MINIVAP LPG Vapor Pressure Tester

		MINIVAP LPG Vapor Pressure Tester

The Official Alternative to the Traditional Bomb Method Product | Small | MINIVAP LPG

MINIVAP LPG is a unique tester for the automatic vapor pressure determination of Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) and Natural Petroleum Gases (NPG) according to the latest expansion-method ASTM D6897.
Test results equivalent to ASTM D1267 can be obtained by using a much smaller sample volume and a significantly shortened and simplified measuring procedure.

The fully automated measuring principle with the built-in piston for sample introduction and measuring cell volume adjustment offers safe, easy, fast and highly accurate operation and avoids the use of an external vacuum pump.

NEW METHOD
MINIVAP LPG vapor pressure tester is a stand-alone unit for fully automatic vapor pressure determination of liquefied petroleum products. The measuring principle utilizes the built-in piston for automatic sample introduction and sample chamber volume adjustment. It offers safe and easy operation and reduces environmental pollution. A printer with a serial interface can be connected directly for an immediate printout of the measured data. In the field, the tester is powered from a vehicle battery and the measured data are stored in the internal memory for later documentation.

ABOUT THE NEW STANDARD ASTM D6897
This test method covers the use of automatic vapor pressure instruments to determine the vapor pressure of liquefied petroleum gas products at a temperature of 37.8°C (100°F), a vapor to liquid ratio of 0.5:1, and pressures from 200 to 1550 kPa (29.01 to 224.8 psi) on a sample volume of 3.33 mL. This test method is also applicable for determination of vapor pressures of liquefied petroleum gas products at temperatures from 37.8 to 70°C (100 to 158°F), vapor to liquid ratios of 0.1:1 to 4:1, and pressures up to 3500 kPa (507.6 psi); however, the precision of the test method has only been determined for a vapor to liquid ratio of 0.5:1, at a temperature of 37.8°C (100°F), and a pressure range from 300 to 1500 kPa (43.51 to 217.6 psi).

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
(from ASTM D1267)
Information on the vapor pressures of liquefied petroleum gas products under temperature conditions from 37.8 to 70°C (100 to 158°F) is pertinent for the selection of properly designed storage vessels, shipping containers, and customer utilization equipment to ensure safe handling of these products. Determination of the vapor pressure of liquefied petroleum gas is important for safety reasons, mainly to ensure that the maximum operating design pressures of storage, handling, and fuel systems will not be exceeded under normal operating temperature conditions. For liquefied petroleum gases, vapor pressure is an indirect measure of the most extreme low temperature conditions under which initial vaporization can be expected to occur. It can be considered a semi-quantitative measure of the amount of the most volatile material present in the product.

EQUIVALENT TO ASTM D1267
The test results are equivalent to ASTM D1267 with the exception of a significantly smaller sample volume and a strikingly simplified and reliable measuring procedure. The procedure of filling to 3.3 or 3 mL and expansion to 5 mL with a final vapor/liquid-ratio of 1:2 or 2:3 is consistent to the purging and filling procedure of ASTM D1267 (33.3% or 20% upper chamber).

PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
Only 10 mL of LPG are disposed of during the filling and measuring procedure.

INCREASED SAFETY
The much smaller sample volume improves safe handling.

		MINIVAP LPG Vapor Pressure Tester

The Official Alternative to the Traditional Bomb Method Product | Small | MINIVAP LPG

FEATURES

Fully compliant to the latest Mini-(expansion-) method ASTM D6897!
Excellent correlation to ASTM D1267
Variable V/L-ratio: 1/2 to 2/3
Increased safety in the lab
Environmental friendly: significant reduction of pollution
Only 13 mL sample needed for rinsing and measurement
Thermoelectric temperature control (built-in Peltier cooling)
Easy to use and test results within 5 minutes
Automatic sample introduction: GRABNER piston based principle
No vacuum pump necessary
Floating Piston Cylinder FPC250 for sampling
Compact and portable for field & lab use: optional vehicle battery connector
MINIWIN PC software

Options/Accessories
Printer, PC, and MINIWIN recommended

Technical Data
Temperature Range

5 to 70°C (41 to 158°F)

Pressure Range 0 to 20,000 hPa
0 to 2000.0 kPa
0 to 20 atm
0 to 290.00 psi

Power Requirements 100/120/230/240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 65 W

Field Application 12 V/4A DC (vehicle battery)

W x H x D 196 x 315 x 175 mm (7.7" x 12.4" x 6.9")

Weight 8 kg (18 lb)

Precision Data ASTM D6897 ASTM D323 (Wet Reid Bomb)

Repeatability ±7.4 kPa (1.07 psi) ±12 kPa (1.74 psi)

Reproducibility to be determined ±19 kPa (2.76 psi)

Principle
The sample is contained in a pressurized sample bomb (3) and is attached using a quick-connect fitting (4). The automatic sample introduction and the volume adjustment are performed by a piston with an integrated pressure transducer (1). The measuring chamber (2) with a total volume of 5 mL is automatically rinsed and filled with 3.3 or 4 mL. After closing the valve (5), the volume expansion to 5 mL (with the sample under vacuum condition) is obtained by a further stroke of the piston. The temperature of the measuring cell is controlled with a high-power thermoelectric module (6) and measured with a precision Platinum RTD sensor (7). The sample introduction and the volume expansion are performed at 5 °C followed by a temperature increase to the test temperature. After equilibrium time, the test result is displayed and may be printed. If more than one temperature is programmed, the next temperature points are adjusted and measured consecutively. Finally, the measuring cell is cooled to 5 °C and the sample is disposed of through the outlet.
Product | Small | MINIVAP LPG Measuring Principle
Continuous product development may make it necessary to change product specifications without notice.