UMS HYPROP User manual

User Manual
© UMS GmbH München
Art. no. HYPROP
Version 01/2010
Author: an/tk/mn
H
HY
Y
P
PR RO OP P

HYPROP system
2/92
Table of content
1HYPROP system 5
1.1 Safety instructions and warnings 5
1.2 Content of delivery 6
1.3 Foreword 7
1.4 Expression of thanks 7
1.5 Intended use 9
1.6 Guarantee 9
2Process summary 10
3Product description 11
3.1 System components 11
3.2 Sensor unit 11
3.2.1 Main body 11
3.2.2 Pressure transducers 12
3.2.3 Tensiometers 13
3.2.4 Temperature sensor 14
3.2.5 Plug connector 14
3.3 Sampling ring 15
3.4 Software tensioVIEW®15
4Get ready to start a measuring campaign 16
4.1 Soil samples 17
4.1.1 Take soil samples 17
4.1.2 Saturate the samples 17
4.2 Filling 18
4.2.1 Important cautions 18
4.2.2 Introduction 20
4.2.3 Refilling with the HYPROP service kit 20
4.2.3.1 Degassing the ceramic tip and tensiometer shaft 22
4.2.3.2 Degas the sensor head 26
4.2.3.3 Reassemble the HYPROP sensor head 28
4.2.4 Filling with vacuum pump 31
4.2.5 Check the HYPROP 32
4.3 Attach the sampling ring 33
4.3.1 Auger the Tensiometer holes 33
4.3.2 Assemble sensor unit and sampling ring 34
5Set-up the HYPROP 36
5.1 Connect the system components 36
5.1.1 Connect sensor units 37
5.1.2 Connect the scale 38
5.2 Software tensioVIEW®39
5.2.1 Menu 39
5.2.1.1 Find devices 39
5.2.1.2 Single device mode 39
5.2.1.3 Multiplexed devices mode 39
5.2.2 Device window 40

HYPROP system
3/92
5.2.2.1 Properties 40
5.2.2.2 Configuration of a device 40
5.2.2.3 Configuration settings for HYPROP 42
5.2.3 Refilling window 44
5.2.4 Current readings 45
5.2.5 Stored readings 45
5.3 Add the scale 46
6Perform a measuring campaign 48
6.1 Starting conditions 48
6.2 Measuring campaign window 50
6.3 Configure the campaign 51
6.4 Estimate the initial water content 54
6.5 Zero offset 55
6.6 Perform the measurement 56
6.6.1 Single unit mode and multiplex device mode 56
6.6.2 Start of a measuring campaign 56
6.6.3 Constant starting conditions 56
6.6.4 Start of a spontaneously measurement 57
6.6.5 Current status of the measurement 57
6.6.6 Measurements in the „Singel device mode“ 58
6.6.6.1 Multiplexed devices mode 59
6.6.7 Interrupt a measuring campaign 60
6.6.8 End of a measuring campaign 61
6.6.9 Removal of the soil sample 61
6.6.10 Estimate the soil dry weight 61
6.7 Evaluation of readings 62
6.8 Calculation and Fitting 63
6.9 Export readings and calculations 64
6.10 Typical Results for different soio (after a data export) 66
Trouble shooting 67
8Service and maintenance 69
8.1 Testing 69
8.2 Check the HYPROP 69
8.2.1 Calibration 69
8.2.2 Check the Offset 70
8.3 Cleaning 70
8.4 Storage 70
9Theoretical basics 71
9.1 Evaporation method (overview) 71
9.2 Discrete data for retention and conductivity relation 71
9.3 Retention and conductivity functions 72
9.3.1 The van Genuchten/Mualem modell 73
9.3.2 The bimodal van Genuchten/Mualem Model 73
9.3.3 The Brooks and Corey Model 74
9.4 Optimization of the parameter 74
10 Additional notes 75

