UMS KSAT User manual

Quick Guide
KSAT
At a glance – how it works
The device measures the hydraulic conductivity, Ks, of saturated soil samples.
Measurements are based on the Darcy equation.
UMS GmbH
Gmunder Str. 37
81379 Munich
Tel. +49 (0) 89 / 12 66 52 - 0
Fax +49 (0) 89 / 12 66 52 - 20
[email protected]
www.ums-muc.de
© 2012 UMS GmbH, Munich, Germany
Print #: KSAT12.12e
Subject to modifications and amendments without notice.
KSAT® and KSAT VIEW® are registered trademarks of UMS GmbH, Munich
Printed on paper from chlorine-free bleached pulp.
water column
height
soil sample
pressure sensor
USB connection
to computer
water discharge
water
Note: Key
water electronics air
soil saturated soil all other parts
Darcy equation
Ks = (L . V) / (H . A
. t)
L length of the sample
V percolated volume of water
H height of the water column
A area of the probe
t time
Illustrations
Instructions
The blue column gives step-by-step
instructions on how to work with this
device, e. g. „Put the sample ring on
the ring with porous plate.“
The grey column
shows the expected
results of your work.

Parts of the device
and scope of delivery
screw cap
crown
sample ring
measuring dome
water discharge
water discharge
test setup
USB connection
burette
constant head pipe
and gasket
burette cock
fill cock
ring with
porous plate
For instable materials
crown with
porous plate
For stable materials
crown
with mesh
Also included
 KSAT VIEW® software
 5 liter (1.32 gal) water tank
 1.2 meter (4 ft) supply hose
 1 . 2 m e t e r ( 4 f t ) d i s c h a r g e h o s e
 2 s p a r e s e a l i n g r i n g s f o r c r o w n s
 trough for saturating
soil samples
 stainless steel plate for
pressure sensor testing
 wiper plate
fill cock
Facts and data
Technical data
Measurable Ksat values (min.) 0.01 cm/d (0.004 in/d)
Measurable Ksat values (max.) 5000 cm/d (2000 in/d)
Hydraulic conductivity Ks of the porous plate Ks = 20000 cm/day (10000 in/d)
Typical statistical inaccuracy at constant
environmental parameters and constant
flow resistance of the soil
approx. 2%
(in practice 10%)
Accuracy of the pressure sensor 1 Pa (0.01 cm WC or 0.000145038 psi)
Accuracy of the temperature sensor 0.2° C (0.4 F)
Sample ring (fits also with UMS HYPROP® )
volume: 250 ml (0.066 gal)
height 50 mm (2 in),
internal diameter: 80 mm (3.15 in)
Software required Windows 7 and later
Microsoft Framework 3.5
Intended use
The KSAT© device is suitable for measuring the hydraulic conductivity of
saturated soil samples in a UMS sample ring. The method is based on the
German standards DIN 19683-9 and DIN 18130-1 and uses Darcy‘s equation.
In the computation equations laminar flow is assumed and therefore they
are only valid for low flow rates.
Warranty
UMS offers a warranty for material and production defects for this device in
accordance with the locally applicable legal provisions, but for a minimum of
12 months. The warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse, inexpert
servicing or circumstances beyond our control. The warranty includes replace-
ment or repair and packing but excludes shipping expenses. Please contact
UMS or our representative before returning equipment. Place of fulfillment is
Gmunder Str. 37, Munich, Germany.
Facts and data | 11

Initial operation
Initial operation | Setting zero point | 3
Put the KSAT VIEW CD into your
computer or download software
from www.ums-muc.de/KSAT.zip.
Double click ksat.msi and follow
the installation wizard.
Connect the water supply and
discharge hoses.
Connect the device to your computer's
USB port.
The wizard assists you through
the installion.
You are ready to measure!
The device connects automatically
with your computer.
Start the KSAT VIEW software.
Note
For installing the KSAT VIEW software you may need administrator rights.
Fill burette by opening the fill cock, then
close it.
Fill measuring dome by opening the
burette cock.
Put wiper plate on the water lense and
and take it horizontally off.
Select „Setting zero point“ in the software.
Select „Setting zero point“ button.
A water lense is visible.
Water level is at the rim
of the measuring dome.
Setting zero point
Setting
zero point
Note: pressure reading
In the mode „measuring“ the screen shows the value -6.9 cm (-3 in) water column after
setting zero point. This is because the measuring setup is 6.9 cm (3 in) high.

Take the sample ring with the soil out
of the transportation box.
Take lids off and clean the sample ring.
Put the sample ring on the ring with
porous plate.
Put both rings into the trough.
Fill in 2 cm (1 in) of degassed water
with similar ionic composition as
the soil sample.
Raise the water level almost to the
sample height (recommended times
see below)
Do not pour water on the sample –
you may trap air.
Use the time table below for a reference
to determine how long samples take to
saturate.
Sample surface shines.
4 | Measuring
Measuring
Saturating the soil sample
2 cm (1 in)
Note: How long saturation typically takes
material fill up after
(approx.)
saturated
after
(approx.)
coarse
sand 9 min 10 min
fine sand 45 min 1 hrs
silt 6 hrs 24 hrs
clay n. a. up to
2 weeks
Note: Reading a meniscus
in the burette correctly

A water lense is visable.
Preparing the measurement
Open fill cock and fill burette.
Close fill cock, open burette cock and
flood the measuring dome.
Close burette cock.
Take the soil sample out of the trough and
move it horizontally to the device.
Put the sample slightly tilted on the water
lense, to make sure air can escape.
Put the crown on the sample ring.
Fix the measuring set up with the screw cap.
Fill burette again.
Open burette cock until water drains
off through the discharge.
Clay samples may be „watered“
to reduce time.
Fill burette with up to 5 cms (2 in) water
column.
Open burette cock and check if sink rate
is approx. 0.1 cm/10 sec (0.1 in/20 sec).
If it is significantly less you may add water
into the burette to increase the driving
pressure and to reduce measuring time.
water
drains off
Measuring | 5
0
5
for clay only
0.1 cm/10 sec
(0.1 in/20 sec)
Note: burette vs screen reading
The measuring setup is tight if the meniscus is at zero after the water has drained off.
The pressure reading on the screen may slightly differ by ± 0.1 cm (approx. 0.05 in).

