MARKES MCS06, MCS08 Operators Manual

Air Server & Multi

Channel Samplers

(MCS06 & MCS08)

Operators Manual

AUGUST 2006

QUI-0004

V

ERSION 6.1

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Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction to the Air Server Accessory
for UNITY. 7

1.1 Summary of Operation 7

2.0 Installation of the Air Server accessory onto
UNITY 10

2.1 Unpacking procedure 10

2.2 Packing list for Air Server (U-AIRSV) 10

3.0 Installation 11

3.1 Tools required 12

3.2 Pneumatic connections 12

3.2.1 Installation of PEEK link tube assembly 12

3.2.2 Connection of the Mass Flow Controller 14

3.2.3 Connecting UNITY(e) to Air Server Link tube (SERASU-5021)
when no dryer is fitted: 15

3.2.4 Requirement for sample pump (U-ASPMP1 / U-ASPMP2) 16

3.2.5 Sample line connection 17

3.3 Electrical and PC connections 17

3.4 Configuring the pump (optional) 17

3.5 Configuring the dryer (optional) 17

3.6 Installing the UNITY(e) to Air Server Link tube in
UNITY(e) 19

3.7 Loading system software 20

3.8 Disconnecting Air Server in order to run tube based
methods 22

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4.0 Developing a UNITY-Air Server method for
whole air / gas analysis 23

4.1 UNITY-Air Server method 23

4.2 Setting the carrier gas type 24

4.3 Parameters for on-line mode methods 24

4.4 On-line methods 28

5.0 Automatic sequencing of whole-air / gas
analyses 28

5.1 Performing analyses 28

5.1.1 Using the sequence builder and creating sequences of runs 28

5.2 Setting up your first sequence 30

5.3 Running the sequence 33

5.4 Starting at a predefined date and time 34

5.5 Stopping a sequence 34

6.0 Using the Air Server with an U

LTRA-UNITY system 35

6.1 Installation of the ULTRA-UNITY-Air Server system 35

6.2 Running Air Server Methods 36

6.2.1 Configuration changes 36

6.2.2 Pneumatics set up 37

6.3 Running ULTRA methods 37

6.3.1 Configuration changes 38

6.3.2 Pneumatics set up 38

Appendix 1. Multi-channel samplers MCS06 and
MCS08 40

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A1.2 Attaching the (optional) in-line dryer 41

A1.3 Identifying connections on the back panel 42

A1.4 Configuring the MITD software for the MCS variants
of Air Server 43

Table of Figures

Figure 1. UNITY-Air Server 7
Figure 2. Standby Mode 9
Figure 3. Bulkhead connector located at the rear of UNITY(e) with uncut

PEEK tubing fed through. 13
Figure 4. Air Server connections to the front of UNITY(e) 13
Figure 5. Connections on the back of the Air Server Unit. 15
Figure 6. Air Server Link tube - connecting UNITY(e) and Air Server 16
Figure 7. Mounting bracket attached to the back panel of the Air Server 18
Figure 8. Mounting bracket attached to the back panel of the Air Server

(opposite view) 19
Figure 9. Pneumatics configured for Air Server operation (with T-piece on

split vent and union on desorb vent) 22
Figure 10. Pneumatics configured for running tube based methods (with

straight through union on split vent). Air Server acts as a mass flow
controller for the split flows. 23

Figure 11. On-line Air Method Screen 24
Figure 12. Pressure release settings within the Options menu 26
Figure 13. UNITY-Air Server status bar 27
Figure 14. Right clicking within the Sequence Builder section of the

Automation Window brings up the contextual menu shown 29
Figure 15. Add New Set dialogue box before (left) and after (right) editing. 30
Figure 16. Sequence created using the set defined in Figure 13 32
Figure 17. Sequence Reporter during a run 33
Figure 18. Options Reporting tab. 34
Figure 19. Air Server connections to U

LTRA (see also ULTRA Operators

Manual) 35
Figure 20. U

LTRA to Air Server connections 36

Figure 21. Configuration for Air Server methods 37
Figure 22. UNITY pneumatics connections for running Air Server methods 37

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Figure 23. Configuration set up for running ULTRA methods 38
Figure 24. UNITY pneumatic connection when running tube methods via

U

LTRA 39

Figure 25. MCS06 and Air Server 40
Figure 26. Sample and pneumatic interface ports on a Multi Channel Sampler

(from above) 41
Figure 27. Dryer (and interface tube) installed on Multi Channel Sampler 42
Figure 28. Multi Channel Sampler back panel 42
Figure 29. Configuration tab 43

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The main section of this operators manual refers to the Air Server accessory. The
Multi-Channel Samplers (MCS06/08) are detailed in Appendix One.

