by frank m. gavila f&j specialty products, inc

1

Evaluation of Historical Evaluation of Historical Methods for Determination Methods for Determination

of Total Volumes Collected in of Total Volumes Collected in RETS/REMP Air Monitoring RETS/REMP Air Monitoring Applications with Currently Applications with Currently

Available TechnologyAvailable Technology

By Frank M. GavilaBy Frank M. Gavila

F&J SPECIALTY PRODUCTS, INC.F&J SPECIALTY PRODUCTS, INC.

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Basic Components Utilized Basic Components Utilized in Traditional Air in Traditional Air

Monitoring SystemsMonitoring Systems Vacuum Pump:Vacuum Pump: Oilless carbon vane pump Oilless carbon vane pump Flowmeter:Flowmeter: Variable area rotometer Variable area rotometer Flow Regulator:Flow Regulator: Constant flow regulator Constant flow regulator

that automatically adjust that automatically adjust for filter dust loading for filter dust loading

Elapsed Time Meter:Elapsed Time Meter: Electromechanical or Electromechanical or electronic timer electronic timer

Volume Totalizer:Volume Totalizer: Dry gas test meter Dry gas test meter

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Optional Features Employed in Optional Features Employed in RETS/REMP Environmental Air RETS/REMP Environmental Air

Monitoring SystemsMonitoring Systems Thermostatically controlled fansThermostatically controlled fans GFCI protectionGFCI protection Multiple receptacle stripsMultiple receptacle strips Light fixturesLight fixtures Heat lampsHeat lamps Small heatersSmall heaters External gooseneckExternal gooseneck Removable base plates where all Removable base plates where all

components are mounted to facilitate components are mounted to facilitate exchange of componentsexchange of components

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Traditional Environmental Air Traditional Environmental Air Monitoring SystemMonitoring System

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Components of Current Components of Current Technology Air Monitoring Technology Air Monitoring

SystemsSystems Vacuum pumpVacuum pump Flow regulatorFlow regulator All purpose microprocessor controlled All purpose microprocessor controlled

electronic control centerelectronic control center One or more of the option listed below:One or more of the option listed below:

1.1. Thermostatically controlled fansThermostatically controlled fans2.2. GFCI protectionGFCI protection3.3. Multiple receptacle stripsMultiple receptacle strips4.4. Light fixturesLight fixtures5.5. Small heatersSmall heaters6.6. External gooseneckExternal gooseneck7.7. Removable base plates where all components are Removable base plates where all components are

mounted to facilitate exchange of componentsmounted to facilitate exchange of components

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Features Provided by All Purpose Features Provided by All Purpose Electronic Control CentersElectronic Control Centers

Digital display of data values utilizing LCD, LED, or VFD Digital display of data values utilizing LCD, LED, or VFD displaysdisplays

Accurate flow sensorAccurate flow sensor Very accurate elapsed time meterVery accurate elapsed time meter Very accurate determination of flowrate corrected to STPVery accurate determination of flowrate corrected to STP Very accurate volume totalization corrected to STPVery accurate volume totalization corrected to STP Measurement of air flow temperatureMeasurement of air flow temperature Absolute pressure measurement (usually at entry to flow Absolute pressure measurement (usually at entry to flow

sensor)sensor) Auto shut-off on time, selectable by operatorAuto shut-off on time, selectable by operator Auto shut-off on volume, selectable by operator Auto shut-off on volume, selectable by operator Data export capability through RS232Data export capability through RS232 Data storageData storage Programmability by operator of periodic sampling intervalsProgrammability by operator of periodic sampling intervals Data acquisition, data management and report softwareData acquisition, data management and report software Capability for real time interaction with field instrument (some Capability for real time interaction with field instrument (some

additional hardware required)additional hardware required)

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Comparison of Traditional RETS/REMP Comparison of Traditional RETS/REMP Sampling System Designs with Current Sampling System Designs with Current

Technology DesignsTechnology DesignsCriteria Traditional Technology Current

Technology

Flow Rate Maximum 5% at time of 2%-4% for long

Accuracy reading. Easy to make term unattended

errors reading rotometers. monitoring appli-

No record of measured cation. Errors are flowrate. at a minimum in

reading a digital display. Flow

rate record of time is available.

