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Decagon Devices KD2 Pro Operator's Manual

Thermal properties analyzer
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KD2 Pro
Thermal Properties Analyzer
Operator's Manual
Version 10

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Summary of Contents for Decagon Devices KD2 Pro

  • Page 1 KD2 Pro Thermal Properties Analyzer Operator’s Manual Version 10...
  • Page 2 Decagon Devices, Inc. 2365 NE Hopkins Ct. Pullman, WA 99163 USA Tel: 1-509-332-2756 Fax: 1-509-332-5158 Trademarks: “KD2 Pro” is a registered trademark of Decagon Devices, Inc. ©2008-2011 Decagon Devices, Inc. All rights reserved.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    1. Introduction ......1 About the KD2 Pro ......1 Customer Support .
  • Page 4 Verifying Sensor Performance ....51 8. KD2 Pro Theory ....54 Further Reading .

  • Page 5: Introduction

    2 and 3 of this guide. Customer Support If you ever need assistance with your KD2 Pro, or if you just have questions or feedback, there are several ways to contact us. Customer service representatives are available to speak with you Monday thru Friday, between 8am and 5pm Pacific time.

  • Page 6: Warranty Information

    NOTE: If you purchased your KD2 Pro through a distribu- tor, please contact them for assistance. Warranty Information The KD2 Pro has a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a one- year warranty. Seller’s Liability Seller warrants new equipment of its own manufacture against...

  • Page 7: Repair Instructions

    Repair Instructions If your KD2 Pro should ever require a repair, call Decagon at (509) 332-2756 or 1-800-755-2751 (United States and Can- ada). We will ask you for your address, phone number, your KD2 Pro’s serial number, and your current firmware version.

  • Page 8: Kd2 Pro Overview

    2. KD2 Pro Overview The KD2 Pro is a battery-operated, menu-driven device that measures thermal conductivity and resistivity, volumetric spe- cific heat capacity and thermal diffusivity. The KD2 Pro has been designed for ease of use and maximum functionality. Specifications Operating Environment: Controller: 0 to 50 °C...
  • Page 9 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 2. KD2 Pro Overview Sensors: 60 mm (small) single-needle (KS-1): Size: 1.3 mm diameter x 60 mm long Range: 0.02 to 2.00 W/(m· K) (thermal conductivity) 50 to 5000 °C·cm/W (thermal resistivity) Accuracy (Conductivity): ± 5% from 0.2 - 2 W/(m· K) ±0.01 W/(m·...

  • Page 10: Keypad Operation

    2. KD2 Pro Overview Keypad Operation POWER: Located to the left below the screen, this key activates and deactivates the KD2 Pro. (Note: The device will automatically turn off if not used for more than 10 minutes, except while running in Auto Mode.)

  • Page 11: Choosing A Sensor

    (see “Making a Measure- ment,” “Main Menu,” below). Choosing a Sensor The KD2 Pro comes with three separate sensors, each of which is designed for measurements in specific sample types. KS-1 The small (60 mm long, 1.3 mm diameter) single needle KS-1 sensor measures thermal conductivity and thermal resistivity.
  • Page 12 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 2. KD2 Pro Overview errors from contact resistance become negligible making the KS- 1 sensor a good choice. TR-1 The large (100 mm long, 2.4 mm diameter) single needle TR-1 sensor measures thermal conductivity and thermal resistivity.
  • Page 13 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 2. KD2 Pro Overview Thirty seconds are allowed for temperature equilibration before heating starts, so the entire time for a measurement is the time set here plus 30 seconds. Sixty temperature readings are taken during the read time, so the number entered here is also the number of seconds between temperature readings.
  • Page 14 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 2. KD2 Pro Overview KD2 Pro Sensor Compatibility Sample Material KS-1 TR-1 SH-1 Low viscosityliquids Best (e.g. water) High viscosity liquids Best (e.g. glycerol, oil) Insulation and insulating Best materials Moist soil Best Dry soil, powders, granu-...
  • Page 15 KD2 Pro applies a relatively large heating current to the sen- sor during a measurement resulting in greater sensor heating. In low power mode, the KD2 Pro applies a small current to the sensor resulting in less heating of the sensor. The KS-1 sensor defaults to low power mode, while the TR-1 and SH-1 needles both default to high power mode.

  • Page 16: Installing The Sensors

    Installing the Sensors The KD2 Pro’s three sensors have been designed for ease of installation and use. The following considerations should be observed when installing the sensors.
  • Page 17 Measurements In Concrete If the KD2 Pro is to be used for measurements in concrete, it is preferrable to mold pilot holes in wet concrete using the pilot pins furnished with your KD2 Pro using the following procedure.

