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Systech 8701 Operator's Manual

Oxygen permeation analyser for bottles and packages
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MODEL 8701
OXYGEN PERMEATION
ANALYSER
FOR BOTTLES AND PACKAGES
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
Version 2.10
26
th
July 2021
Industrial Physics Ltd
Industrial Physics Product Integrity Ltd
68 Barnum Road
17 Thame Park Business Centre
Devens
Wenman Road
Massachusetts
Thame
01434-3508
Oxfordshire
OX9 3XA
E: PiSales@industrialphysics.com
E: PiSalesUK@industrialphysics.com
www.systechillinois.com

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  • Page 1 MODEL 8701 OXYGEN PERMEATION ANALYSER FOR BOTTLES AND PACKAGES OPERATOR’S MANUAL Version 2.10 July 2021 Industrial Physics Ltd Industrial Physics Product Integrity Ltd 68 Barnum Road 17 Thame Park Business Centre Devens Wenman Road Massachusetts Thame 01434-3508 Oxfordshire OX9 3XA E: PiSales@industrialphysics.com...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ......................... 1 1.1 BRAND............................1 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION ..................... 2 INSTALLATION ........................3 3.1 VOLTAGE INPUT/FUSE CARTRIDGE ..................3 3.2 CONNECTING GAS LINES ...................... 3 3.3 INSTALLATION OF COMM PORTS CONTROLLER ..............4 SOFTWARE ........................
  • Page 3 Issue Issue Date Changes 08-08-2008 Current Release Version Bryan Cummings 06-11-2009 Format changes, updated to mark II 8701. Nick Stuart 10-09-2009 Updated with additional info and new branding. Nick Stuart 01-12-2011 Changed to reflect latest version of software. Nick Stuart...

  • Page 4: Introduction

    We are proud of our active program of research and development. If you encounter any difficulties, we would like to hear about them. 1.1 BRAND Systech Illinois is a division of Industrial Physics. Throughout this manual, Industrial Physics, Industrial Physics Product Integrity, Systech, Systech Illionois and Systech Instruments are used interchangeably.

  • Page 5: Principle Of Operation

    Bottles / packages are fitted onto their respective adaptor using a fast-setting epoxy adhesive (3-5 minutes setting time). Adaptors are fitted onto the 8701 using a combination of “Star Screws” and VCR connections for the gas.

  • Page 6: Installation

    The fuses are rated 5A @ 250V and are a slow-blow type. Replace only with fuses of equivalent ratings. 3.2 CONNECTING GAS LINES The user must supply oxygen-free (99.999% zero grade) nitrogen to the instrument. Systech Instruments provides an oxygen trap with the analyser to remove traces of oxygen from the nitrogen.

  • Page 7: Installation Of Comm Ports Controller

    Panel – System - Hardware - Device Manager – COM ports”. If in any doubt, contact your IT department or Systech Customer Service Department. The Model 8701 Analyser software will look for installed units on COM ports 1 to 6. It should be noted that some USB to Serial RS232 adaptors will not work, and others give intermittent results.

  • Page 8: Software

    NOTE: The software will not run on Windows Vista or Windows 7. 4.2 INSTALLATION Insert the Model 8701 Memory Stick into an available USB slot on the control computer. Explore the memory stick and double click on Setup.exe. The following screen will appear.
  • Page 9 Click on “Yes” to continue the installation. The screen changes to the begin install as shown below. You can choose to install the program to a different directory or leave the default settings. Systech Instruments recommend you install the software in the default directory. Click “Next” to continue or “Cancel” to abort the installation process.
  • Page 10 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 The window below is displayed. The green bar indicates the status of the installation process. It should only take a few seconds. Once the bar reaches 100%, the installation is complete and you should be presented with the following screen.

  • Page 11: Connecting The Instrument

    4.3 CONNECTING THE INSTRUMENT A 9 pin D-type RS232 cable is provided to connect the Model 8701 to a computer. The connector can be found on the rear left of the instrument, just to the right of the power connector, labelled RS232 COMMS.

  • Page 12: Base Line And System Calibration

    Oxygen levels and these issues will require a base line retest. With the Model 8701 switched on, double click the 8701 program icon if you have installed a shortcut, otherwise select it from the program menu. The main menu screen will appear as shown or like that shown below: Note that the product images show both 8700 and 8701 variants.
  • Page 13 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 Click the “BASE LINE” button. The following “‘BASE LINE’ STARTER” screen will appear. Click on a ‘COM’ port button with a green square next to it, where an installed unit is found that is not in use. The ‘baseline screen’ will appear as shown below: Enter a value of at least 30 minutes in the PURGE TIME box.
  • Page 14 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 Click the ‘YES’ button to confirm. When the BASE LINE routine is started, nitrogen flows through the instrument to evacuate any residual oxygen. The flow is automatically set to high. The gas will bypass the sensor for a time equal to the PURGE TIME parameter set by the user, the bar located beneath PURGE MFC indicates the percentage of purging completed (see diagram below).
  • Page 15 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 When the PURGE TIME is within the last minute of purging the progress bar will turn yellow and the flow rate is adjusted automatically and controlled to 10 cc/min. After the PURGE TIME expires, then the BASE LINE process begins. The O ppm will now be plotted in 1-minute intervals on the graph.
  • Page 16 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 A window will appear asking the user to confirm the BASE LINE. Click “YES” and the instrument now has a re-established BASE LINE. At this point, the user may either click the STOP button or allow the BASE LINE to continue in order to verify the result has stabilised.