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Technology Designs (cont.)Technology Designs (cont.)CriteriaCriteria Traditional TechnologyTraditional Technology Current TechnologyCurrent TechnologyVolume TotalizationVolume Totalization Very poor; usually start plusVery poor; usually start plus Excellent; Excellent;

volumevolumeAccuracy withoutAccuracy without ending flowrate divided by 2 ending flowrate divided by 2

accumulation com-accumulation com-dry gas test meterdry gas test meter multiplied by elapsed time multiplied by elapsed time puted as puted as

frequentlyfrequentlythat was recorded by timer or that was recorded by timer or as once per second as once per second the time elapsed between of the the time elapsed between of the or other acceptable or other acceptable two readings of the rotometer. two readings of the rotometer. frequency. These frequency. These values are con-values are con-The value of flowrates in between The value of flowrates in between tinually summed tinually summed readings is not known and results readings is not known and results giving up-to-dategiving up-to-datein unknown accuracy.in unknown accuracy. volume volume accumulation on accumulation on display and at the display and at the end of end of measurement.measurement.

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Technology Designs (cont.)Technology Designs (cont.)CriteriaCriteria Traditional TechnologyTraditional Technology Current Current

TechnologyTechnologyVolume TotalizationVolume Totalization Marginal; the volumes measured Marginal; the volumes measured Volumes Volumes

collectedcollectedaccuracy with dry gasaccuracy with dry gas are actual volumes at the temper-are actual volumes at the temper- can be can be

compared to compared to test metertest meter ature and pressure at which theature and pressure at which the volumes volumes

collected collected gas flows through the meter at gas flows through the meter at at any other NPP at any other NPP any point in time. Can’t compareany point in time. Can’t compare location, regardless location, regardless volumes at different plant sitesvolumes at different plant sites of elevation differ- of elevation differ- or at different times at the same or at different times at the same ences, seasonal ences, seasonal plant site.plant site. differences or short differences or short term climatic term climatic changes changes between between sites. sites.

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Technology Designs (cont.)Technology Designs (cont.)CriteriaCriteria Traditional TechnologyTraditional Technology Current TechnologyCurrent TechnologyCapability to correctCapability to correct None; if dry gas meter is used None; if dry gas meter is used Excellent; Excellent;

systems systems volumes to a referencevolumes to a reference for volume totalizations; it does for volume totalizations; it does can be can be

set to correctset to correcttemperature and temperature and not correct for pressure changes not correct for pressure changes incremental incremental

volumesvolumespressurepressure and unless it is a temperature and unless it is a temperature to any referenceto any reference

compensated meter, it does not compensated meter, it does not temperature and temperature and correct for temperature changes. correct for temperature changes. pressure or even topressure or even to Volumes reported are actual Volumes reported are actual report actual volume, report actual volume, volumes, which vary from day to volumes, which vary from day to if desiredif desired night and season to season due night and season to season due to variations in pressure and to variations in pressure and temperature during the sampling temperature during the sampling periodperiod

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Technology Designs (cont.)Technology Designs (cont.)CriteriaCriteria Traditional TechnologyTraditional Technology Current TechnologyCurrent TechnologySize requirementsSize requirements Dry gas test meter Dry gas test meter

Typical footprint Typical footprint ~1540 cubic inches~1540 cubic inches range is approxi- range is approxi- Elapsed time meterElapsed time meter mately 30-144 cubicmately 30-144 cubic~negligible~negligible inches. Additional inches. Additional

features implemented features implemented by software can be by software can be selected without selected without increasing the increasing the footprint size. footprint size.

