Vogtlin TEESING Q-Flow Series User manual

Instruction Manual
Variable area flow meter Q-Flow
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Instruction Manual Version Page
Q-Flow qflow_D5_0 © Vögtlin Instruments GmbH 02
Version: qflow_D5_0
Current information on our products can be found on the Internet at www.voegtlin.com
© 2019 Vögtlin GmbH, Switzerland
Original Instruction Manual
Variable area flow meter Q-Flow
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Instruction Manual Version Page
Q-Flow qflow_D5_0 © Vögtlin Instruments GmbH 03
Index
Introduction 4
Product description and intended use 4
Intended use 4
Safety Instructions 4
Copyright and privacy policy 5
Disclaimer 5
Warranty 5
Predictable risks 7
Corrosive Gases 8
Information on the type plate 9
Operating principle of the variable area flowmeter 10
Construction of the variable area flow meter Q-Flow 11
Technical Information 11
Technical data Q-Flow 11
Wetted Materials Q-Flow 12
Setups Q-Flow 12
Measuring ranges air 14
Notes on the configuration and specification of variable area flowmeters 15
Installation situations of variable area flowmeters 16
Installation and commissioning 18
Installation instructions 18
Instructions for commissioning 18
Recommended connections 18
Disassembly and maintenance 19
Important instructions 19
Disassembly variable area flowmeter Q-Flow 19
Panel mounting Q-Flow 20
Maintenance 21
Pollution 21
Cleaning 21
Return 21
Appendix 22
Dimensions Q-Flow 22
Contamination declaration 23
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Introduction
We are glad that you have decided to use our variable area flow meters. Our instruments will
provide you with high-quality long-lived products.
These operating instructions provide you with important information for the planning and
commissioning of your systems with regard to the safe use of variable area flowmeters. Please
contact your distribution partner if anything is not clear.
We are committed to the continual improvement of our products and documentation. Your
experience from everyday use can assist us with this. We welcome your comments and criticisms.
Product description and intended use
The variable area flowmeters are purely mechanical measuring instruments and are used to
measure and/or adjust a defined gas quantity. Below is a selection of common applications (no
claim to completeness):
- Inerting in various processes (displacement of oxygen)
- Gas mixture adjustment during heat treatment
- Gas mixture adjustment for welding processes
- Oxygen input from fish transport container
- Setting a specific flow rate to a gas analyzer
- Adjusting the process gas in vacuum coating systems
Intended use
The operator of the system is responsible for the safe operation of the control valves and takes
precautions to avoid consequential damage in the event of a device defect (leakage). In particular,
only materials which are resistant to the gas used may be used for corrosive gases. (See also
notes on "corrosive gases" and " predictable risks).
Safety Instructions
The variable area flowmeters have as measuring element a conical glass tube with a variable area
which moves in it. If handled improperly, the measuring tube may break and gas may enter the
environment. In the event of a leakage, the escaping gas can cause damage to the environment
and/or personal injury. See also " Predictable risks " page 11.
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Copyright and privacy policy
We have prepared this operating manual with all due care. However, no responsibility is taken for
the correctness, completeness and topicality of the contents.
This document is subject to copyright. Processing, in particular translation into another language,
as well as distribution require the written consent of the manufacturer.
Data transmission via computer networks may be subject to security gaps. A complete protection
of the data against access by third parties is therefore not possible.
Disclaimer
The manufacturer is not liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from the use of this product.
The operator is responsible for the correct installation, commissioning and safe operation of this
product.
These products are warranted according to the current product information and the manufacturer's
terms of sale and delivery.
The manufacturer reserves the right to change the contents of the documents, including this
disclaimer, in any way and without notice. The manufacturer is not liable in any way for any
consequences of such changes.
Warranty
The warranty for the products described in this manual is limited to defects in material and
workmanship. Warranty does in no case exceed product replacement free of charge. All claims are
null and void in the case of improper use:
Use outside operating limits
Damage caused by pressure surges (see also " predictable risks)
Corrosion damage caused by operation with gases which were not intended for this
purpose at the origin, as well as by external influences.
Mechanical damage in general
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Vögtlin Instruments GmbH
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Predictable Risks
Before commissioning the system, the operator must take appropriate precautions to ensure that
the environment and/or persons are protected in the event of a fault.
The safe operation of the measuring instruments must be taken into account in advance in the
safety analysis.
Leakage of the variable area flow meters can result in the following risks
- Escaping gas can be suffocating, toxic and/or corrosive. Please read the safety data sheet
of the used gas or gas mixture from the respective gas supplier carefully beforehand.
- When flammable gases escape, an explosive gas mixture can form in the environment.
- In the case of aggressive media, leakage can lead to corrosion damage to the device
and/or in the immediate vicinity.