HYPROP system
4/92
10.1 Extended measuring range 75
10.1.1 The bubble point of the porous cup 75
10.1.2 The vapour pressure of water 75
10.1.3 Boiling retardation: 76
10.2 Vapour pressure influence on pF/WC 77
10.3 Osmotic effect 77
11 Appendix 78
11.1 Parameter list 78
11.1.1 Input 78
11.1.2 Output 79
11.1.3 Parameter listing and describtion of the .csv table: 80
11.2 Technical specifications 81
11.2.1 Wiring configuration 82
11.3 Accessories 83
11.3.1 HYPROP extension and Accessories 83
11.3.2 Service kit 84
11.4 Units for soil water and matrix potentials 84
12 List of literature 85
13 Table of figures 86
14 Index 87
Your addressee at UMS 92

HYPROP system
5/92
1 HYPROP system
Laboratory evaporation method according to WIND/SCHINDLER for
the determination of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and water
retention characteristics of soil samples.
1.1 Safety instructions and warnings
Electrical installations must comply with the safety and EMC
requirements of the country in which the system is to be used.
Please note that any damages caused by users are not covered by
warranty.
Tensiometers are instruments for measuring the soil water tension,
soil water pressure and soil temperature and are designed for this
purpose only.
Please be aware of the following warnings:
High pressure: The maximum non destructive pressure is
300 kPa = 3 bar = 3000 hPa. Higher pressure, which might occur
for example during insertion in wet clayey soils or during refilling
and reassembling, will damage the pressure transducer!
Ceramic cup: Do not touch the cup with your fingers. Grease,
sweat or soap residues will influence the ceramic's hydrophilic
performance.
Freezing: Tensiometers are filled with water and therefore are
sensitive to freezing! Protect Tensiometers from freezing at any
time. Never leave Tensiometers over night inside a cabin or car
when freezing temperatures might occur!
Do not use a sharp tool for cleaning the threads in the sensor unit.
Just rinse it with pure water from a spray bottle.

HYPROP system
6/92
1.2 Content of delivery
The delivery includes:
Sensor unit
Sensor unit connecting cable
Soil sampling ring, 250 ml
Silicone gasket
Set of Tensiometer shafts, 2 each 50 mm and 25 mm
Service kit for refilling incl. refilling tools (syringes, sensor unit
filling attachment etc.), distilled water, auger kit, all in blue case
35 x 30 x 8 cm
Perforated saturation attachment
6 pcs. filter fabric, 15 cm x 15 cm
tensioVIEW®software on CD
tensioLINK®USB converter
tensioLINK®T-piece junction plug
9 V mains power supply unit
Scale*
* only included in the starter set HYPROP-SW
For available accessories see chapter “Accessories”.
Fig. 1: Content of delivery

HYPROP system
7/92
1.3 Foreword
Measuring systems must be reliable and durable and should require
a minimum of maintenance to achieve target-oriented results and
keep the servicing low. Moreover, the success of any technical
system is directly depending on a correct operation.
At the beginning of a measuring task or research project the target,
all effective values and the surrounding conditions must be defined.
This leads to the demands for the scientific and technical project
management which describes all quality related processes and
decides on the used methods, the technical and measurement tools,
the verification of the results and the modeling.
The continuously optimized correlation of all segments and its quality
assurance are finally decisive for the success of a project.
So please do not hesitate to contact us for further support and
information. We wish you good success with your projects.
Yours,
Georg von Unold
1.4 Expression of thanks
Dr. Uwe Schindler was able to considerably simplify the evaporation
method by WIND by analyzing the evaporation process and the
spatiotemporal decrease of water content inside the sample during
the evaporation process. The results of surveys of more than 2000
samples became part of German and international soil data bases
(HYPRES, UNSODA) and were basis of many scientific studies.
List of referring publications:
1. Schindler, U. (1980): Ein Schnellverfahren zur Messung der
Wasserleitfähigkeit im teilgesättigten Boden an
Stechzylinderproben. Arch. Acker- u. Pflanzenbau u. Bodenkd.,
Berlin 24, 1, 1-7.
2. Schindler, U.; Bohne, K. and R. Sauerbrey (1985): Comparison
of different measuring and calculating methods to quantify the
hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soil. Z. Pflanzenernähr.
Bodenkd., 148, 607-617.
3. Schindler U., Thiere, J., Steidl, J. und L. Müller (2004):
Bodenhydrologische Kennwerte heterogener Flächeneinheiten-
Methodik der Ableitung und Anwendungsbeispiel für
Nordostdeutschland. Fachbeitrag des Landesumweltamtes.