Measuring with falling head technique
Fill burette with up to 5 cm (2 in)
water column.
Start measuring mode „Falling Head“
in the software.
Open burette cock quickly.
Note: How long measuring with falling head and constant head takes
The ballpark duration is seconds to a few minutes for very conductive substrates
like sand (~1000 cm/d or 400 in/d), whereas measuring substrates like unstructured clay
with very low conductivity (< 0,1 cm/d or 0,05 in/d) may take about 24 hrs or longer.
The typical exponential curve shape.
6 | Measuring
Measurement runs automatically.
0
5
The typical exponential curve shape.

Measuring with constant head technique
Fill burette with up to 20 cm (8 in)
water column.
Insert constant head: capillary bottom
immersed into the water down to e. g.
5 cm (2 in).
Select measuring mode „Constant Head“
in the software.
Enter water column levels you are going
to read.
Press button „Start measuring“ in the software.
Open burette cock quickly.
Press button „Click here“ in the
software when the water column
passes the selected levels.
The typical constant curve shape.
Measuring | 7
0
5
Click here
The typical constant curve shape.

How to avoid trouble
Right
Stable, vibration-free work-table, adjusted
with water level
Right
Wrong
Shaky and tilted work table. Vibrations
influence the measuring results.
Wrong
8 | How to avoid trouble
Set up and environment
Cleaning the measuring dome
Right
crown
sample ring
soil sample
ring with
porous plate
Leakage free measuring setup
Sample ring and/or sealing
rings are dirty.
Clean all parts of the measuring
setup epecially the sample ring
and the sealing rings.
Wrong
trapped air
between crown
and soil sample
between soil
sample and
porous plate
below the
porous plate
Trapped air
Use a soft brush
to clean the
measuring dome.
Do not use a sharp tool
to clean the measuring
dome. You may damage
the pressure sensor.

How to avoid trouble | 9
Flow rates
Outgassing from soil sample
Temperature influences
Ion specification
Outgassing from water
Water discharge
Different ion composition and concen-
tration of water and soil affect the
value of the measured conductivity.
Make sure the ion composition and con-
centration of water and soil are similar.
If necessary adjust by adding CaCl2.
High flow rates erode the soil sample
and lead to wrong measuring results.
Air bubbles outgassing from the sample
reduce the conductivity.
Extremely high flow rates cause turbulent
flow and invalidate the methodology.
Keep the flow rates as low as possible.
The scientific literature recommends
an initial water column of 5 cm (2 in).
Soil samples can pass air bubbles that
form a film between the porous plate
and the soil sample. They reduce the
value of the measured conductivity.
Use degassed water. Saturate the soil
sample in vacuum.
A temperature raise reduces the viscosity
of the measuring fluid.
E. g. increasing temperature from 20 to
23° C (68 to 73.4 F) causes a 18% change
of the measuring result.
Measuring device, environment and
water should have the same temperature.
Keep the temperature of your lab constant.
Dissolved gases outgas and form a
bubble film between the porous plate
and the soil sample. They reduce the
value of the measured conductivity.
Use degassed water
(Boiling before measuring is ok).
Eroded particles from instable materials
like sand may plug the discharge
channel of the device.
Clean the measuring dome, remove
particles and rinse thoroughly.

Cleaning and maintenance
Storage
If you do not use the device for a longer period of time please discharge it
completely. Dry all parts, to avoid algae growth or mold formation.
Cleaning
Clean all surfaces with a wet cloth. Make sure water does not dry out in the
device. If there are soil particles in the device clean it with a soft gush of water.
If needed use a soft brush for cleaning. Then rinse the device thoroughly. Do
not forget to clean the threads of the dome and the screw cap with water
and a brush.
10 | Cleaning and maintenance | Accessories
Note: Cleaning
Do not clean the device with soap, detergents or other fluids containing surfactants
as surfactants change the surface tension of the water. This has a significant impact
on the measuring results.
The pressure sensor can be damaged by water jets or when being touched with
hard and sharp objects like screwdrivers etc.
Accessories
Sample ring and
Transport box
Standardized sample ring to gain intact soil
samples with consistent volumes. In a transport
box for optimum protection.
Hammering adaptor
SZA
Soil samples can be taken carefully by using the
hammering adaptor SZA250. The soil surface is
always visible. Further the soil sample can pass
the sample ring and the hammering adaptor.
HYPROP©
Measuring system
for determining the
pF curve the and
the unsaturated
conductivity
The evaporation method according to Wind/
Schindler is a simple and fast technique to
determine retention curves of soil samples in
standard 250 ml soil sampling rings. The unsaturated
conductivity is determined by measuring the soil
water tension with miniature Tensiometers in two
levels inside the sample, and then correlated to
the soil water tension or the moisture content.
for determining the