  • Page 18: Measurements In Concrete

    KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 2. KD2 Pro Overview If measurements need to be made in concrete that has already been cured, holes can be drilled into the sample using the pro- cedure outlined above in the section titled “Installing the Sen- sors.”...

  • Page 19: The Menus

    The KD2 Pro features four main menus: MAIN, DATA, CONFIG, and AUTO (respectively). These menus access the KD2 Pro’s features, and have been designed for ease of use. Here is a more detailed description of each menu. The Main Menu The Main Menu is responsible for taking measurements from whatever medium a sensor is inserted into.

  • Page 20: Taking A Measurement

    The purpose of the Main Menu is to take measurements. The next section will explain how to do this. Taking a Measurement It is easy to take measurements with the KD2 Pro. Do the fol- lowing to make a measurement: NOTE: If the temperature of the sample is different from...
  • Page 21 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 3. The Menus 3. When the KD2 Pro turns on, you should be in the Main Menu. If not, press the Menu key until you arrive there. Press Enter to begin the measurement. 4. An icon will appear on the left and right side of the screen.
  • Page 22 If this should hap- pen, you may still take readings but you will be unable to save them to the KD2 Pro. How to annotate a reading: When you select the “Anno- tate” option, you will see a series of lines with an arrow above and below the first position.

  • Page 23: The Data Menu

    The Data Menu The Data Menu allows you to view stored data, download data to a computer, and erase the data from your KD2 Pro. It also displays how many readings have been recorded out of the total 4,095 that can be stored.
  • Page 24 KD2 Pro Utility to download data instead of the download option on the KD2 Pro. If you are unable to use the KD2 Pro Utility, you can use ter- minal software to transfer the data from your KD2 Pro to your computer.

  • Page 25: The Configuration Menu

    4. Select the appropriate option from the Download menu in the KD2 Pro. ERASE: This will erase all stored data on your KD2 Pro. WARNING! This feature will completely erase all data on your KD2 Pro, and once activated, it cannot be...
  • Page 26 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 3. The Menus DATE: To change the current date, 1. Press Enter to select the date display. 2. The current date will appear in the center of the screen, in day/month/year format. A pair of arrows will be present above and below the first number.
  • Page 27 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 3. The Menus 4. Press Enter to move to the next number, and repeat step #3. If you need to return to the previous number, press Escape. 5. When you have finished changing the last number, press Enter and you will be returned to the Configuration Menu.
  • Page 28 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 3. The Menus with out saving the changes. For more information refer to the read time section in chapter 2. POWER MODE: Allows you to change the power mode to be used for each sensor type. Do not change the power mode from the default settings unless you are an expert user and are making a specialized measurement.

  • Page 29: The Auto Mode

    KD2 Pro. The Auto Mode The Auto Mode allows you to set up the KD2 Pro to take readings automatically. You can select a measurement time in intervals of 15 minutes. The reading will be taken in the cur- rently selected units from the Main Menu, and will begin as soon as you select this option.
  • Page 30 6. Indicates the length of the reading in minutes 7. Measurement interval. This time interval can be set either in the CONFIG menu or in the KD2 Pro Utility. NOTE: When the spinner icon is visible, press the arrow keys to change the interval time.

  • Page 31: The Kd2 Pro Utility

    KD2 Pro. Use this program to download measurement data to your computer, erase measurement data stored in the KD2 Pro, set the date and time, configure the KD2 Pro to take readings automatically, and see information about your KD2 Pro.

  • Page 32: Installation

    This will transfer all saved measurement data on the KD2 Pro to your computer. Do the following: 1. Make sure the RS-232 cable is connected to the KD2 Pro, and to a COM port on your computer. 2. Open the KD2 Pro Utility.
  • Page 33 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 4. The KD2 Pro Utility each measurement, including per-second readings. If you encounter an error message after clicking this button, please refer to the Troubleshooting section for instructions. Name your data file, select where it will be saved to, and in what format.

  • Page 34: How Saved Data Are Organized

    /s or ft /hr (dual-nee- dle sensors only). • Err- Quality of fit of the data to the KD2 Pro theoretical model. • Temp(0) - Initial temperature of the sample as °C or °F. • Sample ID - If saved with the measurement.
  • Page 35 • Current - as amps. The next 60 columns in the row hold the individual tempera- ture reading the KD2 Pro uses to calculate the thermal proper- ties of the sample. The data are shown as °C or °F. Note that the time interval between the 60 individual tempera- ture readings is scaled according to the read time selected.

  • Page 36: Erasing Your Data

    4. A progress bar shows the status of the erase process. Setting the Date and Time You can set the KD2 Pro’s date and time by selecting “Set KD2 Pro Date/Time...” from the Actions Menu. This will automatically sync the KD2 Pro’s date and time to your com- puter’s time.

