Elster GmbH
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EnCal 3000 - Hardware Manual
22/02/2018
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2.4
Channel
A channel consists of the following subcomponents:
Analytical Module: This is the heart of the EnCal 3000: it contains the column, sample injector, detector and the
heaters for the columns and the injector
AMI (Analytical Module Interface): electronic circuit which controls the analytical components of the Analytical
Module. It has its own EDS (Electronic Data Sheets) which stores the local configuration parameters
EPC: Electronic Pressure Control for adjusting the pressure of the analytical column
Channel Controller: electronic circuit which controls the communication between AMI and Processor Board, and
also controls the EPC (Electronic Pressure Control) and valves needed for the control of the internal gas flow
circuit.
Both AMI and Channel Controller have their own EDS (Electronic Data Storage) which stores the local configuration pa-
rameters. This enables to swap to channels without a need for reconfiguration, uploading the internal settings is suffi-
cient to fully install a new channel in an existing unit.
The Analytical Module uses different columns for different applications. In the EnCal 3000 two columns are used:
HSA column (HaySep), for the analysis of N
2
, CH
4
, CO
2
and C
2
H
6
5CB column 4m or 8m, for the analysis of the higher hydrocarbons (C
3
H
8
up to C
8
H
18
or up to C
9
H
20
)
For devices build before 2008 the 5CB-4m channel was used for the analysis up to C6+ and the 5CB-8m channel just for
the analysis up to C9. Since 2008 the 5CB-8m becomes used for both options, the main reason for this change is that
the separation of the peaks especially for n-butane and neo-pentane is better for the 8m long column.
Another possible Channel configuration for the special application biogas is:
M5A column (molesieve), 10m long, for the analysis of H
2
, O
2
and N
2
.
PPU column, 10m long, for the analysis of the hydrocarbons (CH
4
up to n-C
4
H
10
) and CO
2
Another possible Channel configuration for the analysis of hydrogen and natural gas is:
•
COX column, 1m long for the components (He), H2, N2, CH4, CO2 and C2H6
•
5CB column, 8m long for the higher hydrocarbons (C3H8 to C9H20)
In the biogas-application for the M5A column, two additional internal humidity filters are required, which are mounted on
the module. These filters are used to reduce humidity to a minimum. Humidity can penetrate by diffusion of air into the
analytical column.
Without the filter, this humidity would reach the analytical module and be absorbed by the column material. Therefore,
the retention times of the measured components would reduce always so that the separation of the measured compo-
nents is deteriorated and a heating up of the column would be required after about 3 months.
With the filters ensures that a heating up of the M5A column is not necessary within a year (calibration cycle). As the
capacity of the attached filter is very low, the filter should be changed with each recalibration. For the carrier gas argon
always an additional external humidity filter should be used.