  • Page 17: History Of Baseline

    5.2 HISTORY OF BASELINE The history of baseline data (and calibration data) is saved under a directory called “8701 maintenance files”. This directory is created when the software is first installed and is saved on the ‘C’ drive. It is important to review this information from time to time as it can indicate the variation of the base line over time.

  • Page 18: System Calibration

    5.3 SYSTEM CALIBRATION The Model 8701 is calibrated at the factory prior to delivery. It is not necessary to perform a calibration during commissioning of the instrument but a calibration check is recommended every 9 – 12 months. When it becomes necessary to calibrate the instrument, one of two methods may be used, package (bottle) or calibration gas.

  • Page 19: Starting The Calibration

    NOTE: For gas calibration only, make sure you position the valve (CALIBRATE/NORMAL) at the rear of the instrument to the CALIBRATE position. Double click the 8701 program icon to start the software. At the main menu, click on the CALIBRATE button. “’CAL’ STARTER” screen will appear as shown below.
  • Page 20 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 For GAS calibration enter the ppm value of the calibration gas in the O2 (ppm) box; for PACKAGE calibration enter the OTR value of the package in the OTR box. Enter the purge time in the box in the PURGE MONITOR area, a suggested time would be 30 minutes.
  • Page 21 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 After the PURGE TIME expires, then the CAL process begins. The OTR will now be plotted in 1- minute intervals on the graph. The OTR value will change on the graph and, after time will become stabilised.

  • Page 22: History Of Calibration

    5.6 HISTORY OF CALIBRATION The history of calibration, (and baseline) data are saved under a directory called “8701 maintenance files”. This directory is created when the software is first installed. It is saved in the ‘C’ drive. It is important to review this information from time to time as it can indicate the variation of the calibration over time.

  • Page 23: Permeation Tests

    Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 PERMEATION TESTS The instrument should be used to measure the permeation of ‘similar’ packages. This will allow quicker test times. However if this is not the case then some adjustment to the individual test times must be used; more on this later.

  • Page 24: Bottle Preparation

    Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 6.1 BOTTLE PREPARATION It is suggested that bottles with an OTR in the same decade are tested together. In other words it is acceptable to test, at the same time, bottles that have an OTR of between 0.0001 and 0.0010 cc/package/day, or between 0.01 and 0.10 cc/package/day;...
  • Page 25 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 Next fit the purge pipe into the top of the bottle adaptor, as shown. Mix up some two part epoxy resin glue (part number 101 648, box of 50), following the manufacturer’s instructions. Scoop enough mixed epoxy to run a 2mm thick mixture around half the neck of the bottle;...

  • Page 26: Complete Packages Adaptor Preparation

    Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 6.2 COMPLETE PACKAGES ADAPTOR PREPARATION Complete packages are defined as packages that require testing with the seals intact. This also includes anything that will not readily fit onto a bottle adaptor; however this can be used for testing bottles, especially where the “seal”...
  • Page 27 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 If the VCR connections are over tightened then the soft washer can flatten and distort in such a way as it will allow air to get into the join. It will also make it difficult to remove.
  • Page 28 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 Fit the prepared package (bottle) onto the test adaptor base as shown. Tighten up the securing nut with a spanner of the correct size. The test can now be conducted in the normal manner.. Page...

  • Page 29: Delay Adaptor Fitting

    The delay adaptor (part number 870 052) is a fitting for the M8701 it enables a package test to be suspended, and indeed removed from an 8701. At a later date it can be refitted to the M8701 and the test re-started.

  • Page 30: Performing A Test

    Having glued all of the bottles/packages to the platen and waited for the glue to dry, double click the 8701 program icon if you have installed a shortcut; otherwise select it from the program menu. The main menu screen will appear as shown below.
  • Page 31 In the box under the “Select” button, enter or edit the description of the bottle or sample being tested. The description can be up to 28 characters long. Systech recommend that you include in this description the date the test is started. For convenience, every time a test page is opened, the description will be loaded with a station number and date which may be edited by the user.
  • Page 32 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 The ‘Purge Settings’, box is where you set the amount of time you wish to purge the sample under test. The ‘Purge Monitor’, PURGE PROGRESS shows the progress of the purge process, and the ‘Re-zeroing’ area (bottom right) enables or disables re-zeroing. This can be set during a test and does not necessarily have to be set prior to the test start.
  • Page 33 As such it does not permeate, as in a glass bottle its OTR can be taken as 0.0. Systech recommends that Re-zeroing be enabled to measure the high barrier bottles where the OTR is less than 0.0020 cc/package/day.
  • Page 34 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 It is a laborious task to enter the description of the bottles or packages, to set the cycle time and to determine the purge time. This may need to be done frequently and where the instrument may be used for quality control there is a feature where it is easy to save and recall these settings.

