FlexStream™ Gas Standards Generator

The FlexStream™ is ideally suited for creating trace concentration - ppm, ppb, and pptr - mixtures. The FlexStream uses KIN-TEK Trace Source™ disposable, refillable and diffusion permeation tubes for over 500 chemicals.

The FlexStream is composed of one or more of the following modules, depending on application requirements:

• FlexStream Base module (shown above and below): The "Base" module is required in every FlexStream system. This module provides (a) front panel color touchscreen, (b) permeation tube oven, (c) primary dilution mass flow rate and (d) Ethernet and serial RS-232 connectivity to an external computer.
  
  
• FlexStream Auxiliary Permeation Oven Module (PM) (shown below): Additional permeation tube ovens allow generation of a multi-component gas stream for cases in which (a) the tubes must be maintained at different temperatures, (b) differing permeation technologies (disposable tubes vs. refillable tubes) are required, (c) more components are needed than can be held in a single oven, or (d) for applications in which various components will be switched in and out of the gas stream. Up to 5 PM oven modules can be added wherein each oven can hold up to eight disposable permeation tubes or one factory-refillable tube. An added benefit is that any combination of ovens can be kept on standby to keep various tubes at temperature while not adding their emission to the output gas stream.
  
  
• FlexStream Gas Feed Permeation Oven Module (GF) (not shown): Most applications can use liquid-filled permeation tubes. However, some compounds (e.g., NO, CO, O2, etc.) have very high vapor pressures and require a special mechanism to achieve desired concentration levels. The Gas Feed Module contains the same oven as an auxiliary Permeation Oven Module (PM) but with additional controls that allow the customer to refill a "customer-refillable" gas-fed permeation tube and to set the operating pressure of the tube. These are special tubes, typically made of stainless steel. Prior to shipment, KIN-TEK determines the tube membrane's certified emission rate for one or more components. In use, the customer typically supplies component gas from a cylinder to initially fill the tube and to periodically recharge it.
  
  
• FlexStream Secondary Dilution module (SD) (shown below): The SD module extends the range of concentration attained from permeation tubes by providing an additional stage of dilution of the gas stream. Very low concentrations - ppb or ppt - can be generated depending on the emission rate of the tubes and the flow rate range of the primary and secondary dilution mass flow controllers. Overall dilution ratios of 10,000:1 can be achieved.
  
  
• FlexStream Interface Module (IM) (not shown): The Interface Module contains gas stream interfacing components needed to assure constant gas stream output conditions independent of variations in flow and pressure. The Interface Module is ideal for applications where flow capacity of end use is limited (e.g., filling of gas bags), or when back pressure is required to introduce the output gas stream sample to the device under test. Controls are provided on the front panel for adjusting the output pressure.
  
  
• FlexStream Modular Gas Standards Generator (shown below): The FlexStream Base module and any additional modules can be packaged in stand-alone carrying cases or packaged in one or two 3-module expansion cases as shown below (unused module slots in the expansion case are filled with blank panels). The modules are electronically connected to each other by a short cable on the rear panel.
  

FlexBase Module (click image to enlarge)	FlexPM Module (click image to enlarge)	FlexSD Module (click image to enlarge)
Brochure (pdf) (also see "Specifications" tab)	Brochure (pdf)	Brochure (pdf)
FlexStream Modular Gas Standards Generator (click image to enlarge)

The FlexStream™ can also be locally or remotely monitored and controlled by a PC or process computer using ModBus® connectivity. This connectivity allows reading and writing of oven temperature, temperature alarm limits, mode of the instrument (standby, zero, and span), permeation tube properties (component name, emission rate, and certification temperature), flow rate(s), target concentration unit and value, and so forth.

KIN-TEK supplies a Windows® application named FlexLink™ with each FlexBase module. This program controls and monitors the FlexSteam by an RS-232 serial or Ethernet link between the PC and the FlexStream. Using FlexLink, the FlexStream can also be controlled and monitored over the internet (or company intranet). The FlexLink executable software is supplied as a standard item with each FlexStream. Although FlexLink is written in National Instruments LabView®, LabView is not required to be installed on the host PC. Scroll up and click the "FlexLink Software" tab to see more features of the software.

KIN-TEK also provides Modbus driver software free-of-charge. This driver is a LabView VI program for interfacing the FlexStream to a LabView program and is located on the FlexLink executable software CD. If you would like to review a copy of the driver, send your request to KIN-TEK's Software Development department at the "Contact us" link in the sidebar above.