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Comparison of DGTM Volume Totalizer Dimensions With The

Dimensions of Current Technology Systems

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TechnologyTechnologyCostCost Less expensive than top of theLess expensive than top of the Fully Fully

programmable,programmable,line electronic units. Comparable line electronic units. Comparable units are 70 units are 70

to 100% to 100% in price to electronic units that in price to electronic units that greater in greater in

cost than cost than offer basic features of flowrate offer basic features of flowrate traditional techno-traditional techno-

and volume totalization, digital and volume totalization, digital logy units. logy units. Middle of Middle of

display and RS232 communicationdisplay and RS232 communication the line the line units are units are

portport comparable in comparable in price price when you consider when you consider

the costs of air the costs of air sampler + sampler +

timer + timer + dry gas test dry gas test meter meter and fittingsand fittings

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Technology Designs (cont.)Technology Designs (cont.)CriteriaCriteria Traditional TechnologyTraditional Technology

Current TechnologyCurrent Technology

CalibrationCalibration Calibration of individualCalibration of individualEntire unit can beEntire unit can be

components is required. components is required. calibrated at one calibrated at one

Calibration of components Calibration of components time time as a singleas a single

at different dates in not at different dates in not component.component.

desirable.desirable.

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Technology Designs (cont.)Technology Designs (cont.)CriteriaCriteria Traditional TechnologyTraditional Technology

Current TechnologyCurrent Technology

MaintenanceMaintenance Maintenance expertise for Maintenance expertise for Single vendorSingle vendor

various components required; various components required; involved provides involved provides

different vendors involved.different vendors involved.maintenance service maintenance service

or maintenance or maintenance

instructions.instructions.

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TechnologyTechnologyLegal/Legal/ Data accuracy is less than Data accuracy is less than Data record Data record RegulatoryRegulatory desirable. No certainties of desirable. No certainties of available to available to

operating conditions operating conditions determine the determine the during unattended periods. during unattended periods. operating operating conditionsconditionsat any unattended at any unattended period of time.period of time.

Greater accuracy ofGreater accuracy ofvalues improves values improves credibility with credibility with regulatory agencies regulatory agencies and for use as and for use as evidence in legal evidence in legal proceedings.proceedings.

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TechnologyTechnologyCalibration of dry gasCalibration of dry gas Calibrations performed at pressureCalibrations performed at pressure

Calibrations per-Calibrations per-Test meter Test meter conditions that do not bracket the conditions that do not bracket the formed formed

for pressurefor pressureoperating pressure range exper- operating pressure range exper- ranges ranges

applicableapplicableience of most RETS/REMP ience of most RETS/REMP to RETS/REMPto RETS/REMPapplications.applications. system system

operatingoperatingconditions. conditions.

Current Current technology systems technology systems can be calibrated can be calibrated

easily over the ranges easily over the ranges of absolute pressures of absolute pressures

that the that the monitoring system monitoring system will be exposed to.will be exposed to.

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Comparison of Pressure Drop Comparison of Pressure Drop Differences for Different Filter Differences for Different Filter Combinations at Two Different Combinations at Two Different

FlowratesFlowratesFilterFilter Pressure DropPressure Drop Pressure DropPressure Drop

CombinationCombination @ 100 LPM@ 100 LPM @ 30 LPM@ 30 LPM

““HH22OO “ Hg“ Hg “H“H22OO “ Hg“ Hg

TE2C +FP47TE2C +FP47 59.559.5 4.384.38 15.015.0 1.101.10

TE3C+FP47MTE3C+FP47M 37.437.4 2.752.75 8.38.3 0.60.6

TE1C+FP47MTE1C+FP47M 34.134.1 2.512.51 7.27.2 0.530.53

AGZC58+FP47AGZC58+FP47 96.896.8 7.137.13 31.131.1 2.282.28

521147521147 51.851.8 3.813.81 13.413.4 0.980.98

0.45 u membrane*0.45 u membrane* 138.6138.6 10.210.2 55.655.6 4.14.1

* Maximum flowrate achieved was 80 LPM* Maximum flowrate achieved was 80 LPM

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Physical Parameters that Physical Parameters that Influence the Absolute Influence the Absolute

Pressure Value at DGTMPressure Value at DGTM Pressure drop is a function of the filter Pressure drop is a function of the filter

combination in use. More restrictive filter combination in use. More restrictive filter combinations create greater pressure drops.combinations create greater pressure drops.

