Setting Flows for the PFPD
1. Turn off the detector base heater, all
detector gases, and the detector controller.
2. Allow the detector to cool and close the
needle valve.
3. Install the barbed flow adapter in place of
the flame arrestor.
3. Measure the column flow. It should be
<2 mL/minute for optimum performance.
4. Open needle valve four turns.
Measure flows with a flow meter. DO NOT
use the set point on the EPC.
5. Add 11.5 mL/minute H2. Be sure to add the
column flow.
6. Add 10 mL/minute of Air 1.
7. Add 10 mL/minute of Air 2 (makeup).
8. Re-install the flame arrestor and turn on the
detector heater. Set it to 250 °C for sulfur
or 300 °C for phosphorus.
9. When the detector temperature reaches
100 °–150 °C, turn on the controller. Pulsing
should start within a few seconds.
10. Record the initial settings.
Tuning the PFPD
1. Confirm installation of the blue, BG-12 filter or the clear, UV-34 filter.
2. Introduce a constant sulfur source for tuning (e.g., a permeation device, PN 290411).
OI Analytical recommends tuning the gas flows using a sulfur emission, regardless of
the application.
3. After the sulfur equilibrates and the sulfur emission is on scale, click Hold in PulseView
Monitor.
4. Adjust H2flow up or down with approximately 1 mL/minute adjustments until the
sulfur emission extends to 25 msec (if using a 3-mm combustor, the emission only
extends to 18–20 msec). See the Model 5383 PFPD Operator’s Manual for more
information.
5. Use Air 2 (makeup) to adjust frequency to between 2.5-4.0 Hz. Re-adjust H2/Air 1 ratio
as necessary.
6. Slowly close the needle valve by turning it clockwise until the PFPD goes into tick-tock
mode.
7. Open the needle valve by turning it counterclockwise until the PFPD is out of tick-tock
mode, then open another ½- to ¾-turn. Attaining tick-tock mode is sometimes not
possible. In that case, just open the needle valve four turns.
8. Record the final settings.
9. For phosphorus applications, install the yellow RG-495 filter and increase Air 1 by
1 mL/minute.
10. Adjust the gate and board parameters for the chosen application.
Suggested Board Parameters
PMT voltage Set PMT Voltage to 500 V. Monitor
emission, adjust PMT voltage
setting to adjust until the first
sharp emission (at about 0.5 ms)
to ~900,000 counts. The PMT
voltage can vary depending on the
application.
Igniter current 2.8
Trigger level 75000 (initially), adjust to mid span.
For most sulfur applications:
*See the Model 5383 PFPD Operator’s Manual Appendix
B for instructions on how to properly set the zero offset
and multiplier for each channel.
Suggested Gate Parameters
* These settings are suggested starting points for adjusting the gates. Adjust-
ing the gate start time to eliminate the background HC emission may be
necessary. This is especially important for phosphorus applications. Use
the dual gate subtraction feature for matrices with high sulfur backgrounds
(e.g., garlic, onion, etc.). See Chapter 5 in the Model 5383 PFPD Operator’s
Manual and application note 1127 at www.oico.com for details.
For more information contact OI Analytical Technical Support at
(800) 336-1911 for assistance.
Element Gate Square Root
Sulfur 6–24 msec On
Carbon 1–3 msec Off
Phosphorus* 4–15 msec Off
Parameter Channel 1 Channel 2
Mode Sulfur Carbon
Interpolation Spline Spline
Multiplier 32 1
Output zero <100* <10,000*
Model 5383 PFPD Quick Reference Guide
Have any questions? Call us and let us
help! (800) 336-1911