HYPROP system
8/92
H.87. Bodenschutz 2. Landesumweltamt Brandenburg.
Potsdam. 55 S.
http://www.brandenburg.de/cms/media.php/2320/lua_bd87.pdf
4. Schindler, U., Müller L. 2006. Simplifying the evaporation
method for quantifying soil hydraulic properties. J. of Plant
Nutrition and Soil Science. 169 (5). 169.623-629.
Mr. Andre Peters, in his dissertation at the Institute for Geoecology of
the Technical University Braunschweig, headed by Prof. Dr.
Wolfgang Durner, has scientifically examined the theoretical
principles of the calculation method and improved the method to be
more precise. Furthermore, he developed the software SHYPFIT 2.0
to adapt the retention and conductivity functions to the measured
data, and implemented it in the HYPROP calculation software.
The thesis is documented in following publications:
1. Peters, A., and W. Durner (2008): Simplified Evaporation Method
for Determining Soil Hydraulic Properties. Journal of Hydrology,
under review.
2. Peters, A., and W. Durner (2007): Optimierung eines einfachen
Verdunstungsverfahrens zur Bestimmung bodenhydraulischer
Eigenschaften, Mitteilungen der Deutschen Bodenkundlichen
Gesellschaft, im Druck.
3. Peters, A., and W. Durner (2006a): Improved estimation of soil
water retention characteristics from hydrostatic column
experiments, Water Resource. Res., 42, W11401,
doi:10.1029/2006WR004952.
4. Peters, A. und W. Durner (2006b), SHYPFIT 2.0 Users Manual,
Internal Report. Institut für Geoökologie, Technische Universität
Braunschweig.
5. Peters, A., and W. Durner (2005): Verbesserte Methode zur
Bestimmung der Retentionsfunktion aus statischen
Säulenexperimenten, Mitteilungen der Deutschen
Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft. 107, 83-84.
6. Peters, A., and W. Durner (2007): Optimierung eines einfachen
Verdunstungsverfahrens zur Bestimmung bodenhydraulischer
Eigenschaften, Tagung der Deutschen Bodenkundlichen
Gesellschaft, Dresden, 2-.9.September 2007. URL:
http://www.soil.tu-bs.de/pubs/poster/2007.Peters.Poster.DBG.pdf
.

HYPROP system
9/92
Sincere thanks are given to them for their support in the
development and for the numerous theoretical discussions and
practical advice. This helped to turn the method into a reliable
system with both, high accuracy and repeatability and excellent user
friendliness.
The technical and scientific high-lights of the HYPROP system are
the interactive graphical menu, the automatic offset correction and
the fitting routines according to Peters and Durner (2006b). Thus,
your HYPROP system is an extraordinary high tech soil laboratory
system.
1.5 Intended use
The intended use of the HYPROP system is the measurement and
determination of water retention characteristics and unsaturated
hydraulic conductivity as a function of water tension or water content
in a soil sample.
1.6 Guarantee
UMS gives a guarantee of 12 months against defects in manufacture
or materials used. The guarantee does not cover damage through
misuse or inexpert servicing or circumstances beyond our control.
The guarantee includes replacement or repair and packing but
excludes shipping expenses. Please contact UMS or our
representative before returning equipment. Place of fulfillment is
Munich, Gmunder Str. 37, Germany!