Flowrate of sampling operationFlowrate of sampling operation Pressure drop is proportional to flowrate.Pressure drop is proportional to flowrate. Larger flowrates create larger pressure drops.Larger flowrates create larger pressure drops.

Line losses throughout sampling systems Line losses throughout sampling systems upstream of DGTM.upstream of DGTM. Smaller sample line ID and longer flow paths Smaller sample line ID and longer flow paths

upstream of DGTM increase pressure drop.upstream of DGTM increase pressure drop.

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Physical Test Set-up for Comparing VolumesDetermined by DGTM and Current

Technology System

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Dry Gas Test Meter Accumulated Dry Gas Test Meter Accumulated Volumes at Various Vacuum Volumes at Various Vacuum

ConditionsConditionsCorrectedCorrected

PressurePressure FlowFlow DGTMDGTM DGTMDGTM DGTMDGTM DGTM VDGTM V DL-1 DL-1 %%B.P B.P DropDrop RateRate FinalFinal InitialInitial Actual VActual V @STP@STP STP V STP V

DeviationDeviation(“ Hg) (“ Hg) (“ Hg) (“ Hg) (LPM) (LPM) Filters Filters ReadingReading ReadingReading (m(m33) ) (m(m33)) (m (m33) ) @ STP@ STP29.9529.95 4.064.06 9292 TE2C+TE2C+ 36.3836.38 25.3025.30 11.0811.08 9.599.59 10.02010.020

-4.29-4.29 FP47FP4729.9929.99 10.17210.172 67 67 A080A047AA080A047A76.7076.70 63.1063.10 13.6013.60 9.0789.078 10.00110.001

-9.92-9.92

29.9929.99 14.4614.46 5454 TE2C+TE2C+ 63.1163.11 47.8047.80 15.3115.31 7.9417.941 10.00110.001-20.59-20.59

CI47CI47

30.1430.14 18.1518.15 44.744.7 CI47(2)+CI47(2)+ 93.2393.23 77.0077.00 16.2316.23 6.506.50 10.00010.000-35.0-35.0

AGZC58AGZC58

Temperature Correction: Temperature Correction: None made because temperature compensated meter was utilizedNone made because temperature compensated meter was utilized

Pressure Correction:Pressure Correction: V V STPSTP – V – VAA ( (B.P – Pressure DropB.P – Pressure Drop)) V VA = A = Actual volumeActual volume29.92” Hg29.92” Hg V V STPSTP = STP volume @ 1 atm and 70 = STP volume @ 1 atm and 70oo F F

% Deviation: @ STP% Deviation: @ STP V V DGTM (STPDGTM (STP)- V )- V DL-1 (STP)DL-1 (STP) X 100X 100

V V DGTM (STP)DGTM (STP)

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Observations of Test Data and Issues Observations of Test Data and Issues related to DGTM Calibration related to DGTM Calibration

MethodologyMethodology Impact of difference in absolute pressure at DGTM and atmospheric Impact of difference in absolute pressure at DGTM and atmospheric

pressure is greater than impact of difference in actual temperature pressure is greater than impact of difference in actual temperature and reference temperature at 70and reference temperature at 70ooF. Utilization of temperature F. Utilization of temperature compensated DGTM eliminates differences due to temperature.compensated DGTM eliminates differences due to temperature.

Actual volumes collected at actual P below atmospheric pressure are Actual volumes collected at actual P below atmospheric pressure are always greater than volumes at a reference pressure of 1 atm. This is always greater than volumes at a reference pressure of 1 atm. This is due to the fact that gases expand at the lower absolute pressure due to the fact that gases expand at the lower absolute pressure values such as those existing at the DGTM.values such as those existing at the DGTM.