The following causes can lead to gas leakage:
- Solenoid valves are used upstream or downstream of the flow meter. When opened
quickly, the float in the measuring glass shoots upwards and can lead to glass breakage.
Please observe the recommendations under "Commissioning" when using solenoid valves.
- The maximum permissible operating pressure is exceeded. Take appropriate measures to
ensure that the specified maximum pressure can never be exceeded
- The process connections are not tight due to improper installation. A leak test must be
carried out before commissioning.
- The measuring instrument leaks because it is operated with a gas which was not intended
for this purpose at the origin. As a result, gas may leak if the gaskets are not resistant to
this gas.
The possible causes of gas leakage are not conclusive and may have other causes as well.
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Corrosive Gases
The operator is solely responsible for the safe operation of the system and takes precautions to
protect the environment and/or persons in the event of leaks.
The instrument may only be operated with the gases for which the instrument has been designed
and specified.
Sealing materials for corrosive gases
The manufacturer shall propose the sealing material suitable for the specified gas. The data on
resistance are taken from the literature of our suppliers. Therefore, we cannot take liability for the
specified sealing material.
Operation with ozone gas (O3)
The durability of the sealing material depends strongly on the operating conditions.
In ozone applications, concentration, humidity and temperature have a decisive influence on the
resistance of the sealing material used.
Vögtlin Instruments only supplies a device for O3 if the customer/plant operator himself determines
the sealing material.
The same applies to unknown media and gas mixtures.
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Information on the type plate
The type plate on the Q-Flow is located on the back of the carrier plate and must not be removed.
Example:
Key:
SN: Serial number
BE: Order number or subject of the customer
05/17 Date of manufacture, month/year
Typ: Specification according to type code (standard devices only)1
Medium, measuring range, unit, pressure, temperature & additional information
1Devices which are delivered according to customer-specific design are given a seven-digit article
number (e.g. 137-1215) instead of the type code.
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Operating principle of the variable area flowmeter
The measuring instrument works according to the float measuring principle
The measuring unit consists of a tapered graduated precision glass measuring cylinder in which a
ball float can move freely up and down. The medium flows through the vertically-aligned measuring
cylinder from the bottom upwards
The float positions itself so that the buoyancy force Aacting on it, the form resistance Wand its
weight Gare in balance:
G = A + W
The flow rate can be read as the height of the float on a scale on the tapered measuring cylinder.
The value is read off at the middle of the float (largest diameter).
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Construction of the variable area flow meter Q-Flow
Technical Information
Technical data Q-Flow
Subject Q-Flow 80 Q-Flow 140
Turndown ratio (min. / max.) ca. 1:10 ca. 1:10
Accuracy in % of full scale ± 5 % ± 5 %
Measuring tube length 80 mm 140 mm
Scale length 65 mm 120 mm
Float spherical spherical
Pressure resistance 10 bar 10 bar
Max. pressure drop 100°C 100°C
Min. temperature 0°C 0°C
Mounting plate with rear
mounting holes
Valve
Plexiglass splinter protection
Output Process connection
Input Process connection
Float
Measuring tube
Mounting position vert
ical
Flow direction from bottom to top
Note minimum temperature: At a gas temperature < 0°C, the outside of the measuring tube may mist up with ice
and thus make reading more difficult.
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Wetted Materials Q-Flow
Component Material Standard Material optional
Top and base body Anodized aluminum SS 1.4305 (AISI 303)
Mounting plate Anodized aluminum
Measuring cylinder Borosilicate glass
Connections SS 1.4305 (AISI 303)
Float SS 316 L / Glass / Ceramic
Valve Nickel-plated brass SS 1.4305 (AISI 303)
Seals FKM EPDM / FFKM
Front cover / Splinter protection Makrolon
Shock absorbing limit stop SS 1.4305 (AISI 303) / PTFE
Setups Q-Flow
(Process connection on the back side)
With valve With valve Without valve
at inlet at outlet
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Variants of the valve rotary knobs
Standard rotary knob
Rotary knob with locking ring
Hexagon socket with lock nut (instead of rotary knob)
Union nut / Check nut AF 13
Hexagon socket 3 mm
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Measuring ranges air
Technical specifications and/or dimensions are subject to change without notice.
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Notes on the configuration and specification of variable area flowmeters
When designing variable area flowmeters, misunderstandings often occur and,
consequently, misuse in practice. We would be grateful if you would take a few minutes to
read these instructions and complete the specification sheet.
Pressure and temperature dependence
Variable area flowmeters are highly dependent on the temperature and pressure in the
measuring tube. So that we can design the "right" device for you, we need additional
information from you.
Please select the appropriate installation situation 1-8 for your application from the
following pages.
