Appendix B: Bcr-Limestone Test Procedure For Calibration Check On Brookfield Powder Flow Tester - Brookfield PFT Powder Flow Tester Operating Instructions Manual

Appendix B: BCR Limestone Test Procedure for Calibration Check on
Brookfield Powder Flow Tester
Background Information
BCR-116 Limestone Powder (2500cc, 3.2kg per jar) is the reference material used to perform a
calibration check. It is certified by the European Commission, Joint Research Centre, located in
Belgium. The powder is available for purchase from Brookfield. 9 tests can be performed per
jar with the Standard Volume Shear Cell (263cc per test), 55 tests with the Small Volume Shear
Cell (43cc per test). Although best practice is to use a fresh sample for each test, degradation
of the limestone during the test is not significant. Therefore the limestone powder can therefore
be reused for additional calibration checks. The Certificate of Analysis which comes with the
BCR-116 Limestone states that the material is valid for 5 years after purchase.
Sample Preparation
Condition the limestone for 24 hours by spreading the powder out on the pan so in a thin layer no
more than a centimeter deep. Use a metal scoop to break up any agglomerates. Maintain relative
humidity between 40% and 60%RH, temperature between 22 and 28ºC. If it is not possible to
achieve these test conditions, record the temperature and relative humidity for 8 hours prior to
the test and report these values.
Test Procedure
Fill the trough with powder using the metal scoop. Gently load the powder by allowing it to fall
off the scoop into the annular ring. Rotate the scraping tool in a clockwise direction until the
excess powder is removed. Reversing the direction of the scraping tool is acceptable to remove
the excess powder. Make sure that the mound of powder in the annular ring is reasonably uniform
all the way around. Fill the same way each time.
Use the same lab technician to run each Flow Function test on a specific instrument. Run 3
Flow Function tests at a minimum. Best practice is to run 7 Flow Function tests. Use the Vane
Lid. Select the Custom Flow Function Test. Test method requires 5 consolidation stresses
using geometric spacing, 3 over consolidation stresses. Do not use a separate sample for each
consolidation, do not repeat each measurement, and do not test at the point of tangency.
Record the temperature and the relative humidity for each test.
Data File Management
The file name convention illustrated below is recommended. Identify the test material and size
of shear cell under Product. Identify location of test, date of test, serial number of instrument,
and initials of person doing the test under Batch:
Product: BCR Limestone Standard Volume Shear Cell
Batch: Brookfield 9 Jan 2013 SN789217 RGM
Save both the raw data file and the stress data file after each test. Under the Analysis Tab in the
Powder Flow Pro software, the raw data file is saved with the check box next to the disc icon
AMETEK Brookfield Page 61
Note: file length < 30 characters
Note: file length < 30 characters
Manual No. M09-1200-F1016