MilliGascounter MGC-1 V3.4 PVC (red)

Description

MilliGascounter MGC-1 V3.4 PVC (red)

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Features

• Minimum flow rate 1 ml/h
• Maximum flow rate 1 ltr/h
• Resolution 3 ml
• Accuracy ±3 % of reading across full flow rate range; in combination with »RIGAMO « software better than ±1 %
• Use with inert and medium corrosive gases (biogas) as well as highly aggressive gases
• Materials: Plexiglas (PMMA), PVDF, PVC (red)
• digital counter with programmed calibration factor
• battery operated; battery life-time 3-4 years
• low-maintenance

Application

RITTER MilliGascounters ⁽¹⁾ (MGC) are designed for the volumetric measurement of the smallest amounts of gas with ultra-low flow rates. They are suitable for measurement of all inert, slightly corrosive gases such as biogas (PMMA model) and aggressive gases (PVDF model). Furthermore, MilliGascounters can be used for volumetric leak detection.

(1)   Developed at the University of Applied Sciences Hamburg, Prof. Dr. Paul A. Scherer

Advantages

• Individual volumetric calibration of each MilliGascounter traceable to the German National Primary Standard (PTB)
• Total gas production measured (instead of Methane only)
• Head space volume of fermentation bottle at measurement start (= air) not erroneously measured as pure methane volume
• No false readings due to CO2 absorption by combination of acidulated packing liquid and software correction

Measurement Priciple with Schematic

The gas to be measured flows in via the gas inlet nozzle (3), through the micro capillary tube (9) located at the base of the MilliGascounter and up into the liquid casing which is filled with a packing liquid (12).

The gas rises as small gas bubbles through the packing liquid, up and into the measurement cell (13). The measurement cell consists of two measuring chambers, which are filled alternatingly by the rising gas bubbles. When a measuring chamber is filled, the buoyancy of the filled chamber causes the measurement cell to abruptly tip over into such a position that the second measuring chamber begins to fill and the first empties.

The measurement of gas volume therefore occurs in discrete steps by counting the tilts of the measurement cell (13) with a resolution of approximately 3 ml (= content of one measuring chamber, please refer to Point 3.2 of the MGC Manual). This »residual error (= max. 3 ml) caused by the resolution should be taken into account when estimating/calculating the total measurement error.

The tilting procedure of the measurement cell creates by the permanent magnet (11) on top of the cell and one of the two magnetic sensors (reed contacts) (10) a pulse which is registered by the counter unit (1).

The switching pulses of a second reed contact can be obtained via the signal output socket (2). (please refer to Point 4.3 of the MGC Manual).

The measured gas exhausts through the gas outlet nozzle (4).

Legend

Measuring-Range

The minimum flow rate is theoretically zero ltr/h as there are no mechanical limitations with the MilliGascounter which would define a minimum flow. However, at such micro flow rates there are external influences becoming evident: temperature and pressure variation, tightness of the hose connection, permeability of the gas inlet hose. Therefore, the minimum flow rate was defined as 1 ml/h. The maximum flow rate is 1.0 ltr/h.

Accuracy

Because of the physical measurement principle, the measurement error is dependent on the flow rate and it rates ±3% across the full flow rate range. Each MGC is individually calibrated at the standard flow rate of 0.5 ltr/h so that the measurement error is approx. 0% at this flow rate. At minimum flow rate the measurement error is approximately +3%, at maximum flow rate approximately -3%. The »RIGAMO« software (available as accessory) provides an algorithm which automatically recalculates the actual measurement data into the real volume at the respective actual flow rate on the basis of the calibration curve. The remaining error is smaller than ±1% across the full flow rate range.

Performance Data

·

Minimum flow Qmin	1	ml
Maximum flow Qmax	1	ltr/h
Measurement accuracy (1)	±3 | ±1	%
Measuring drum volume, approx (2)	3	ml
Min. measuring volume (resolution) (3)	3	ml
Packing liquid quantity, approx	120	ml
Diameter	98	mm
Height	109	mm
Weight	450 to 600	g

Maximum gas inlet pressure	100	mbar
Minimum gas inlet pressure	8	mbar
Gas inlet pressure at start of measurement (5)	9	mbar
Gas Temperature (4)	10 to 60 / 80 / 40	°C
Minimum dial division (6)	0.01	ml
Maximum indication value (6)	999,999.99	ml
Connection gas in/outlet	PVDF screw-type tube connection
Outside-Ø	6	mm
Inside-Ø	4	mm

• ⁽¹⁾ Because of the physical measurement principle, the measurement error is dependent on the flow rate. The data acquisition software »RIGAMO« (accessory) provides an algorithm, which auto- matically recalculates the actual measurement data to the real values at the respective actual flow rate on the basis of the calibration curve. Thus, the remaining error can be reduced significantly or the flow rate range can be extended at the constant measurement error of ±3%. The remaining error is better than approx. ±1% across the full flow rate range.
• ⁽²⁾ = Nominal value; exact value will be determined by individual calibration
• ⁽³⁾ = Volume of measuring chamber
• ⁽⁴⁾ For complete MGC unit applies: With temperatures > room temperature (e.g. if placed in heating furnace) a foam formation of the packing liquid was monitored in particular cases.
• ⁽⁵⁾ The minimum gas inlet may be increased if the measurement starts with a high flow rate. In this case a higher pressure is needed until the micro capillary in the base plate is clear of packing liquid.
• ⁽⁶⁾ Because of calibration factor with 2 decimals

Display, Signal Output

The volume of the measured gas is displayed on the electronic digital display located on top of the MGC casing. Additionally a floating reed contact can be used as a signal output.

Data Acquisition with PC

For data acquisition of gas volume and flow rate the Windows software »RIGAMO « is available. The data of up to 24 Ritter gas meters can be transmitted to the USB port of a PC.