FlexStream features:

• Complete, integrated, ready-to-use turnkey system
• Automated operation with direct readout of concentration in units of ppm, ppb or ppt
• Modes of Operation: standby, zero, span and purge
• Touch screen interface for local setup and front panel control
• Modbus connectivity for integration with other computer systems for local or remote control
• Designed for expandability
  
• Flow path designed for maximum flexibility with minimum error
• Flow path suitable for reactive gases - mixture contacts only glass, Teflon® and stainless steel (other materials available)
  
• Accepts disposable permeation tubes, diffusion tubes, ultra-high rate liquid filled tubes, wafer tubes, and prefilled gas fed permeation tubes
• Accepts up to 8 disposable tubes per oven with maximum 6 inch length x 1/4 inch diameter (KIN-TEK HRT, SRT and EL tubes)
• Accepts one of KIN-TEK refillable LFH, ULED and 57 Series tubes per oven

Please scroll up and click the "Specifications" tab to see more features and specifications of the FlexStream.

KIN-TEK supplies a Windows® executable program named “FlexLink™” to monitor and control the generation of multi-component concentrations with the FlexStream™ gas standards generator. The FlexLink program is provided on CD with shipment of each FlexStream instrument. (Note: FlexLink is not required in order to operate the FlexStream instrument.)

FlexLink communicates with the FlexStream using the industry standard Modbus RTU protocol over serial (RS-232) and/or Ethernet (TCP/IP) physical interfaces.  FlexLink can also interface to RS-485 with addition of an RS-232 to RS-485 converter (not supplied).

The program continually reads data from the FlexStream, presents the data in various indicators on the PC computer, and allows the user, via the PC, to control the standby, zero and span functions of the FlexStream. Additional functions include viewing the FlexStream configuration, setting oven temperature setpoints and alarm limits, uploading and downloading permeation tube properties to/from the FlexStream and logging acquired data to files.

An added benefit of using Ethernet (TCP/IP) is that the FlexLink program can be run in another room, or even off site, for applications in which the operator needs to be removed from the gas standard generation function. Plus, while one PC may be controlling the FlexStream locally with an RS-232 serial link, another PC may be monitoring the FlexStream remotely via the Ethernet link.

In Figure 1, a target concentration of 1 ppm has been requested. Figure 2 shows the actual generated concentration results for eight permeation tubes that have been loaded into the FlexStream Base module. Figure 3 shows the logged data results.

Figure 1 Setting the Target Concentration

Figure 2 Generated Multi-component Gas Stream Concentrations

Figure 3 Data Log

 

 

