Operating Manual

Fast Thermal Conductivity Detector

FTC110-TRA/mA

Version 12_09 Messkonzept GmbH

Operating Manual

1.

2.

Features
Precise and long term stable thermal conductivity measurement
High sensitivity independent of ambient temperature
Fast response with a T90 time of about 1 sec
Measurement independent of gas flow and pressure in a wide range
Small (105x50x50mm) and robust transmitter (protection class: IP65)
Linear signal output e.g. ranging from 4mA for N2 to 20mA for H2
Easy calibration routine using two potentiometers

Applications

The thermal conductivity of a gas mixture depends on the individual gas components
and on the composition of the mixture. Under certain conditions, therefore, the
concentration of individual gas components can be determined by measuring the thermal
conductivity. In other cases the identification of certain properties of gases is of special
interest e.g. for quality control or safety reasons. Often these properties are related to the
thermal conductivity and thereby identified.
The concentration can be determined with higher precision if one of the following conditions
is met:
(a) The gas mixture consists of only two components, for example measuring O2 in Ar or H2
in N2.
(b) The gas mixture consists of more than two components but only concentrations of two
components vary, for example measuring CO2 in air.
(c) The gas mixture consists of more than two components but the component of interest
has a thermal conductivity that is very different from the other components (quasibinary mixtures), for example monitoring impurities in H2.

3.

Description

The thermal conductivity detector FTC110-TRA/mA is designed for industrial process gas
analysis. It is based on a micro-mechanical silicon chip which precisely measures the
thermal conductivity of the measuring gas. The chip is fitted into a stainless steel housing
that guarantees a pressure resistance up to 10 bar. In order to allow a temperature controlled
operation mode of the detector, the temperature of the stainless steel housing is controlled
using two heating elements and a temperature sensor that are attached to the housing. The
default value of the temperature is 60C.
The stainless steel housing, the temperature control circuit and the electronics that generates
the output signal are placed in a sealed aluminum housing (protection class: IP65). The
housing is filled with small glass beads in order to avoid an explosion-capable mixture inside
the housing. Gas inlet and outlet are made of 6mm outer diameter stainless-steel tubing.
Warning: Do not open the aluminum housing!

Messkonzept GmbH Niedwiesenstr. 33 60431 Frankfurt Germany

Operating Manual

4.

Technical Data
4.1 Absolute maximum ratings:
Ambient temperature
Sensor temperature
Gas pressure (absolute)
4.2 Specifications:
Weight (without cable)
Gas flow
T90 time at a flow of 100 l/h
Volume of the device
Warm-up time
4.3 Material:
Material exposed to the gas

5.

min.
-20
--0.4
min.
--5
-------

typ.
--+60
1
typ.
~650
50
<1
~3.5
~30

max.
+55
+75
10
max.
--150
-------

Units
C
C
bar
Units
g
l/h
sec
cm3
min

Stainless steel (LF316SS), Kovar, Si,

SiOxNy, gold, epoxy, Viton

Dimensions and Installation

Diagram 1: Top view of the FTC110-TRA/mA detector

Messkonzept GmbH Niedwiesenstr. 33 60431 Frankfurt Germany

Operating Manual

Diagram 2: Back and front view of the FTC110-TRA/mA detector

The flow-through device, signal processing and temperature control electronics are placed in
a sealed aluminum housing with dimensions of 105mm x 50mm x 50mm (protection class:
IP65).
The housing is shown in the diagrams below. Dimensions are given in mm. The housing can
be mounted with 4 flange screws (4mm). It is recommended that the housing is installed in
an upright position where the two flanges point down. The gas in- and outlet is made of
6mm outer diameter stainless-steel tubing.
Warning: Be sure not to turn the gas in- and outlet tubing of the detector while installing it.
Check the gas tightness after installing the detector.
Warning: Avoid condensation inside the sensor device. Ensure liquids, aerosols, dust and
particles are removed before the sample enters the sensor device.

Messkonzept GmbH Niedwiesenstr. 33 60431 Frankfurt Germany

Operating Manual

6.

Electrical Connection

On the back of the aluminum housing there is a 4-pin female connector called connector 1 in
the diagram above. The pin code is given in the diagram. The color code of the cable is
given below:
Color

Connection

white

- 24V DC Power Supply

brown

+ 24V DC Power Supply

green

+ 20mA Output

yellow

- 20mA Output

black

Shield

Warning: Do not interchange common and plus wires. This causes serious damage to the
electronics.
Specifications:
Description

Range

Recommended

Current

Power Supply

18V to 24V DC

24V DC

up to 450mA

Output Signal

4-20 mA

Burden

800 Ohm

The output signal is linear.

7.

Calibration

Warning: All adjustments described in this chapter should only be performed by personnel
who are familiar with the FTC110 detector. An incorrect calibration results in erroneous
measurement.
The FTC110 transmitter is easily calibrated using two potentiometers. In general, it is
sufficient to check the zero point of the FTC110 detector. It is recommended to do this every
month. Supply the zero gas to the sensor and wait for 15 min. Watch the output signal. If
the deviation is less than 1% from the measuring span of 16mA (0.16mA), the operation is
still okay and the transmitter can be used without further calibration.
If the deviation is more than 1% from 16mA (0.16mA), open the zero-adjust screw and
carefully store the screw and the small O-ring seal. Use a small screw driver in order to adjust
the zero potentiometer so that an output of 4mA is achieved.
In order to check the span, supply the span gas to the detector for at least 15 min. If the
deviation is less than 1% from 16mA (0.16mA), the operation is still okay and the
Messkonzept GmbH Niedwiesenstr. 33 60431 Frankfurt Germany

Operating Manual

transmitter can be used without further calibration. Otherwise open the span-adjust screw
and adjust the span potentiometer so that an output of 20mA is achieved.
Warning: Be sure to reinstall the screws and O-ring seals after the calibration process.
Otherwise the IP65 protection degree will be lost.

8.

Measurement Specifications

T90 time
Noise
Drift
Repeatability
Influence of ambient temp.
Influence of gas flow

Influence of pressure between

800 - 1200 hPa

<1 sec at a flow of 100 l/h

< 0.1% of range
< 2% of smallest range per week
< 1% of range
< 2% of smallest range / 10C
< 1% of smallest range from 40l/h - 150l/h
for mixtures mainly consisting of N2
< 2% of smallest range from 40l/h - 60l/h
for mixtures mainly consisting of H2
< 0.4% of smallest measuring range
per 10 hPa
< 0.04% of largest measuring range
per 10 hPa

In principle, the smallest measuring range is as small as 0.5 Vol-% H2 in N2.

Manufacturer:
MessKonzept GmbH
Niedwiesenstr. 33
60431 Frankfurt
Germany

Fon
Fax

+49 69 53056444
+49 69 53056445

Messkonzept GmbH Niedwiesenstr. 33 60431 Frankfurt Germany