  • Page 37: Setting The Auto Mode

    To configure Auto Mode with the KD2 Pro Utility: 1. Connect your KD2 Pro to an available serial communica- tion port on your computer. Select the name of your cho- sen serial port in the “Use computer communication port”...
  • Page 38 The KD2 pro will store up to 4095 readings. Experiment Duration This is the total amount of time that your KD2 Pro will oper- ate in Auto Mode, according to your measurement interval and number of measurements selected. This gives you an idea of how long the total Auto Mode experiment time will take.
  • Page 39 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 4. The KD2 Pro Utility KD2 Pro Date/Time This shows the current time in your KD2 Pro. If the time is not correct, click the Cancel button, then choose “Set KD2 Pro Date/Time...” from the Actions Menu.

  • Page 40: Viewing Kd2 Pro Information

    The Menus and Their Functions The KD2 Pro Utility features four main menus. These allow you to change program settings, as well as settings on the KD2 Pro. Below is a description of each menu and their func- tions. File Download Summary Data/Download All Data.
  • Page 41 Measurement Units: If you select “Use KD2 Pro Settings,” this will save all downloaded measurement data in the units used on the KD2 Pro. You can also choose to override the set- tings in the KD2 Pro and save your measurement data using either SI (metric) or English units.
  • Page 42 2. Communications Preferences - Communications tab Command Retries: If you encounter difficulty communicat- ing with your KD2 Pro, you can set the number of times the computer should automatically try re-sending commu- nications commands (up to 10). Maximum Baud Rate: You can set the maximum baud rate for talking to your KD2 Pro.
  • Page 43 Preferences - Application tab Automatic Internet Version Checks: If you select this option, the KD2 Pro Utility will automatically check for a newer version using Decagon’s internet version check engine. It will notify you when a newer version is available when your computer is connected to the internet.
  • Page 44 Appendix B for more information. Check for Utility Updates... If you select this function when con- nected to the internet, the KD2 Pro Utility will check for a newer version using Decagon's internet version check engine. It will notify you if a newer version is available.

  • Page 45: Troubleshooting

    Communication tab. Enable the check box at the bottom of the screen. Enabling this option may find other serial ports that are not available for use by the KD2 Pro Utility (for example, modems installed in your computer). PROBLEM: Downloading data stops in the middle with an error message saying the Utility lost connection with the KD2 Pro.
  • Page 46 4. The KD2 Pro Utility SOLUTION: A noisy serial connection can disrupt the con- nection between the Utility and the KD2 Pro. If this error happens regularly, you can try setting your baud rate lower or increasing the number of times a command is sent to the KD2 Pro.

  • Page 47: Good Practices

    KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 5. Good Practices 5. Good Practices The quality of the measurements you get with the KD2 Pro can be strongly affected by your experimental technique. The following suggestions will help you to recognize and avoid pit- falls in data collection so that the data you obtain can be as accurate as possible.
  • Page 48 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 5. Good Practices b. Allow time between readings for temperatures to re- equilibrate. Fifteen minutes between readings isn't too much. c. If measurements are made in an oven or a freezer, make sure the sample temperature is relatively con- stant before the measurement starts.
  • Page 49 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 5. Good Practices dry granular materials and powders have large contact resis- tance. Always use the TR-1 or SH-1 sensor in these types of materials. Avoid convection in liquid samples. See the next chapter for a more detailed explanation about this.

  • Page 50: Measuring Liquids

    KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 6. Measuring Liquids 6. Measuring Liquids The KD2 Pro KS-1 sensor is specifically designed to measure thermal conductivity/resistivity of liquid samples. However, measuring thermal properties of liquids is difficult, and great care must be taken for accurate and repeatable results. For an...
  • Page 51 HVAC system and any other lab equipment that might cause vibrations. The KD2 Pro KS-1 sensor is specially designed to add a very small amount of heat to the sample during measurement and thereby minimize problems with free convection. In high vis- cosity liquids (e.g.

  • Page 52: Liquid Sample Temperature Control

    According to several researchers who use the KD2 Pro with liquid samples, the best method for controlling temperature of liquid samples is as follows.
  • Page 53 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 6. Measuring Liquids 1. Heat or cool the sample (with sensor inserted) in a water bath. 2. Once the sample temperature has equilibrated to the desired water bath temperature, turn the water bath off. 3. Allow enough time for the water bath to become abso- lutely still, and make the measurement.

  • Page 54: Care And Maintenance

    You will need to contact Decagon to obtain a replacement sensor. Changing the Batteries Although the KD2 Pro has been designed to provide an excel- lent battery lifespan, the batteries will eventually require changing. When this happens, a low-battery indicator will appear in the upper left hand corner of the screen.