Principle of Operation	FlexStream Base Module
Dilution of constant component vapor emission from permeation or      diffusion tubes
Delivery of precise, adjustable, low concentration dynamically blended      gas mixtures. Trace concentrations - ppmv, ppbv, pptv
Front panel touchscreen for oven temperature and dilution flow rate      adjustment and standby, zero and span selection
External PC monitoring and control via industry-standard      Modbus® RTU communications protocol and Ethernet or serial      RS-232 connectivity
Permeation Tube Oven
Construction - high thermal mass oven with electronic PID control	Vertical orientation
Oven temperature range (heat only)	30-150 °C
NIST-traceable oven temperature
Oven setpoint resolution and control	±0.01 °C
Temperature digital indication and adjust via front panel
Temperature digital indication and adjust via computer interface
Over-temperature detection with audible alarm and oven power removal
Diluent Gas (customer-supplied)
Uses inert, non-reactive, non-hazardous dry gas (Nitrogen, zero air,      Argon, etc.)
Mass flow controller subsystem is factory-calibrated in Nitrogen; contact      factory for calibration in other type gas
FlexSteam accepts a gas correction factor (GCF) for most gases to auto-adjust      the dilution mass flow rate when a diluent gas other than Nitrogen is used
Using the supplied FlexLink™ PC-based software, the mass flow controller      subsystem can be easily calibrated with up to 10 points in other diluent gases      (Customer supplies the flow standard)
Primary Dilution Mass Flow Controller
Standard mass flow controller range	0.25 to 5 lpm
Optional mass flow controller ranges available (0.5-10, 0.1-1, 0.1-0.5 lpm)
Mass flow rate accuracy (with multi-point calibration)	Lesser of ±1.5% Reading and ±1% FS
Mass flow rate digital indication and control via front panel
Mass flow rate digital indication and control via computer interface
Mass flow controller calibration method: piece-wise linear fit	up to 10 calibration points
Accepts Vapor Emissions from the Following Devices*
Liquid-filled disposable tubes up to 15 cm in length (maximum of 8 tubes)
Liquid-filled high rate (LFH) permeation tubes (maximum of 1 tube)
Factory pre-filled gas-fed permeation tubes (maximum of 1 tube)
Diffusion tubes (maximum of 4 tubes)
*Note: A single oven can hold only one of the above tube types at a time
Standard Component Flow Path
Component contacts only glass, Teflon® and stainless steel
Glass permeation tube holder
Suitable for reactive component gases
Optional Component Flow Path (specified at time of order)
Heated output lines
Stainless steel
Electro-polished stainless steel
Sulfinert-coated stainless steel
Teflon only
Teflon permeation tube holder
Standard Modes of Operation
Standby (oven venting at approx 75 cc/min flow rate)
Zero (with user-specified flow rate)
Span-by-flow (with user-specified flow rate or concentration)
Span-by-concentration (with user-specified target concentration)
Purge
Auto-calculates flow setpoint based on target concentration,      tube emission rate and oven temperature
Automatically updates touchscreen with up to 8 generated concentration values
Output Concentration Range
Below 1 ppb to over 1000 ppm depending on tube emission rate      and dilution flow rate; low ppb and ppt concentrations with secondary dilution
User selects units of ppm, ppb or ppt
Interfaces
Local interface - color touch screen display with virtual keypad
Remote interfaces - Ethernet (standard) and serial RS-232 (standard)
RS-232 conversion to RS-485 via customer-supplied converter (optional)
Communications Protocol	Modbus RTU
PC-based Software
KIN-TEK FlexLink™ software CD shipped with FlexStream Base module
FlexStream Labview® Modbus driver on FlexLink™ CD
LabView®-based starter software with source provided upon request
Expandability
Additional permeation ovens (via up to 5 FlexPM modules)
Customer-refillable gas-fed permeation oven option (via FlexGF modules)
Secondary diluition flow rate option (via FlexSD module); other ranges available	0.5 to 5 lpm
Overall output gas stream dilution ratio with both primary and secondary dilution	Up to 10,000 to 1
Humidified gas module option (contact factory for more information)
Gas stream output Interface module option (via FlexIM module);      If FlexSD secondary dilution module is installed, subtract 10 psig (69 kPa)	ambient to 30 psig (207 kPa)
Instrument Housing (specified when ordering)
Carrying case (standard)
Expansion chassis (option); desktop or rack-mount; 2 cases maximum	3 modules per case
Maximum number of modules in a single FlexStream system	6
Power Requirements (specified when ordering)
115 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 2 A
230 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1 A
Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions (Base module as packaged in carrying case); approximate;      add 3.5 in (8.3 cm) to Depth for front panel inlet filter clearance	7.5 W x 13.5 H x 20 D inch 18.4 W x 34.3 H x 50.8 D cm
Weight (Base module as packaged in carrying case); approximate	27 lb (12.2 kg)
Certifications
European CE Mark (230 VAC, 50 Hz): FlexBase, FlexPM, FlexSD
NRTL (site-specific)
CSA (site-specific)
Speciality Applications (Please contact the Factory)
Special diluent (carrier) gases other than inert gases
Trace moisture
Chemical compatibility issues
Heat tracing requirements
Other