1.0 Introduction to the Air Server Accessory for UNITY.

The UNITY Thermal Desorber normally requires sample introduction by means of
a standard sample tube. This could be a sorbent tube (used for diffusive or
pumped sampling) or an empty tube into which solid or liquid samples are
weighed for direct desorption. The Air Server accessory connects to UNITY (Figure

1) and extends the compatible sample range to include whole air / gas samples ­e.g. continuous monitoring of air / gas streams or samples collected in whole-air
containers such as canisters or Tedlar bags.

Tubes can still be desorbed using a UNITY configured with the Air Server
accessory.

Figure 1. UNITY-Air Server

The Air Server contains an electronic mass flow controller, appropriate inert
switching valves and link tubing to interface the accessory to UNITY. The Air
Server is controlled via an extended version of UNITY software. It features
selection between three inlet ports as standard, using inert, PTFE-body solenoids,
and is compatible with gas-phase samples ranging in pressure from sub­atmospheric to 50 psig. The three ports are commonly used for sample, calibrant
and zero gas streams, but could just as easily be used for three different samples.

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1.1 Summary of Operation

The gas stream selected is directed out of the Air Server accessory (via the dryer

- if one is fitted) and into the UNITY cold trap via the Link tube. During this
‘sampling phase’, UNITY’s cold trap is electrically cooled and volatiles from
acetylene to n-C

14

can be quantitatively sampled and retained. The sample /

standard gas, once stripped of its target VOCs, exits through the desorb flow vent
and is directed to the ‘flow in’ port of the electronic mass flow controller on the
Air Server. It is not possible to split during sampling. Set and actual sampling
flows are displayed via the UNITY software.

If the sample / standard gas is pressurised (>10 psi), the flow through the entire
UNITY-Air Server system is driven by this pressure. However if the sample is at
low (<10 psi), atmospheric or just below atmospheric pressure, a pump (U-ASPM1
/ U-ASPM2) is required to ‘pull’ the gas-phase sample through the system.

Figure 2. shows the UNITY-Air Server system in standby mode.
Note that the flow controller and the optional pump are located downstream of the

cold trap and thus do not come into contact with the sample prior to trapping.
At the end of sampling and after a purge of carrier gas to eliminate air from the

trap, the UNITY focusing trap heats in the normal way, transferring compounds of
interest to the analytical system and triggering the measurement cycle. The
outlet split at this point may be entered in the software and is controlled by the
mass flow controller. Collection of the next sample can begin, if required, as soon
as the cold trap has re-equilibrated at its trapping temperature.

The UNITY-Air Server sequence of operation is as follows:

Standby
Leak test (optional)
Pressure release
Pre-purge
Sampling
Line purge
Trap purge
Trap fire

Further information is given in Section 5.3

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Figure 2. Standby Mode

Key Air Server applications include: -

• Continuous on-line measurement of C

2

to C10hydrocarbons in ambient air using

UNITY-Air Server with GC-FID

• Process monitoring of trace level volatiles in CO

2

using UNITY-Air Server with

process MS

• Process monitoring of aroma during food and beverage production using UNITY­Air Server combined with electronic nose technology

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2.0 Installation of the Air Server accessory onto UNITY

Note that if the Air Server has been ordered as part of a complete UNITY-Air
Server package it is best to complete the UNITY installation first as described in
Section 4 of this manual. Instructions for installing Air Server onto an existing
UNITY should then be followed (see below).

2.1 Unpacking procedure

Remove the contents from the Air Server shipping box and associated pump and
dryer accessories as appropriate. Inspect and check every item against the
packing lists below.

