Dynamax HPFM3, Installation And Operation Manual, Page: 8 / 86

Revision: JUNE 2017 8
Calibration curves were established relating flow, F, to dP values in the range of 0 to 180 kPa. HPLC capillary tubes up to
0.25 mm ID have linear calibration curves. HPLC capillary tubes 0.3 mm ID or larger are nonlinear because of the transition
from laminar to turbulent flow. All calibrations are performed by Dynamax.
The pressure measurements are made with model PX26-100GV solid-state strain-gauge transducers. The output of the
pressure transducers is logged using a custom-designed, dual channel A/D circuit with 12 bits plus sign accuracy. The
HPFM is supplied with Windows software for controlling the A/D circuits, logging data, and for preliminary data analysis.
The Flow Outlet side of the 8-Way manifold is connected by a 6-foot (1.8 m) length of water-filled 1.5 mm ID Teflon FEP
“Clear” tubing to a compression fitting (CF). This FEP tubing permits connection to the larger size plant or root base with
19-50 mm fittings (HPCC19-35 and HPCC34-50). Additional (1 mm ID) HPLC “Natural” (light tan) tubing is supplied for use
on smaller sized roots and shoots with 1-20 mm fittings (HPCC 1-4, HPCC 4-10 and HPCC 10-20). We also supply 0.127
mm ID ‘RED’ tubing, which is used to assist air bubble removal in the system AND to use for test measurement. This red
tube has the conductance of a small seedling with about 100 to 200 cm2 of leaf area. A range of compression fittings
is supplied to permit connection to stems ranging from 1 to 50 mmOD.
1.2 Personal Computer Requirements
The program that controls the High Pressure Flow Meter is Gen3 is installed under a program file directory, to run the
software use an IBM compatible computer with an 800 x 600 pixel screen or better. The computer must be running on 32-bit
Windows XP/2000/Vista, 64-bit WindowsXP/2000/Vista, or Windows 7. Two USB ports are required, one to communicate
with the usb-2404UT analog converters, and one for the USB “Keylock” USB dongle, provided for access to each customer’s
unique HPFM.
The software is installed from a single CD ROM via an Install Shield Wizard in the same manner as most Windows
software. The install shield Wizard will install the program in:
C:\Program files\Dynamax\HPFM .
There are five distinct parts to software installation, allowing customers to leverage software created independently, by
Microsoft, measurement computing, USB software experts and Dynamax Inc. Installation is covered in detail in Section 4.
1. Install latest Microsoft. NET, if required, the Visual c. frameworks.
2. Install the Dynamax, HPFM.exe, and the graphics drivers, calibration files, initialization files, and example data.
3. Install Keylock, the security key to enforce Dynamax copyright protection.
4. Install measurement computing InstaCal, the analog conervsion utility incorporated into our product.
5. Install USB device drivers, that access and control the USB data converters.
See Section 4, “
HPFM Installation Guide
” for the steps to install the HPFM software:
Dynamax supplys the HPFM with a professional factory calibration traceable to NVLAP calibrate scales and pressure
transducers. The calibration file is included on the software disk under the file name HPFM.ini.
1.3 Pressured Bottle Requirements
Dynamax ships the HPFM-C models with a compressed air tank, regulator, and hose for connection to the
HPFM. This tank can be pressured to 2015 pounds per square inch (PSI) or 13,890 Kilo-Pascal’s (kPa). It has
a volume of 24 cubic feet (Cu. Ft.) or 682 liters. The regulator allows control of pressures up to 1,500 PSI or
10,343 kPa. This air tank or bottle cannot be shipped filled, so you will need to fill the bottle (air tank) with a dry
compressed gas. Economically, two gases are best: Nitrogen or dried compressed air. The compressed air tank
can be filled by University physical plants (they can assist you) or distributors such as Air Liquide, Linde, or BOC Gases.
The setup for running a transitory test requires enough pressure (600 PSI or 4,100 kPa) to deliver a constant flow of gas
to the HPFM. The pressure regulator requires about 700 PSI in the tank to deliver 600 PSI to the HPFM. It must deliver
the gas without “choking” and causing a reducing flow of gas over the time period of the test.