Process summary
10/92
2 Process summary
1. Preparation of sample and hardware
1.1. Fill HYPROP sensor unit(s) and Tensiometer shafts
1.2. Take samples with soil sampling rings
1.3. Saturate the soil samples
1.4. Drill the holes for the Tensiometer shafts
1.5. Place the sampling ring on the sensor unit
1.6. Connect the sensor unit to the PC
1.7. Connect the scale to the PC
2. Configuration of the tensioVIEW software
2.1. Add the scale
2.2. Define your measuring campaign
2.3. Select file and sample name(s)
2.4. Optionally select units and intervals
2.5. Optionally enter initial water content or select „automatically“
2.6. Select model and soil type
3. Execute the measurement campaign
3.1. Start the measurement, data is stored from this point
3.2. Wait for constant starting conditions
3.3. Set the starting line as soon as tension readings are constant
3.4. Weigh the samples in intervals, every 12 to 48 hours depending
on soil type
3.5. When one of the Tensiometers runs dry make the final weighing
and stop the campaign
4. Evaluation
4.1. Determine the dry weight and enter it into the „Dry weight“ input
box
4.2. Set the stop line to the point just before the first Tensiometer
runs dry
4.3. Fit
5. Data export

Product description
11/92
3 Product description
3.1 System components
A measuring system can include one or several HYPROP
assemblies (max. 20). A HYPROP assembly consists of a sensor
unit and a sampling ring with a soil sample which is placed on each
sensor unit. Sensor units are linked to a PC via the serial
tensioLINK® bus.
In intervals each sensor unit with sampling ring is weighed on a
laboratory scale. The scale must have either a RS232 or USB
interface, and the scale type must be implemented in the software.
3.2 Sensor unit
3.2.1 Main body
The electronic components and pressure transducers are
incorporated in the main body of the sensor unit. The sensor unit is
splash water proof (IP65) and can be cleaned with water as long as
the plug cover is closed.
Fig 2: HYPROP assembly

Product description
12/92
3.2.2 Pressure transducers
The internal pressure transducers measure the soil water tension in
the sample through the two shafts differentially against atmosphere.
Screw-in thread for the
shafts with pressure
transducer beneath
Fastener clip
Silicone gasket
Sampling ring
Sensor unit
Tensiometer shaft
for lower level incl.
ceramic tip
Tensiometer shaft
for upper level incl.
ceramic tip
O-Ring, prevents
intrusion of soil
O-Ring, seals
Tensiometers
Temperature sensor
Fig. 3: Sensor unit

Product description
13/92
3.2.3 Tensiometers.2.3 Tensiometers
Tensiometers measure the soil water tension or the matric potential.
These Tensiometers have a measuring range of +100 kPa
(water pressure) to -85 kPa (water tension). With proper
filling the Tensiometers may work beyond the conventional
tension measuring range. If the soil gets too dry the
Tensiometer needs to be refilled (see chapter “Refilling”).
Tensiometers measure the soil water tension or the matric potential.
These Tensiometers have a measuring range of +100 kPa
(water pressure) to -85 kPa (water tension). With proper
filling the Tensiometers may work beyond the conventional
tension measuring range. If the soil gets too dry the
Tensiometer needs to be refilled (see chapter “Refilling”).
The soil water tension is conducted via the porous ceramic
tip to the water inside the shaft and measured as an
analogue signal by the pressure transducer.
The soil water tension is conducted via the porous ceramic
tip to the water inside the shaft and measured as an
analogue signal by the pressure transducer.
The Tensiometer shafts are screwed into the transducer
openings in the sensor unit. Standard sampling rings can
easily be placed on the sensor unit so the Tensiometer
ceramic tips are positioned inside the soil sample. There is one short
and one long shaft to pick up the tension at two depths.
The Tensiometer shafts are screwed into the transducer
openings in the sensor unit. Standard sampling rings can
easily be placed on the sensor unit so the Tensiometer
ceramic tips are positioned inside the soil sample. There is one short
and one long shaft to pick up the tension at two depths.
Fig. 4
The Tensiometer shafts are one of the most sensitive parts of the
system. Always handle them with care.
To transfer the soil water tension as a negative pressure into the
Tensiometer, a semi-permeable diaphragm is required. This must
have good mechanical stability and water-permeability, but also have
gas impermeability.
The Tensiometer tip consists of porous ceramic Al2O3sintered
material. The special manufacturing process guarantees
homogeneous porosity with good water conductivity and very high
firmness. Compared to conventional porous ceramics the tip is much
more durable.
The bubble point of a Tensiometer ceramic is about 800 kPa. If the
soil gets dryer than the bubble point, air passes through. Thus, the
negative pressure inside the cup decreases and the readings go
down to 0 kPa.
With these characteristics this material has outstanding suitability to
work as the semi permeable diaphragm for Tensiometers.
Be aware that the ceramic will dry out when it is exposed to air
uncovered. Always put on the rubber cap filled with some water.