  • Page 55: Troubleshooting

    SOLUTION: Make sure the connection between the sensor and the KD2 Pro is secure, and that none of the connector pins are bent or broken off. If the KD2 Pro still fails to recog- nize the sensor, the sensor may be malfunctioning. Contact Decagon for more assistance.
  • Page 56 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 7. Care and Maintenance Note: After repeated use the septum may begin to leak. Replacement septums have been provided with your instrument. To replace simply remove the cap, press the old septum out and press new one back in.
  • Page 57 The reading should corre- spond to the value recorded on your Certificate of Quality Assurance. At the request of multiple KD2 Pro users, we have character- ized the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity of the black plastic TR-1 verification cylinder. Measurements...

  • Page 58: Kd2 Pro Theory

    KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 8. KD2 Pro Theory 8. KD2 Pro Theory Transient line heat source methods have been used for over 50 years to measure thermal conductivity of porous materials. Typically a probe for this measurement consists of a needle with a heater and temperature sensor inside.
  • Page 59 The KD2 Pro resolves 0.001 C in temper- ature. It uses special algorithms to analyze measurements made during a heating and a cooling interval. It also uses spe- cial algorithms to separate out the effects of the heat pulse from ambient temperature changes.
  • Page 60 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 8. KD2 Pro Theory by the heat per unit length, q. The resulting data are fit to the following equations using a non-linear least squares proce- dure.     T    ---- - --------------- - –...
  • Page 61 (the single needle problem is a perfect example of a bad non-linear least squares problem) but the dual needle problem typically works well. Finding just three model parameters is quick in the KD2 Pro. Single Needle Algorithm Heat is applied to a single needle for a time, t...
  • Page 62 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 8. KD2 Pro Theory is the ambient temperature during heating (which could include some offset for contact resistance and the heating element being adjacent to the temperature sensor inside the needle), m is the rate of background temperature drift, and is the slope of a line relating temperature rise to logarithm of temperature.
  • Page 63 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual 8. KD2 Pro Theory can give a wide range of results depending on the starting point of the iteration because the single needle problem is sus- ceptible to getting stuck in local minima. The linear least squares computation is also very fast.

  • Page 64: Further Reading

    KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual Further Reading Further Reading Bristow, K.L., White, R.D., Kluitenberg, G.J., 1994. “Compari- son of Single and Dual Probes for Measuring Soil Ther- mal Properties with Transient Heating.” Australian Journal of Soil Research, 32:447-464. Bruijn, P.J, van Haneghem, I.A., Schenk, J. 1983. “An Improved Nonsteady-State Probe Method for Measure- ments in Granular Materials.”...

  • Page 65: Table Of Thermal Units

    KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual Appendix A Appendix A Table of Thermal Units Column 1: To convert Column 2: To convert Column 1 into English Unit Column 2 into SI Unit Column 2, Column 1, multiply by: multiply by: heat Joule 0.000952...

  • Page 66: Send Feedback To Decagon

    KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual Appendix B Appendix B Send Feedback to Decagon Decagon Software makes it easy to send feedback, bug reports, and feature requests to Decagon or your Decagon Distributor. Choose “Send Feedback to Decagon...” from the help menu. This opens the window shown below.

  • Page 67: Kd2 Pro Ce Compliance

    KD2 Pro Year of First Manufacture: 2006 This is to certify that the KD2 Pro Thermal Properties Meter, manufactured by Decagon Devices, Inc., a corporation based in Pullman, WA, USA meets or exceeds the standards for CE compliance as per the Council Directives noted above. All instruments are built at the factory at Decagon and pertinent testing documentation is freely available for verification.

  • Page 68: Index

    KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual Index Index About screen 25 Accuracy 4 Annotate 18 Auto clock synchronize 40 Auto mode 25 Auto mode setting 33 Batteries changing 50 life span 4 Baud rate 39 CE compliance 63 Clock auto synchronize 40...
  • Page 69 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual Index Data saving 18 storage capacity 4 Date setting 22, 32 Declaration of conformity 63 Download procedure 20 Download all 20 Download summary 20 Downloading data 28 Erase data 21 Erasing data 21, 32 Error log file 40 Force find all comm.
  • Page 70 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual Index downloading data 28 edit menu 37 erasing data 32 error log file 40 help menu 40 maximum baud rate 39 measurement units for data files 37 retreiving status information 36 saved data organization 30 setting date & time 32...
  • Page 71 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual Index R2 17 Read Time 9, 24 References 60 Repair Costs 3 instructions 3 Save 18 Saving data 30 Seller’s liability 2 Sensors accuracy 4 cleaning 50 installing 13 types 7 verifying performance 51 Septum 52...
  • Page 72 KD2 Pro Operator’s Manual Index setting 23 View readings 19 Warranty 2...

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