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Flow meter and leak detector

Discussions about GC and other "gas phase" separation techniques.

8 posts Page 1 of 1
Hello all.

I was hoping someone could recommend a good flow meter and leak detector for our GCs. I was looking at the Agilent Flow Tracker 2000 (very sci-fi name), but apparently they stopped selling it. Anyone know why? It seemed like a good idea, a combo flowmeter/leak detector.

We currently have a flow meter, a Varian "Intelligent Digital Flowmeter" (no model number, looks like the Agilent ADMs) that was last calibrated in December of 1995... Anyone know a good (read: cheap and reliable) place to send it for calibration, or if we'd be better off purchasing a new one?

Any input/help is greatly appreciated. Maybe someday I'll be able to answer a question on this forum, not just ask a bunch...

-Greg

In my old-fashioned view the very best kind of flow meter is a bubble flow meter - it's cheap, you can see it working, it works the same for all gasses, it never needs recalibrating and it doesn't need batteries :D

Most of the intrument companies and independent suppliers do perfectly servicable leak detectors.

Peter
Peter Apps

Yeah, bubble meters are what we used in school. I actually liked them, for the reasons you pointed out. I'll have to suggest that to my boss. It would give us something to do with the gallon of Snoop someone ordered long ago. New boss doesn't want us using it to detect leaks, because possible contamination of columns.
We'll probably get the cheapest leak detector we can find, and just getting a bubble flow meter. Cheap and effective...

-Greg

Hi Greg

Your new boss has it right - snoop as a leak detector is playing Russian roulette with contamination.

Peter
Peter Apps

Yeah don't use snoop. If you need some sort of bubbling liquid to check for leaks use 50/50 isopropanol and water (other alcohols will work but isopropanol is what most people prefer).

I use the Agilent Flow Tracker 1000 for my daily work and really like it. It is sturdy, is able to quickly zero and the flow cell (or whatever the internal space is called) can be purged quickly when checking different gases. I've never used the bubble meter but if you know how to use it its certainly a cheaper solution.

So, what should I do with a gallon of Snoop? Wash dishes? :D In school we made bubbles full of natural gas and poked 'em with burning splints taped to a meter stick... Maybe I'll do that.

Boss says "no" to bubble meters, too subjective. We will be ordering a ADM 1000 flow meter and maybe the Agilent leak detector.

We've been using the 50/50 IPA/water since she banned Snoop. Works pretty good, IMO.

Thanks for the opinions, you guys (and gals) are always helpful.

-Greg

What on earth is subjective about a bubble flow meter :o ? Time the bubble between two marks, calculate the flow rate. More susceptible to human error thana black box maybe, but anyone who can't operate a bubble flow meter probably should not be in a lab at all !!

Peter
Peter Apps

Peter-
I agree, but I'm also not going to argue with her. Digital is easier, until it breaks, or the batteries die, or someone spills something on it... Whatever, if she wants to spend ~$700 on a digital flowmeter, I'll use it. I just really wanted the leak detector since, apparently, I never tighten the nuts down enough on my columns.

Now we just need a new regulator to replace the He one that keeps leaking... At least its not the H2.

-Greg
8 posts Page 1 of 1

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