Product description
14/92
3.2.4 Temperature sensor.2.4 Temperature sensor
A temperature probe sits inside the small stainless steel pin on the
sensor unit. It measures the temperature of the soil sample. Although
the temperature is not part of the measurement it is useful
information for reviewing the quality of a measuring campaign. The
sensor has a tolerance of 0.2 K at 10 °C.
A temperature probe sits inside the small stainless steel pin on the
sensor unit. It measures the temperature of the soil sample. Although
the temperature is not part of the measurement it is useful
information for reviewing the quality of a measuring campaign. The
sensor has a tolerance of 0.2 K at 10 °C.
3.2.5 Plug connector3.2.5 Plug connector
The bus cable is connected to the plug on the side of the sensor unit.
As the plug is taken on and off
regularly during a measuring campaign
an easy-going push-pull plug is used.
The bus cable is connected to the plug on the side of the sensor unit.
As the plug is taken on and off
regularly during a measuring campaign
an easy-going push-pull plug is used.
A simple-to-open spring-loaded cover
protects the plug when no cable is
connected. Tightly close the plug cover
before cleaning the sensor unit.
A simple-to-open spring-loaded cover
protects the plug when no cable is
connected. Tightly close the plug cover
before cleaning the sensor unit.
Fig. 5: Push-pull plug
Dirt water inside the plug opening will destroy the functionality of
the connector.
Do not twist the plug.
Make sure that the cover is closed tightly before cleaning.

15/92
3.3 Sampling ring
A soil sample is taken with a stainless-steel sampling ring which has
a volume of 250 ml. The sampling ring is placed on the sensor unit
and fastened with the two clips. A silicone gasket completely seals
the bottom of the soil sample.
3.4 Software tensioVIEW®
The HYPROP system is equipped with the tensioLINK®measuring
bus. With tensioLINK®you are able to create an extended network.
The network is connected
to a PC with the
tensioLINK®USB-
converter. The Windows
software tensioVIEW®is
used for configuration of
the devices and to
visualize data. The
software automatically
recognizes all connected
devices.
Additional functions are
integrated in tensioVIEW®
for optimized usage with
HYPROP (see chapter ”Performing a measuring campaign“.). The
functions are activated whenever the bus recognizes that a HYPROP
unit is connected.
Fig. 6: tensioVIEW®
If a laboratory scale with serial RS232 or USB interface is used
readings are automatically taken and evaluated by the tensioVIEW®
software.

