Often, customers come to us looking for a gas flow management system to fit a very particular set of criteria. In some cases, this requires just minor customization of a current Environics model. In other cases, a completely unique design is required. Today, I share with you one interesting example. Although I focus on the first system we designed, we have since made similar systems for other customers whose needs parallel these.
Our customer needed to dilute explosive gases at high concentrations in order to calibrate gas detectors. After working with our sales and engineering teams, we designed and built a modified version of our Series 4040 gas dilution system which included a dual chassis design.
The electronics enclosure includes the power supply and PC boards for controlling the Mass Flow Controllers (MFC) and direct acting solenoid valves in the second enclosure. The electronics enclosure connects to a computer via a 9 pin serial port connector and cable. The 4040 software, on the computer, communicates with the microcomputer board inside the electronics enclosure.
The second enclosure is sealed and houses the MFCs, valves and components to support the enclosure purge. A continuous purge flows through the enclosure while it is running. This serves two purposes. The first is to carry out heat built up by the internal components. The second is to dilute any potential leaks that may develop. The gas plumbing inside this enclosure was vacuum leak tested to 1X10-8 ATM CC/SEC He.
In addition to continuous purge flow, the enclosure is pressurized to approximately 5” H20 while running the enclosure purge. This provides and indicator that the purge is activated as well as preventing any air leaks into the enclosure from outside. A safety vent was added to vent the enclosure to atmosphere if the pressure inside the enclosure reaches 20” H20. This could happen if for some reason the purge vent becomes blocked or the pressure on the purge rotameter is too high.
The two enclosures are connected electrically via two control cables labeled MFCs and VALVES. An earth ground wire is connected from the electronics chassis to the aluminum mounting plate inside the purged enclosure. This safely discharges any static electricity that can build up in a system with flow.
Have a similar need? You can contact us at (860) 872-1111 or here for more information.