Principle of Operation	491MB Base Module	FlexStream Base Module
Dilution of constant component vapor emission from      permeation or diffusion tubes
Delivery of precise, adjustable, low concentration      dynamically blended gas mixtures. Trace concentrations -      ppmv, ppbv, pptv
Oven temperature and dilution flow rate adjustment and      standby, zero, span selection	Manual controls	Touchscreen
External PC monitoring and control via industry-standard      Modbus® RTU communications protocol and Ethernet or serial      RS-232 connectivity
Permeation Tube Oven
Construction - high thermal mass oven with electronic PID control	Vertical orientation	Vertical orientation
Oven temperature range (heat only)	30-150 °C	30-150 °C
NIST-traceable oven temperature
Oven setpoint resolution and control	±0.1 °C	±0.01 °C
Temperature digital indication and adjust via front panel
Over-temperature detection with audible alarm and oven      power removal
Temperature digital indication and adjust via computer       interface
Diluent Gas (customer-supplied)
Carrier flow rate across oven	manually-set	fixed
Uses inert, non-reactive, non-hazardous dry gas      (Nitrogen, zero air, Argon, etc.)
Mass flow subsystem is factory-calibrated in Nitrogen;      contact factory for calibration in other type gas
Accepts a gas correction factor (GCF) for most gases to      auto-adjust the dilution mass flow rate when a diluent gas      other than Nitrogen is used
Using the supplied FlexLink™ PC-based software (FlexStream      only), the mass flow controller subsystem can be easily calibrated      with up to 10 points in other diluent gases (Customer supplies the      flow standard)
Primary Dilution Flow Rate
Dilution flow rate type	Mass flow meter	Mass flow meter and controller
Standard dilution flow rate range	0.25 to 5 lpm	0.25 to 5 lpm
Optional flow rate ranges available	10, 1, 0.5 lpm	10, 1, 0.5 lpm
Flow rate accuracy	±1% FS	Lesser of ±1.5% Reading and ±1% FS
Flow rate calibration method	Analog zero/span adjust	Piece-wise linear fit of up to 10 calibration points
Flow rate indication via front panel
Flow rate control via front panel	Flow rate set by manual valve from front panel	Flow rate set from touch screen target flow or target concentration
Flow rate digital indication and control via computer      interface
Flow rate can be auto-set based on target concentration
Accepts Vapor Emissions from the Following Devices*
Liquid-filled disposable tubes up to 15 cm in length      (maximum of 8 tubes)
Liquid-filled high rate (LFH) permeation tubes (maximum      of 1 tube)
Factory pre-filled gas-fed permeation tubes (maximum      of 1 tube)
Diffusion tubes (maximum of 4 tubes)
*Note: A single oven can hold only one of the above tube types at a time
Standard Component Flow Path
Component contacts only glass, Teflon® and stainless      steel
Glass permeation tube holder
Suitable for reactive component gases
Optional Component Flow Path
Heated output lines
Stainless steel
Electro-polished stainless steel
Sulfinert-coated stainless steel
Teflon only
Teflon permeation tube holder
Standard Modes of Operation
Standby
Zero
Span-by-flow	Manual valve set and digital indication	Touchscreen flow setpoint and digital indication
Span-by-concentration (user-specified target concentration)
Auto-calculates flow setpoint based on target      concentration, tube emission rate and oven temperature	Manual Calculation
Automatically updates touchscreen with up to eight      generated concentration values
Output Concentration Range
Below 1 ppb to over 1000 ppm depending on tube      emission rate and dilution flow rate; low ppb and ppt with      secondary dilution
User selects units of ppm, ppb or ppt
Interfaces
Local human interface - color touch screen with virtual      keypad
Remote computer interfaces (standard Ethernet & RS-232)
Communications Protocol		Modbus RTU
PC-based Software
KIN-TEK FlexLink™ software CD shipped with instrument
FlexStream Labview® Modbus driver on FlexLink™ CD
LabView®-based starter software with source available
Expandability
Additional permeation ovens
Customer-refillable gas-fed permeation oven option
Secondary diluition flow rate option; other ranges      available	0.5 to 5 lpm	0.5 to 5 lpm
Overall output gas stream dilution ratio with both primary      and secondary dilution	Up to 10,000:1	Up to 10,000:1
Direct gas blending module option
Humidified gas module option		Contact factory
Gas stream output Interface module option;      If secondary dilution module is installed, subtract 10 psig (69 kPa)	ambient to 40 psig (276 kPa)	ambient to 30 psig (207 kPa)
Instrument Housing (specified when ordering)
Carrying case (standard)
Expansion chassis (option); desktop or rack-mount;      2 cases maximum	3 modules per case	3 modules per case
Maximum number of modules in a single system	6	6
Power Requirements (specified when ordering)
115 VAC, 50/60 Hz
230 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions (Base module in carrying case)	Similar	Similar
Weight (Base module in carrying case)	Similar	Similar
Certifications
European CE Mark (230 VAC, 50 Hz)
NRTL (site-specific)	not tested
CSA (site-specific)	not tested
UL (site-specific)		not tested
Speciality Applications (Please contact the Factory)
Special diluent (carrier) gases other than inert gases
Trace moisture
Chemical compatibility issues
Heat tracing requirements
Other