DGTM volumes when corrected to STP utilizing known P conditions DGTM volumes when corrected to STP utilizing known P conditions differ substantially from volumes collected by the instrument that differ substantially from volumes collected by the instrument that corrects volumes to STP in increments of once per second.corrects volumes to STP in increments of once per second.

WHY IS THIS?WHY IS THIS?

Typical Calibration Procedure for DGTMTypical Calibration Procedure for DGTM DGTM calibration performed utilizing very accurate Bell Prover at DGTM calibration performed utilizing very accurate Bell Prover at

vacuum conditionsvacuum conditions According to the Inversys calibration laboratory the maximum According to the Inversys calibration laboratory the maximum

vacuum value below atmospheric pressure is 7” Hvacuum value below atmospheric pressure is 7” H22O at the O at the maximum flow rate of DGTM utilized by F&J in tests performed to maximum flow rate of DGTM utilized by F&J in tests performed to collect data for this paper.collect data for this paper.

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Observations of Test Data and Observations of Test Data and Issues related to DGTM Issues related to DGTM

Calibration Methodology (cont.)Calibration Methodology (cont.)ObservationsObservations

Absolute pressure values at the DGTM for typical Absolute pressure values at the DGTM for typical filter combination utilized in RETS/REMP filter combination utilized in RETS/REMP monitoring very probably are not within the monitoring very probably are not within the range at which the typical DGTM are calibrated range at which the typical DGTM are calibrated even for the least restrictive filter combinations even for the least restrictive filter combinations utilized this these programs.utilized this these programs.

This can be alternatively stated thatThis can be alternatively stated that

One or more types of DGTM utilized in NPP One or more types of DGTM utilized in NPP RETS/REMP monitoring applications may not be RETS/REMP monitoring applications may not be calibrated at pressure conditions at which they calibrated at pressure conditions at which they are being utilized to measure volumes and thus are being utilized to measure volumes and thus this field practice is inconsistent with standard this field practice is inconsistent with standard scientific instrument measurement practices scientific instrument measurement practices applicable toapplicable to our industry.our industry.

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ConclusionsConclusions

Organizations utilizing DGTM for volume totalizations Organizations utilizing DGTM for volume totalizations inin

RETS/REMP monitoring applications should reexamine RETS/REMP monitoring applications should reexamine their programs. An evaluation of these issues could their programs. An evaluation of these issues could include one or more of the following items:include one or more of the following items:

Determination of typical absolute pressure values at Determination of typical absolute pressure values at the inlet to the DGTM for the actual systems employed the inlet to the DGTM for the actual systems employed at the plant sites.at the plant sites.

Determination of calibration conditions for pressure Determination of calibration conditions for pressure utilized by the manufacturer of the DGTM utilized in utilized by the manufacturer of the DGTM utilized in the RETS/REMP system at maximum flow rate the RETS/REMP system at maximum flow rate through the DGTM.through the DGTM.

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Conclusions (cont.)Conclusions (cont.)

Evaluation of the probable errors in volume Evaluation of the probable errors in volume determination, obtained with use of the existing determination, obtained with use of the existing DGTM at the typical range of absolute pressures DGTM at the typical range of absolute pressures existing at each DGTM.existing at each DGTM.

Installation of temperature compensated DGTM to Installation of temperature compensated DGTM to limit the measurement issues to the absolute limit the measurement issues to the absolute pressures existing at the DGTM.pressures existing at the DGTM.

Determination as to whether use of DGTM at Determination as to whether use of DGTM at pressure conditions outside the range for which the pressure conditions outside the range for which the instrument is calibrated is acceptable from a instrument is calibrated is acceptable from a scientific and/or regulatory perspective.scientific and/or regulatory perspective.

Report all volumes as actual volumes on data sheets Report all volumes as actual volumes on data sheets and reports unless STP volumes are actually being and reports unless STP volumes are actually being determined.determined.

by frank m. gavila f&j specialty products, inc

Documents

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real time interaction

constant flow regulator

volume accumulation

data management

electronic control centerone

basic components

accumulation comdry