PXRF- Tracer Helium Flow Control System This flow control system was designed to regulate the gas flow from a helium (He) balloon tank containing 8.9 cu ft (0.25 cu m). Tank not included with the system. The Helium Flow Control System comes assembled, and includes 10 ft of 1/8in ID tubing. Please contact: Avril Stevenson (Avril@rhizoterra.com)
Instructions for how to use the Rhizoterra He Flow System for the new Tracer 5i
The Bruker 5i Tracer (shown in Blue) with the Rhizoterra He Flow Control System attached to the Tracer and helium tank
What the Helium Flow Control System will look like when you open it: Flow meter Teflon tape Tubing with connection end to attach to flow meter Helium regulator Directions
A close up look at the parts in the bag Tank pressure gauge Flow meter He pressure valve Tubing with a connection for the flow meter
Gauge attaches to the tank and reads tank pressure Tubing at flow meter outlet attaches to Tracer vacuum port. Regulator General Information for Tracer SD III and IV: Remove the Vacuum Band-Aid from the Tracer: this is the window that covers the detector. Secure the He tank or have the He tank at ground level. The flow system causes tank to be top heavy so the tank should be secured from tipping over. For use ONLY with a helium party balloon tank. Tank is not included.
What you need to make the System work: 1.) Helium balloon tank. The flow control system is designed for a helium balloon tank that contains 8.9 cu. ft. (0.25 cu. m.). You can purchase these at any party supply store. 2.) 9/16 inch Wrench 3.) 5/8 inch Wrench 4.) 7/16 inch Wrench
How to assemble the flow system Note: The flow control system is designed only for a helium balloon tank that contains 8.9 cu. ft. (0.25 cu. m.). Warning: DO NOT use on any other size helium tank. 1. DO NOT THROW AWAY BOX THAT THE HELIUM TANK COMES IN! 1. Cut box top off with a box cutter and place helium tank in box to secure the tank. This is a cheap and easy way to secure the tank from easily tipping over once the flow system is installed.
How to assemble the flow system 3. Make sure the valve on the tank is turned OFF. 4. Remove the balloon fitting by untwisting fitting from the helium tank. 5. DO NOT use Teflon tape on the helium tank fitting or it will not have a tight seal. Helium tank fitting
How to assemble the flow system: assembling the flow system. 6. Do put Teflon tape on the fitting by the helium regulator. Only use enough tape to go around one time. If you use to much tape it will not seal properly. Teflon tape here 7. Remove the white piece of plastic from the back of the flow meter. Note: The bottom fitting opposite the black knob connects to the helium regulator.
How to assemble attach the flow system 8. Connect the bottom fitting of the flow meter to the helium regulator by twisting the flow meter onto it, and hand tighten. 9. if necessary- to further tighten the flow meter to the regulator use 7/16 inch wrench on the helium regulator and use the 5/8 inch wrench on the back of the flow meter then tighten. 5/8 inch wrench on washer attached on the back of flow meter. 7/16 inch wrench on bolt attached to helium regulator.
How to assemble attach the flow system 10. Secure the fully assembled flow system to the tank by holding the flow system level with the helium tank, and finger tighten the screw fitting on the flow system. 11. Use a 9/16 inch wrench to secure the flow system to the helium tank. You want to make sure the Helium Flow Control Systems is secured with a firm seal. Do not use teflon tape on this fitting.
How to assemble the flow system 12. Once the flow system is connected to the tank it should look like this. 13. Now you need to attach the output tubing to the top end of the flowmeter, and hand tighten. Connect tubing to top fitting of flow meter
How to assemble the flow system Once the flow system is secured to the helium tank. 14. Turn on the valve on top of the helium tank to allow the helium to flow into the system. See pressure in gage increase to between 300 and 350 psi when tank is new. Note: the pressure will decrease over time and with use. Note: The black section on the middle is the helium regulator controls the flow of helium from the tank to the flow meter. 16. To allow the helium to flow through the system lift the black knob up until it clicks. Then turn towards the + to increase the flow.
How to assemble the flow system (part 8) 16. Press the black knob of the regulator down to lock in the open position helium is now flowing to the flow meter. 17. Open the valve on flow meterturn counter clockwise towards the wider side of the knob, and the helium will begin to flow through the flow meter. Adjust the knob on the flow meter until the flow stabilises at approximately 0.1 LPM or 0.05 LPM
How to assemble the flow system (part 9) 18. The black ball in the flow meter will begin to rise. You want to adjust the flow meter to have pressure between 0.05 and 0.1 LPM See black ball in flow meter at 0.1 LPM Note: To turn the helium off- lift knob on the regulator until till it clicks turn knob to - (see the - on the knob) and press down the knob to lock in place.
How to attach the flow system to the Tracer 1. Secure the Tracer and the tank in a safe and stable position. 2. Turn off all values on the He tank, He regulator, flow meter before connecting the system to the Tracer. 3. Remove the vacuum band-aid or window from over the Tracer detector. 4. Before you attach to tubing to the Tracer - put the end of the hose in a glass of water and adjust the He flow to the appropriate level (between 0.05 and 0.1 LPM). 5. Attach the tubing to the Tracer- hold the Tracer securely and push tube into Tracer. Note: The tubing is a tight fit you may need to use some force. Secure the Tracer to the stand - if you have not already done so. 6. Make sure you place the helium tank close enough to Tracer that the tubing is not pulling.
The hose slides over the port on the side of the Tracer 5i easily. Leave some slack in the hose so it cannot fall off the Tracer during a run. The Helium port on the Tracer 5i
The Bruker 5i Tracer (shown in Blue) with the Rhizoterra He Flow Control System attached to the Tracer and helium tank
PXRF- Tracer Helium Flow Control System The tubing from the flow system attached to the Tracer SD III or IV. Please contact: Avril Stevenson (Avril@rhizoterra.com)
Finished analysing with He Close the main valve on the He tank. There will still be some He in the system but it will bleed off once the main valve on the tank is closed. Secure the Tracer and the He tank and remove the tubing from the Tracer. TM