface box...117
17. Declaration of conformity in the European Union .................123
18. Acknowledgments....................................................................125
19. Warranty and limit of responsibility........................................127
19.1 Conditions of warranty............................................................................127
19.2 Limit of responsibility..............................................................................127
19.3 Important recommendations...................................................................128
20. Index..........................................................................................129

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The undisputed leader in its field, SDT International designs and manufactures a
wide range of measuring instruments for ultrasonic detection and the evaluation of
various other physical parameters.
The company’s expertise covers a wide range of applications: tightness tests on
large and small volume and underground tanks, leaks detection on any
pressurized circuit, production quality control, wear and tear anomalies detection
in the predictive maintenance of mechanical installations.
Our company’s success is based on our philosophy and our desire to always
respond to our customers’ problems by the most efficient and cost saving
answers.

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1. The ultrasonic system
SDT TankTEST
The SDT TankTEST method is the quickest, the most effective and the cheapest
way to control the tightness of underground fuel tanks and their associated piping.
The SDT 170 MTT system
Two control procedures have been applied to the version named SDT 170 MTT.
•A control procedure in free mode, without recording data.
•A procedure for control confirmations or data recording mode, to be
used as an option after the first procedure.
In this case, recorded data are, on the one hand, data entered into the device
by the operator and, on the other hand, data automatically recorded by the
device, as follows:
A. Data entered into the device by the operator
- The identity of the tank (up to 12 alphanumeric characters);
- The depression level applied to the tank;
- The duration of measurement-taking. One measurement per second will
be recorded during the selected duration, with an equal and automatic
distribution of the total control duration on each of the two sensors.
B. Data automatically recorded by the device
- Full date and time stamping of the control;
- The serial numbers on the interface box and detector;
- The number of measurements made at the ratio of one measurement per
second over the total duration of the test, with identification of the sensor
for each measurement.
All these data can then be transferred to a PC, with a view to producing a
control and archiving report. They represent evidence of the test and the
measurements taken. The control is automatically date and time stamped.
The SDT 170 MTT detector also enables, via a suitable cable, recording of
sounds on audio minidisc for archiving on PC.

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2. Technical advantages of the
tightness control by ultrasounds
The technology developed by SDT International (depression method) has
numerous advantages:
Ecological
•In the event of a leak, no fuel is spilled in the ground during the test. The
pollution is not worsened by the liquid (heating oil or water) under pressure
being spilled in the ground (pressurizing method).
•No use of filling water having to be cleaned after the test.
Fast
•The ultrasound technique does not require draining/filling of the tank and
waiting time, so there is no down time (hydraulic method).
•It allows you to check the tank and its filler and bleeding pipes in a single
operation and without dismantling the panel of the manhole.
•The test lasts for around 60 minutes.
Precise
•The SDT TankTEST technique detects even the smallest of perforations or
"mini faults" not yet causing a leak.
•It allows you to locate the tightness problem, either on the tank itself, or
around the manhole cover, or on the pipes or on their connections.
Reliable
•The test can be carried out whatever the height of the liquid (max. 2 meters)
except if the tank is 100 % full.
•The SDT TankTEST is not influenced by temperature, humidity or the angle
of the tank. It is just as effective in dry environments as in wet.

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Economical
•In addition to the time gains linked to the set-up, the SDT TankTEST offers
the benefits of robust equipment for work "in the field" and is able to perform
thousands of checks.
Portable
•The pump and the 2 boxes are easy to transport. The SDT 170 MTT
measuring appliance only weighs 0.7 kg.
•The Ni-Cd power pack provides total freedom of movement (8 to 10 hours
autonomy).
Easy to use
•The equipment is ergonomic and the check can easily be carried out by
anyone who has received technical or practical training from the manufacturer
or the latter’s representative.
•In data recording mode procedure confirming controls, the user is helped by
having each phase of the test displayed. Moreover, all measurements taken
are saved in the internal memory and can be uploaded to a PC for reference,
reporting or archiving purposes. Use of this function is optional for each user.
The SDT TankTEST system is much more sensitive to detection than any
other methods of test under pressure. It detects all tightness problems in an
audible (listening to signal picked up by the headphone) and measurable
(digital display in dBµV) way.