2.2 Packing list for Air Server (U-AIRSV)

* These items constitute the connection kit for the UNITY(e) ‘FLOW OUT’ vents
(desorb and split) to the Mass Flow controller ‘FLOW IN’ port on the Air Server.

Part number Description Quantity

U-AIRSV Air Server 1

Documentation pack containing:

Operators manual (QUI-0004)
Installation engineer feedback form
Brochure pack
Certificate of Conformity

1

SERASU-5021 Air Server Interface Link Tube Assy (passed by Test

with unit)

1

SERZ-0026 Union brass 1/8” x 1/8” 1

SERZ-0024 Mains cable Type: ____________ 1

U-FV003* Pk 10 Ferrule 1/8” x 1/16” (Graphitised vespel)

4

/10

SERZ-0049* Union brass bulkhead 1/8” 1

SERZ-0062 Tubing PTFE 1/8” 3 m

SERZ-0104* Union brass 1/8” tee 1

SERZ-0108* Tube PEEK 1/16” OD x 0.03” bore 1.5 m

SERZ-0108* Tube PEEK 1/16” OD x 0.03” bore 0.13 m

SERZ-0189 PC Cable 1

U-SW001 Software CD 1

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2.3 Packing list for pump

(Optional - Required where the gas or air sample is below 10 psi)

2.4 Packing list for dryer

(Optional - Required for monitoring ultra-volatile compounds in humid
atmospheres)

Note that the Air Server Nafion dryer requires a pressure regulated (~15 psi)
supply of around 200 ml/min dry gas (air or nitrogen) with a dew point below

-35°C (as required for UNITY).

Note also that appropriate fittings will be required to connect the regulated dry
gas supply to the 1/8” PTFE Air Inlet tubing provided.

3.0 Installation

Note: It is strongly recommended that the installation of the Air Server is carried

out by a qualified (fully trained) engineer.
If the Air Server has been purchased as part of a complete UNITY-Air Server

system it is recommended that the UNITY(e) system is installed and tested first
(see UNITY Operators Manual Section Section 4.0). After successful completion
of the UNITY system the Air Server should be installed as detailed below.

The Air Server must sit to the immediate left of UNITY(e) (as you look at the
system from the front), see Figure 1. At least 15 cm of free bench space is

Part number Description Quantity

SERASU-5023 Nafion Dryer Assembly 1

SERZ-0036 PTFE tubing 1/8” (for Air inlet) 2 m

Part number Description Quantity

U-ASPMP1

or

U-ASPMP2

Pump 115V

or

Pump 230V

1

SERASU-5025 Copper Tube Adaptor 1

SERZ-0206 Tubing Silicone Rubber x 500 mm 2

SERZ-0207 Pump Power Cord (connects to Air Server) 1

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required in addition to that required for UNITY(e) itself.

Note: the UNITY(e) Thermal Desorber must be switched off before installing

the Air Server accessory.

3.1 Tools required

To complete the installation you will need the following tools:

• 7/16” wrench / spanner

• 5/16” wrench / spanner

• Small posidrive screwdriver (required for the optional dryer only)

3.2 Pneumatic connections

3.2.1 Installation of PEEK link tube assembly

The installation procedure for this item is as follows:

• Ensure UNITY(e) is switched off.

• Turn off the supplies of carrier gas and air to UNITY(e).

• Disconnect the carrier gas and air supplies from the top back panel of

UNITY(e).

• Undo the black plastic knob on the top back UNITY(e) panel and carefully

slide back the top, rear painted cover. Take care not to put any strain on the
transfer line connection.

• Install the bulkhead connector into the slot on the inner, back top plate of

UNITY(e) (Figure 3).

• Working from the front, thread the long length of 1/16” PEEK tubing through

the conduit located to the right between the analyser and base (see Figure

4) out of the back and up and through the bulkhead connector shown in
Figure 3.

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Figure 3. Bulkhead connector located at the rear of UNITY(e) with uncut PEEK

tubing fed through.

Figure 4. Air Server connections to the front of UNITY(e)

Note: It is not necessary to cut the long length of PEEK tubing, (just pass it

1/8”-1/8” union

1/8” T

1/16” PEEK tubing fed
to rear of UNITY(e)
through conduit here

Bulkhead connector

Uncut PEEK tubing
fed through bulkhead
connector

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