MADDTechnologies sarl Instruction manual EasyFlow MADDTechnologies sàrl – Avenue des Sports 42 – CH-1400 Yverdon-les-Bains – Switzerland Tel: +41 24 445 31 16 – Fax: +41 24 445 21 23 – Email: info@madd.ch – www.madd.
Contents Contents ..................................................................................................................... 3 Warranty..................................................................................................................... 3 Gauging method by tracer dilution ................................................................................. 4 Principle ..................................................................................................................
Contents At the delivery of a device EasyFlow, the package contains the following staff: • A bag with shoulder strap • Device EasyFlow with probe and 3 alkaline batteries 1,5V • 3 calibration doses of 20 millilitres • A CD "EasyFlow" contening: o The software EasyViewer o The instruction manual of the device EasyFlow o An application note about the gauging method by tracer integration o A demo video of a gauging with the device SalinoMADD • A serial cable for the communication between EasyFlow a
Gauging method by tracer dilution The device EasyFlow uses the tracer dilution method to determine the stream flow of the measured watercourse. Principle The main principle of this method consists to inject into a watercourse a concentrated solution of tracer. Downstream, at a distance large enough from the injection point for a good mix with the river water, the tracer concentration is measured during the passage of the tracer could.
Presentation of the device General information The device EasyFlow is delivered in a very useful carrying bag with shoulder strap, so it can be taken away on the field in best conditions. It is recommended to replace the device and the probe in the bag after its use; this will guaranty its protection. Although it has been designed to withstand rough working conditions, it is a high precision instrument which should be protected from shocks.
Functions of the buttons The device EasyFlow possesses two buttons placed on the front panel: • The button ON/SELECT permits to switch on the device and to change the selection in the menu. • The button ENTER permits to enter into a menu or to go to the next step. Main menu 2 seconds after the presentation of the version and the batteries tension, the main menu appears. It is the possible to select one of the seven menus by pressing the button SELECT. To enter into the selected menu, press on ENTER.
Multimetre mode This function permits to use the EasyFlow for punctual water quality measurements. From the main menu, choose with the button SELECT the mode Multimetre then press the button ENTER. At this moment the device measures continuously the salinity and the temperature. Press on SELECT to switch from salinity measurements to the temperature. To go back to the main menu, just press on ENTER. In this mode, without touching any button, the device will automatically shut down after 1 minute.
Calibration of the probe Cleaning of the probe Ensure that the probe is clean before starting calibration. Clear the electrodes from calcareous deposits using a specific cleaning agent (Durgol, cleaning vinegar etc.). To do so, remove the protective cap covering the glass tube around the electrodes for easy access. Pour cleaning agent into a recipient up to the level necessary for complete immersion of the probe's glass part which should remain in the cleaning liquid for about 20 minutes.
At the end of the calibration, it is still possible to abandon the calibration procedure by pressing SELECT. If the calibration was done correctly, press ENTER to save the calibration parameters in non-volatile memory, so these values will be maintained during the replacement of the batteries.
Data acquisition on site Before starting the acquisition Before starting the acquisition, make sure that the probe has reached the water's temperature. The water salinity is directly dependent on the water temperature which is measured to correct the salinity and thus bring it to a standard 20° C. Just use the Multimetre mode to control the temperature stability.
End of data acquisition During the whole measuring procedure, the EasyFlow keeps trying to detect the end of the salt cloud. The operator will follow the evolution as well. When the water salinity comes back to its initial value, the display will normally say End of cloud. The operator will ensure that the salinity has dropped to its initial value. If so he can stop the procedure by pressing ENTER. The EasyFlow does not switch off automatically unless the memory is exhausted.
Software EasyViewer Description The software EasyViewer permits the visualization of the gauging curve done with help of the device EasyFlow. The data are loaded from the device into the PC via the furnished serial cable and then presented as graph. The software also permits to: • Save the data in EVW file. • Modify the gauging parameters as the quantity of salt or the measurements interval. • Recalculate the flow rate value by acting directly on the graph.
Data transfer to PC The data transfer from the device EasyFlow to the PC is done with help of the serial cable furnished with the device. Procedure 1. Connect the serial cable to a serial port of the PC and at the connector of the EasyFlow. 2. Launch the application EasyViewer and verify that the configured serial port is the good one. 3. Switch on the device EasyFlow, select the Communication menu with the button SELECT and press ENTER. The device is now waiting on a communication from the PC.
Practical tips • Upon arrival at the measurement site, place immediately the probe into the water. It will then reach fast the water temperature. • Try to position the probe in a place where the water course is not too turbulent. Always avoid the phenomenon of cavitation around the probe. It can perturb the measurements and cause air bubbles between the probe's electrodes. • Before starting an acquisition, verify that the probe is at the waters temperature.