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3. The user’s manual
This User’s manual must be red carefully and completely prior to anyone using the
equipment.
The User’s manual is designed as an educational guide and reference tool for
anyone who wishes to use the SDT 170 MTT equipment in the framework of
controlling tightness of underground tanks.
SDT produces this manual with the sole purpose of supplying simple and accurate
information to the user. SDT shall not be held responsible for any miss-
interpretation of this manual. Despite our efforts to provide an accurate manual, it
may contain technical errors beyond our control. If in doubt, contact your local
SDT distributor for clarification.
While every effort was made to present a true and accurate text, modifications
and/or improvements to the product described herein can be made at any time
without corresponding changes being made to the manual.
This User’s manual and its contents remain the inalienable property of SDT.

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13
X1st partx
The equipmentx

14

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4. Definitions
4.1 SOUND AND ULTRASOUND
Sound is generally produced by a vibrating body. The surrounding air participates
in its movement creating waves around it, which transmit the sound energy. The
frequency, measured in cycles per second or hertz, is the number of sound wave
vibrations in a second. The lower the number of vibrations, the lower the
frequency.
Ultrasound is a vibration with the same nature as sound, but of a frequency higher
than 20 kHz, inaudible to the human ear whose hearing range is between 15 Hz
and 20 kHz.
Figure 1 : The ultrasound frequency range is higher than frequencies that are audible to the
human being. 503
In terms of the diffuse transmission of sound, the ultrasound is propagated more
directionally, like a beam of light whose intensity decreases based on the
distance. In fact, the higher the frequency, the more the acoustic transmission is
absorbed into the air. The extent to which the high frequency transmission is
absorbed gives the directionality to the ultrasonic transmission.
Ultrasound is naturally generated by the following phenomena:
•Fluid turbulence: caused by pneumatic or hydraulic problems (leaks)
•Friction: the cause of mechanical problems.

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4.2 CONTROL PRINCIPLE
Listening is understanding
Using sensitive sensors, the SDT 170 MTT detector picks up specially defined
frequencies to detect any tightness problems in the underground tanks, both
above the level and in the liquid itself.
It converts them into audible frequencies making an unknown part of his
environment perceptible to the human being.
A digital indicator displays (in dBµV) the peak value of the ultrasonic signal
detected.
Figure 2 : Any defects in terms of tightness will produce a signal that is detectable by the
SDT 170 MTT. 504

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5. Delivered equipment
5.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE DELIVERED EQUIPMENT
Refer to picture on page 21.
(1) Measuring instrument type SDT 170 MTT
The SDT 170 MTT detector treats and measures the ultrasonic signals coming
from the sensors. The appliance converts these signals to audible frequencies via
a headphone. The operator can avail of a double diagnosis: the digital display of
the measures and the acoustic detection of leaks.
The SDT 170 MTT is equipped with the following accessories:
•One flexible rod with open sensor (not watertight) allowing to check the
tightness of the connections, of the manhole, etc.
•One headphone, noise isolated.
•One power pack in the appliance, with an overall autonomy of 8 to 10 hours
operation.
•One charger.
•One precision connection + 3 small ad hoc accessories.
•One RS 232 C cable.
•One software for data transfer from SDT 170 MTT to PC delivered on a CD
Rom.
(2) Two ultrasonic sensors
They must be installed inside the tank. These 32 mm Ø sensors are watertight,
ex-proof and resistant to hydrocarbons. They are certified in accordance with
Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX) by ISSEP (0492) with EX II 1G degree of protection.
(3) Interface (Switchbox)
This provides a link between the two sensors 2 and the SDT 170 MTT. This
intrinsic safety interface is equipped with intrinsic safety barrier, an earth
connection and a fixed interconnection cable to the SDT 170 MTT. This box is
certified in accordance with Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX) by ISSEP (0492) with EX II
(1)G degree of protection.