Danet Vrazel - KIN-TEK Analytical, Inc.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What information is needed to request a quotation or place an order for a Permeation Tube?

Compound / CAS#
Concentration (ppmv)
Minimum Flow Rate (sccm)

How do I calculate the concentration I need when using a disposable tube?

For a KIN-TEK disposable tube, use the following formula for concentration in ppmv:

C = (E * K_o) / F

Where:

C = desired concentration in ppmv.
E = certified emission rate (ng/min) as reported on
your tube certificate.
K_o = value that corresponds to the compound-specific
K_o on your tube certificate.
F = rate of dilution flow you are using (cc/min)

How do I calculate the concentration I need when using a refillable tube?

For a KIN-TEK refillable tube, use the following formula for concentration in ppmv:

C = E / F

Where:

C = desired concentration in ppmv.
E = certified emission rate (nl/min) as reported on
your tube certificate.
F = rate of dilution flow you are using (cc/min).

What is STP?

STP is a term that means standard temperature and pressure.

If you are using a KIN-TEK gas standards generator, STP is considered to be 0 °C and 760 mmHg.

If everything is working fine why should I recertify my instrument annually?

Your KIN-TEK instrument has internal components that are traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and may require adjustment or calibration. All components may appear to be working properly; however each year they should be calibrated and recertified to maintain accuracy and traceability.

Your KIN-TEK gas standards generator is a precision calibration instrument that is used for producing a known gas standard for calibration of a gas analyzer or sensor. If your instrument is out of calibration, you may be producing more error than you think, therefore producing false standards.

A KIN-TEK service representative will be happy to issue you a quote to perform the annual recertification at your facility, or you may request a RMA number to return the instrument to KIN-TEK for recertification in our lab.

How do I get rid of my disposable tube?

We suggest that you deplete the tube and then dispose of it.

To completely deplete it, place it in an open container under a fume hood and let it permeate at room temperature until empty. Once empty, you can dispose of it properly.

What is the difference between a certified tube and an uncertified tube?

“Certified” tubes undergo a weight loss certification procedure that determines the emission rate of the tube by the amount of weight in nanograms lost over a given time, usually minutes. Depending on specific tube parameters and emission rate requirements, some tubes may take several weeks to certify.

The KIN-TEK certification procedure is traceable to NIST through temperature parameters and weight balance measurement devices that are directly traceable to NIST.

A “certified” tube comes with a printed certificate detailing the emission rate and the corresponding serial number of the tube. An “uncertified” tube does not get an assigned serial number, does not undergo the certification procedure, and is sold with no certificate.

No records are kept for “uncertified” tubes.

How does changing the operating temperature for a permeation tube affect the emission rate?

If a permeation rate is already known at a given temperature, then for each 10 °C increase in temperature, the emission rate roughly doubles. This is a rough rule of thumb for disposable tubes, and can be highly inaccurate. This rule of thumb is not linear.

Note: This rule generally only applies to disposable tubes and does not apply to refillable tubes.

A good reference for permeation tube information is Gerald D. Mitchell’s paper, “A Review of Permeation Tubes and Permeators,” Separation and Purification Methods, 29(1), 119-128 (2000).

What is the K_o factor that I use in concentration calculations?

The conversion from nl/min to ng/min is easy when using the K_o factor:

K_o = 22.4 / MW

Where:

K_o = desired conversion factor
MW = molecular weight of the pure analyte
Then, E1 = E2 / K_o

Where:

E1 = desired emission rate in ng/min

E2 = emission rate in nl/min

K_o = conversion factor as specified above

Installation & Training

On Site Installation

KIN-TEK now offers installation services on all instruments we manufacture. A representative will visit your site, offer assistance on instrument placement and install instrument components in relation to the nearby analyzer, detector or monitor. Ask to have installation added to your next instrument quote.

On Site Permeation Technology Training

Enhance employee technical skills by learning the permeation tube method of calibrating analyzers with a KIN-TEK gas standards generator. Training is structured to the parameters of your calibration system. Whether you have a single oven instrument, a moisture generator or a large eight-oven system, KIN-TEK will prepare your employees with the technical knowledge for routine multi-point calibrations. Employees will learn the different types of permeation devices, calculations relating to their system, how to produce complex mixtures, troubleshooting techniques, and much more. KIN-TEK provides training to any size group, and scheduling is flexible.

Calibration Consultation Service

Whether or not you purchase KIN-TEK Instrumentation, we can consult you on the best design scenario for analyzer calibration and required equipment. A representative will visit your site, identify application requirements, and consult you on the equipment needed to achieve accurate calibrations. Allow KIN-TEK to build confidence in your analyzer calibrations.

For additional assistance, Contact KIN-TEK Analytical, Inc.

Software Upgrades

The table below lists the latest software upgrades and User’s Manual for various KIN-TEK products.

Generally, the installed firmware version can be obtained from the touchscreen or other display panel of the instrument. Similarly, the version of the computer-hosted (PC) software application can be obtained from the “about” box of the application.

Please check your installed version against the table below. From this list, you should be able to determine whether you need to upgrade your software. If you do not have the latest version, then contact KIN-TEK to determine if you need to upgrade your software.

KIN-TEK recommends that all FlexStream™ instruments be upgraded to Version 3.6 or later.

Item	Product Description	Latest Software Version	User’s Manual Version
1	AutoBlend™ Firmware	2.01	1.0
2	AutoBlend™ Scenario Analyzer Software	1.05	2.1
3	AutoBlend™ Server Software	1.05	2.1
4	AutoBlend™ Remote Access Software	1.1	1.0

5a	FlexStream™ Firmware / Touchscreen HMI5043N	3.1 / 3.0a	2.0
5b	FlexStream™ Firmware / Touchscreen HMI504T	3.1 / 3.0	2.0

6	FlexStream™ Software Upgrade Guide	n/a	1.4
7	FlexStream™ Modbus Driver	1.1	Not released

8	FlexLink™ Software	1.5	1.2

Note: The above table was last updated May 8, 2012.