  • Page 35: Notes On Settle To Proceed And Auto Stop

    Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 7.0.1 Notes on Settle to Proceed and Auto Stop As has been noted before, a single oxygen sensor is used to measure the oxygen transfer rate (OTR) of up to 11 samples. A central valve switches the path for the carrier gas, exposing the sensor to one sample at a time.

  • Page 36: Starting A Test

    Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 7.1 STARTING A TEST Once the settings have been completed, click on the START TEST button to begin testing in the bottom left of the TESTS window. The following dialogue box will appear: Pressing the Yes button will bring up the following dialogue box.
  • Page 37 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 After the purge time the screen will automatically change to the TESTS window, which is shown below. Note that if the set up included all stations then graphics would be displayed for all the stations. In this example only the Station 0 and 2 were chosen for a test.
  • Page 38 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 After a period of time the tests page will look similar to the page below: By selecting on the PLOTS tab at the top, a graphical representation of each station can be viewed. The station undergoing measurement is highlighted in pale blue and the plot shown will be the previous station, which is shown because the ‘Plot’...
  • Page 39 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 graph will grow as the test continues, until the maximum time is reached which is 15,360 minutes. (10 days 16 hours), at which time the log file, if saved will continue to report and save readings, but the plots page will stop at the 15360 minutes point.

  • Page 40: Stopping A Test

    “SAVE TO:” file name (the default directory is C:\8701 data files\station n, where n is the relevant station number). To exit the TESTS window, click on the “X” in the upper right corner.

  • Page 41: Report Generation

    Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 REPORT GENERATION A report may be displayed and printed if the test results have been saved to a file. Click on the REPORTS button in the Main Menu to bring up the REPORTS page shown below.
  • Page 42 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 In this case Station 0 A list of saved data files is shown. Click on the file from which a report will be generated. Double clicking on the file will OPEN it. Otherwise, click once to select the file and then click the OPEN button to open it.
  • Page 43 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 The PLOTS page will display the data in graphical format. Click on the PRINT button to generate a hard copy of this report. Select your printer from the PRINT window and click on OK. Page...
  • Page 44 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 To choose a new data file to view, click on the “SETUP and PURGE” tab, then click on Select File. Navigate to the Data file folder of the station you are interested in. Double click on the data file.

  • Page 45: File Generation

    FILE GENERATION A number of files are generated as a result of user actions and will be useful to analyse results. These files may be required for further analysis by the engineering staff at Systech Illinois to help troubleshoot issues.

  • Page 46: Otr Readings Are High

    • Once the test is completed exit the software. • The file 8701diag.txt will be written to the “8701 diagnostics file” directory that was created on your hard drive when the software was installed. • E-mail this 8701diag.txt file to support.uk@systechillinois.com...
  • Page 47 Setting up the Adapters 870 051 Glue seal Adapter A blank can be a metal pot or a small glass jar. Systech will supply the adapter with a small metal pot. For spares: Metal pot Part Number: 101 791 Adapter shown without a blank 870 054 1/8”...
  • Page 48 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 The screen shot above may be typical. Notice that station 9 is very high, indicating a leak in that station. This has an effect on station 10, giving it a potentially false high reading and also effects the readings of the following stations 0, 1, 2 and 3.

  • Page 49: Otr Readings Are Low

    Continue the test for a few cycles until equilibrium and all the stations are reading 0.0000 ± 0.0002. If this is not the case then call your local Systech Illinois representative or call the factory. If the tests on the stations are correct and within the specification as above, stop the test and start a base line for 24 hours.

  • Page 50: Accessories And Replacement Parts

    11.0 ACCESSORIES AND REPLACEMENT PARTS Systech Instruments makes a number of useful accessories and replacement parts available to assist in applications and servicing. When ordering, please specify the model and serial number of your instrument and the description of items required as listed below:...
  • Page 51 Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 Page www.systechillinois.com...

  • Page 52: Maintenance And Warranty

    Warranty repair or replacement may be made without charge with the exceptions noted above. 12.3 RETURNING THE INSTRUMENT FOR REPAIR To return the unit to Systech Illinois for repair or service, please follow these steps. Fit a Swagelok blanking plug to the N...

  • Page 53: Technical Specifications

    Model 8701 Operator’s Manual v2.10 13.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 0.0004 – 2000 cc/package/day Measuring range: Test Chambers 1/8” in VCR Fittings Test Chamber fittings Supply pressure 4 - 6 barg (60 - 90 PSI) regulated Gas fittings 1/8” Swagelok® (supplied), 8mm OD Nitrogen Supply Industrial grade or better (99.99%)

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