8
Pressure & Flow
All electrochemical oxygen sensors respond to partial pressure changes in oxygen. The inlet pressure must always
be higher than the pressure at the outlet vent which is normally at atmospheric pressure.
Flow Through Configuration:
The sensor is exposed to sample gas that must flow or be drawn through
metal tubing inside the transmitter. The GPR-2500/2500MO internal
sample system includes 1/8” compression tube inlet and vent fittings, a
stainless steel sensor housing with an o-ring seal to prevent the leakage
of air and stainless steel tubing.
Flow rates of 1-5 SCFH cause no appreciable change in the oxygen
reading. However, flow rates above 5 SCFH generate backpressure and
erroneous oxygen readings because the diameter of the integral tubing
cannot evacuate the sample gas at the higher flow rate. The direction the
sample gas flows is not important, thus either tube fitting can serve as the
inlet or vent – just not simultaneously.
A flow indicator with an integral metering valve upstream of the sensor is
recommended as a means of controlling the flow rate of the sample gas.
A flow rate of 2 SCFH or 1 liter per minute is recommended for optimum
performance.
Caution: Do not place your finger over the vent (it pressurizes the
sensor) to test the flow indicator when gas is flowing to the sensor.
Removing your finger (the restriction) generates a vacuum on the sensor
and may damage the sensor (voiding the sensor warranty).
To avoid generating a vacuum on the sensor (as described above) during operation, always select and install the
vent fitting first and remove the vent fitting last.
Application Pressure - Positive:
A flow indicator with integral metering valve (GPR-2500/2500MO option) positioned upstream of
the sensor is recommended for controlling the sample flow rate between 1-5 SCFH. To reduce the
possibility of leakage for low ppm measurements, position a metering needle valve upstream of
the sensor to control the flow rate and position a flow indicator downstream of the sensor.
If necessary, a pressure regulator (with a metallic diaphragm is recommended for optimum
accuracy, the use of diaphragms of more permeable materials may result in erroneous readings)
upstream of the flow control valve should be used to regulate the inlet pressure between 5-30
psig.
Application Pressure - Atmospheric or Slightly Negative:
For accurate ppm range oxygen measurements, an optional external sampling pump should be positioned
downstream of the sensor to draw the sample from the process, by the sensor and out to atmosphere. A flow
meter is generally not necessary to obtain the recommended flow rate with most sampling pumps.
Caution: If the transmitter is equipped with an optional flow indicator with integral metering valve or a metering
flow control valve upstream of the sensor - open the metering valve completely to avoid drawing a vacuum on the
sensor and placing an undue burden on the pump.
If pump loading is a consideration, a second throttle valve on the pump’s inlet side may be necessary to provide a
bypass path so the sample flow rate is within the above parameters.