FlexStream™ Software Upgrade

Please let us know if you would like to upgrade the firmware of the FlexStream™ instrument. We will then send you additional information. Basically, the upgrade process requires a cable kit which we can loan you (or which you can purchase), and a Software Upgrade Guide. Or you can return the FlexStream™ Base module (FlexBase) and KIN-TEK will do the upgrade for free (you pay two-way shipping costs).

Or, if you wish for a KIN-TEK representative to perform the upgrade at your facility, then please contact our Technical Services department.

Quality Control Applications

Quality Control in Military Applications

Problem: A wide range of safety equipment such as gas masks, hazmat suits, etc. are used by military and law enforcement personnel for protection from chemical and biological agents. Effective testing of these materials requires test gas mixtures, bothat toxic levels and safe levels. Toxic levels are used to challenge the safety equipment. Safe levels are used to calibrate analyzers which test for breakthrough.

Solution: KIN-TEK’s FlexStream™ and 491Flex™ gas standards generators are versatile enough to create the required test atmospheres for both toxic and safe levels.

Quality Control in Petrochemical and Refinery Applications

Example Problem: Impurities in polymerization grade Ethylene and propylene.

Ethylene and propylene producers are primarily faced with product concerns. The most common impurities are:

COS	H₂S	Total Sulfurs	Ethylene
Propylene	Arsine	CO	CO₂
Acetylene	Methanol	Other Oxygenates	H₂O

These compounds are monitored both on-line for process control and in the laboratory for product quality. Calibration and routine validation of these systems are primary issues. All of these chemicals are reactive and/or polar, and do not store reliably as static mixtures in cylinders. This makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to know the accuracy of the standards being dispensed by these cylinders.

Solution: KIN-TEK’s FlexStream™ and 491Flex™ Laboratory Standards Generators, and Span Pac™ I Series Industrial Standards Generator provide calibration standards for all these compounds, using KIN-TEK’s Trace Source™ disposable and refillable permeation tubes.

Benefits include:

The standards are generated fresh, eliminating the storage/deterioration problem.
KIN-TEK’s permeation tubes improve the accuracy of the analysis.
Our Gas Standards Generator instrumentation perform single-point span checks or multi-point calibrations with ease.

Learn about Quality Control in the Beverage Industry by visiting our Permi-Blogs

EcoFlex™ Gas Standards Generator

The EcoFlex™ gas standards generator provides:

Modes of Operation: span only
Flow path suitable for reactive gases
Accepts disposable permeation tubes, diffusion tubes, wafer tubes, and prefilled gas fed permeation tubes
Single-oven module can create mixtures with up to 8 components
High mass oven with electronic PID control

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Overview

The EcoFlex™ Permeation System is designed for creating trace concentration gas mixtures. Mixtures are produced by diluting the minuscule flow of vapor emitted by Trace Source™ permeation (or diffusion) tubes with a much larger flow of inert matrix gas, typically nitrogen or zero air. Mixtures contact only suitably inert materials, Teflon®, coated stainless steel, or glass. The EcoFlex™ manual system is built on the same readily transportable platform as the microprocessor controlled FlexStream™ Base Module. The EcoFlex™, however, is a simple, stand-alone, non-expandable, single oven permeation system.

The EcoFlex™ holds the Trace Source™ Permeation Tube(s) at a constant temperature and introduces a small controlled flow of dilution gas over the tube. Pure component compound vapor emitted from the permeation tube(s) mixes with this small flow to form a ‘base’ concentration gas mixture. This base mixture then joins a larger main dilution flow to form the final mixture. The mixture concentration is set by adjusting that main dilution flow.

Permeation tubes of various emission rates are available for over 500 compounds. By choosing a tube suited to the application, mixtures having concentration from low ppb to over 1000 ppm can be generated and the concentration can then be adjusted over a 20:1 range. A single permeation tube, for instance, might be used for concentrations from 1 ppm in 250 cc/min or down to 50 ppb in 5 slpm. Using the mixture immediately after preparation eliminates storage loss.

EcoFlex™ features:

Modes of Operation: span only
Flow path suitable for reactive gases – mixture contacts only glass, Teflon® and stainless steel (other materials available)
Accepts disposable permeation tubes, diffusion tubes, wafer tubes, and prefilled gas fed permeation tubes
Accepts up to 8 disposable tubes with maximum 6 inch length x 1/4 inch diameter (KIN-TEK HRT, SRT and EL tubes), or
Accepts one of KIN-TEK refillable LFH, or Prefilled 57S
High mass oven with electronic PID control
Temperature Control Range: 5 °C above ambient from 30 to 150 °C (heat only)
Temperature Set Point Resolution: 0.1 °C across control range
Temperature Display Resolution: 0.1 °C
Standard Flow Range: 0.25-5.0 standard liters per minute
Flow Control over Calibrated Range: ≤ ±1.5 % of reading
Output Concentration Range: below 1 ppb to over 1000 ppm depending on permeation tube emission rate and dilution flow rate
Power Requirements: Standard: 115 VAC, 2 A
Power Requirements: Optional (specified at time of purchase): 230 VAC, 1 A
Dimensions: 6 inch Width x 13.5 inch Height x 20 inch Depth
Weight: Approximately 27 lbs, shipping 44 lbs

Specifications

EcoFlex™ Specifications

Compare with Other KIN-TEK Modules

Comparison Specification of Modules

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