Get ready to start a measuring campaign
4 Get ready to start a measuring
campaign
The following tools are required to prepare a HYPROP unit before a
measuring campaign:
- Sampling ring, volume 250 ml
- Perforated saturation attachment
- A dish or bowl with minimum rim height 7 cm
- Mesh fabric, 15 cm x 15 cm
- Auger positioning tool
- HYPROP auger
- Pair of scissors*
- Service case for Tensiometer refilling
* not included
16/92
Fig. 7: Items for preparing samples

Get ready to start a measuring campaign
17/92
4.1 Soil samples
4.1.1 Take soil samples
Samples should be as fresh as possible. Please follow the guidelines
for taking soil samples (described in DIN 4021, “Exploration by
excavation and borings; sampling)
Following a short instruction for soil sampling based on lecture notes
from Prof. Dr. W. Durner:
Uncover the preferred soil level. This can be either vertical or
horizontal. Hammer in the ring by using a proper knock-on handle
and a medium size hammer. Hammer in straight and avoid tilting the
ring. Carefully excavate the ring with a knife or spatula. Now cut off
the overlapping soil along the ring’s rim with a very sharp knife - take
care not to smear the pores. Cover the samples with protective caps
for transportation. In general a minimum of 5 to 10 samples per soil
level are taken to determine the bulk density and the retention curve.
Weights of the sampling rings might vary. Therefore, it is essential
that the rings are specifically weighed.
4.1.2 Saturate the samples
Remove the protective cap from the upper side of the sample (the
side with the straight rim without cutting edge) and place the mesh
fabric on the sample.
Attach the perforated saturation attachment to clamp the cloth.
Turn around the sample and
remove the second plastic
cap.
Fill the dish with water and
place the sample in the dish,
standing on the perforated
attachment. The water level
should be 1 cm below the
upper rim of the sampling
ring.
The cutting edge shows
upwards, thus the sample is saturated from the reverse side.
Fig. 8: Dish with water and samples
The duration until the sample is saturated and all air is removed will
depend on the soil type. When saturated, the sample surface will

Get ready to start a measuring campaign
18/92
have a glossy appearance. Clayey soil will need the longest (several
days).
4.2 Filling
4.2.1 Important cautions
Caution: The Hyprop uses highly sensitive pressure transducers.
Improper handling can cause irreversible damage!
Read the chapter about refilling in this manual first.
Be extremely cautious when
screwing in the filled
Tensiometer cups. The
pressure inside the cup will
rise abruptly and
exceedingly! Always
observe the pressure in the
online window of
tensioVIEW!
Screw in the shaft slowly,
make sure the pressure
always is below the yellow
range.
Read the complete chapter
about refilling in this
manual!

Get ready to start a measuring campaign
19/92
Be cautious when pulling off
the tube as vacuum is
inside!
An abrupt negative pressure
change on the water column
might destroy the pressure
transducer.
Do not pull off the tube
rapidly. Allow the pressure
to be released through the
end of the tube or pull off
the tube slowly so the
pressure inside the refilling
adaptor will rise slowly.
Be cautious when tapping
off air bubbles!
Do not knock the sensor
head too hard when under
pressure. Any impact of the
water column might destroy
the pressure transducer.

Get ready to start a measuring campaign
20/92
4.2.2 Introduction
Before starting and after every completed measuring campaign (the
sample is dried out) the Tensiometers need to be filled or refilled
bubble free with deionised and degassed water.
Keep the ceramic moist when not in use by covering them with the
water filled rubber cap.
Ceramic tip: Do not touch the tip with your fingers. Grease, sweat
or soap residues will influence the ceramic's hydrophilic
performance.
The HYPROP-service kit or a vacuum system and a PC/Laptop with
tensioVIEW®software are required for filling or refilling.
4.2.3 Refilling with the HYPROP service kit
This chapter describes the refilling using the tools of the HYPROP
service kit.
The procedure requires 5 steps, which will be discussed in detail
later in the chapter:
1. Check the Tensiometer
2. Degas ceramic cup and shaft
3. Degas the sensor unit
4. Reassemble
5. Check the result