Pressure conditions
For flow meters with integrated control valve, we need the differential pressure via the
control valve so that the correct valve size (KV value) can be selected. Furthermore, the
pressure in the measuring tube is decisive for a correct display.
Control valve at input (see installation situations 3+4)
The most common application is operating mode 3. On the output side there is no or only
a low back pressure (e.g. gassing of an open vessel or the influence of the pipeline). In
this case, we determine 1 bar abs (ambient pressure) in the measuring tube. Even if the
upstream pressure at the pressure reducer is now changed, the same flow can be
expected at the same scale height.
Control valve at outlet (see installation situations 5 to 7)
In the following operating modes, the valves are set to the output:
Processes with changing back pressure. Here we recommend that you set the
upstream pressure to at least twice the back pressure. This guarantees a constant
flow even with unstable back pressure. However, it is important that the set
pressure corresponds to the pressure marked on the scale or the pressure defined
in the chart.
During suction operation, ambient air is sucked through the flow controller with a
vacuum pump. (e.g. for air samplers) The inlet is open to atmosphere. In this case
we take 1 bar abs as a basis.
Reference pressure and reference temperature
The volume indicated on the scale or in the chart always refers to 0°C and 1013 mbar abs
(according to DIN 1343).
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Installation situations of variable area flowmeters
Without control valve
With control valve at the inlet
Output to environment
(unpressurized)
Output with back pressure (constant)
Back pressure.........bar g
1
2
4
Inlet pressure
……...bar g
The flow is generated by setting a certain
pressure at the pressure reducer.
The flow is generated by setting a certain
pressure at the pressure reducer.
3
Output with back pressure (constant)
Back pressure.........bar g
Output to environment
(unpressurized)
Inlet pressure
…
…..
.bar
g
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With control valve at outlet
I cannot assign my measuring task to any situation
Please sketch here
7
5
6
Output with back pressure (variable)
Back pressure
………..to………..bar g
Inlet pressure
……...bar g
Inlet pressure
……...bar g
Performance vacuum pump
…….mbar negative pressure at ……ln/min
Environment input
(suction mode)
Performance vacuum pump
…….mbar negative pressure at ……ln/min
8
Vacuum pump
Vacuum pump
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Installation and commissioning
Installation instructions
The flowmeters may only be installed and commissioned by qualified personnel.
The pipeline must be free of particles and moisture before installation of the measuring
instrument. Please flush it before mounting the instrument in the pipe.
The variable area flow meter must be installed vertically.
oThe direction of flow is from bottom to top.
The measuring instrument must be mounted free of tension. Please use the provided mounting
holes from bottom to top.
The process connections must not be sealed with sealing tape or liquid sealant. Residues can
get into the device and lead to malfunctions.
(See also Recommended Connections section)
Before commissioning, the connections and the measuring device must be checked for leaks.
Instructions for commissioning
The operating limits must not be exceeded
(See section Technical Information)
Connect the control valve to the flow meter or other control element
Open the media supply
Slowly open the control valve and set the required set value
(See also section Operating principle of the variable area flow meter)
If the use of solenoid valves cannot be avoided, we recommend keeping the pressure upstream
of the measuring tube / needle valve as low as possible. This will reduce the risk of glass
breakage caused by the float shooting up due to a pressure shock.
Recommended connections
We recommend that you only use process connections that seal with an O-ring or a suitable
sealing ring. For example:
Compression fitting for metal tubing
Hose push-in connectors
for hose
Hose nozzles for soft hose
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Disassembly and maintenance
Important instructions
Please close the gas supply, flush the pipes and then close any shut-off valves. Make sure
that the line is depressurized and that no dangerous gas can enter the environment. You
can then start removing the meter. Only use suitable tools for this purpose. The removal
and installation of the measuring instruments may only be carried out by qualified
personnel.
Disassembly variable area flowmeter Q-Flow
Remove the Plexiglas cover (1) from the instrument
Unscrew the valve (2) using an open-end wrench and remove it carefully from the
instrument with a twisting motion
Unscrew the cap screw (3) (hexagon socket, key size 4 mm)
Pull the instrument off the mounting plate
oThe mounting plate can remain connected to the pipeline and does not need to be
removed.
Replace the new or repaired fitting and assemble the device in reverse order.
Please carry out a leak test after completion of the installation and only start up the system
if no leak has been detected.
1
2
3
4
5
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Panel mounting Q-Flow
For mounting, the panel opening must be prepared according to the diagram.
Screw the two mounting brackets onto the instrument as shown.
Screw the setscrew supplied into the connector and insert the instrument into the aperture from
the front.
From the other side, hang the connectors in the openings of the mounting brackets.
The instrument can be secured by careful tightening of the setscrews.
Panel aperture: Mounting-Kit:
Dimensions in mm
Typ
Mass D
Q-Flow 80 129.3
Q-Flow 140 189.3
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