3-9000-294 Rev G
3-9000-294 Rev G
3-9000-294 Rev G
Users Manual
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October 1992
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
NOTICE
DANIEL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND DANIEL FLOW PRODUCTS, INC. ("DANIEL") SHALL
NOT BE LIABLE FOR TECHNICAL OR EDITORIAL ERRORS IN THIS MANUAL OR
OMISSIONS FROM THIS MANUAL. DANIEL MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THIS MANUAL
AND, IN NO EVENT, SHALL DANIEL BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF
PRODUCTION, LOSS OF PROFITS, ETC.
COPYRIGHT © 1993
BY DANIEL FLOW PRODUCTS, INC.
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A.
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PREFACE i
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WARRANTY
Daniel Flow Products, Inc. ("Daniel") warrants all equipment manufactured by it to be free from
defects in workmanship and material, provided that such equipment was properly selected for the
service intended, properly installed, and not misused. Equipment which is returned,
transportation prepaid to Daniel within twelve (12) months of the date of shipment (eighteen (18)
months from date of shipment for destinations outside of the United States), which is found after
inspection by Daniel to be defective in workmanship or material, will be repaired or replaced at
Daniel’s sole option, free of charge, and return-shipped at lowest cost transportation. All
transportation charges and export fees will be billed to the customer. Warranties on devices
purchased from third party manufacturers not bearing a Daniel label shall have the warranty
provided by the third party manufacturer.
Extended warranty - Models 2470, 2480 and 2500 are warranted for a maximum of twenty-four
(24) months. The Danalyzer valves are warranted for the life of the instrument and the columns
for five years.
The warranties specified herein are in lieu of any and all other warranties, express or implied,
including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Daniel shall be liable only for loss or damage directly caused by its sole negligence. Daniel’s
liability for any loss or damage arising out of, connected with, or resulting from any breach
hereof shall in no case exceed the price allocable to the equipment or unit thereof which gives
rise to the claim. Daniel’s liability shall terminate one year after the delivery of the equipment
except for overseas deliveries and extended warranty products as noted above.
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ii PREFACE
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INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
GETTING STARTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.0 OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2 BACKUPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.0 OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
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3.3 MONITOR AUTOMATIC OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.5.3 NONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3.6.3 PARAMETER #3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
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iv TABLE OF CONTENTS
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3.6.5 COMPONENT DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
3.6.6 ANALOGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
3.6.7 ALARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
APPENDIX A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
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vi TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
The GCTALK Program provides for remote operation of a Daniel Chromatograph Controller
from the keyboard of a Personal Computer (IBM or compatible). GCTALK allows the user to:
(2) initiate and retrieve the results of analysis runs and calibration sequences
(3) generate reports on the PC printer identical to those normally generated on the
Controller local printer
GCTALK is easy to use and requires a minimal amount of time for user familiarization. The
user is presented with a series of menus and data display screens from which selections are made
using the PC Function Keys. The bottom of the display indicates the selections which the user
may make and the Function Key which activates each selection. Prompt messages assist the user
in making selections and inform the user of errors that occur. The menus/screens are arranged
in a hierarchial fashion such that exiting from a given menu/screen returns the user to the
previous menu/screen.
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SECTION 2
GETTING STARTED
2.0 OVERVIEW
This section of the manual includes (1) a discussion of the hardware required to support operation
of the GCTALK Program, (2) instructions for backup of the program distribution diskette, (3)
instructions for installation and startup of the program on the user system, and (4) a discussion
of keyboard and data entry/editing conventions utilized throughout the program.
The following minimum hardware is required to use the GCTALK Program for remote operation
of the Daniel Chromatograph Controller(s).
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2.2 BACKUPS
The GCTALK Program is distributed on a single 360KB diskette. The user should make a
backup of the distribution diskette and store the original in a safe place. The following general
steps should be taken to prepare backup and working system diskettes. Refer to your operating
system users manual for details of the commands to be used.
a. Insert the distribution diskette in drive A:. If your system contains two disk drives
insert a blank unformatted diskette in drive B:. Create a copy of the distribution diskette using
the command DISKCOPY A: B:. If your system has only a single diskette drive you will be
prompted to remove the source (distribution) diskette and insert the target (blank) diskette in the
diskette drive (and vice versa) at the appropriate times.
c. If the program is to be run from floppy diskettes, create a working system diskette as
follows (otherwise skip this step and copy the files from the copy of the distribution diskette to
the hard disk). Place a blank diskette in drive A:. Create a formatted system diskette using the
command FORMAT A: /S.
d. Place the copy of the distribution diskette created above in drive A:. If two diskette
drives are available, place the formatted system diskette in drive B:, or if system is to be run
from a hard disk use the CHDIR C:\dname to set the current directory to that directory into
which it is desired to place the GCTALK program (dname is the name of the directory). Use
the command COPY A:*.* y: to copy the GCTALK files from the distribution diskette copy in
drive A: to the appropriate drive. Y: represents the drive identifier of the appropriate drive, B:
for a floppy based system or C: for a hard disk.
e. Verify that the files GCTALK.EXE, and GCTALK.OVR have been successfully copied
to the working system disk or to the hard disk.
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2.3 STARTING THE GCTALK PROGRAM
If the program is to be run from diskettes, boot the system using the working system diskette
created above. If the system is to be run from a hard disk, set the current directory to the
directory into which the GCTALK files were copied. At the system prompt A> or (C> (if
running from hard disk) type GCTALK. The program will be loaded and the Main Menu
displayed. The user may now proceed to establish communications with a Chromatograph
Controller or to load a previously saved configuration from disk.
The GCTALK program presents the user with a series of menus and data display screens. The
user selects the desired operation from the menus by using the ten Function Keys labeled F1
through F10. On each of the menus the Function Key which activates each operation in the
menu list is displayed to the left of the operation description. On the data display screens the
bottom line on the display is reserved to inform the user of the operations which may be invoked
and the appropriate Function Keys for selecting each operation. Lines 22 and 23 on the display
are reserved for prompting the user when further clarification regarding user input is required.
The data display screens are presented either as a list of parameters with descriptions of the
individual datum to the left of the value on the screen, or as tables with multiple parameters
associated with a single component or stream displayed on a single line on the display beneath
columnar headings describing each parameter. During editing the four arrow keys (→, ←, ↑, ↓)
may be used to position the cursor over the value which is to be edited. Entry of any parameter
to the program that is not selected via a Function Key must be terminated using the ENTER key.
Prior to pressing the ENTER key the user may press the BACKSPACE key to move the cursor
one character position to the left and delete the previous character depressed. If the backspace
key is pressed repeately until all characters entered for a given parameter are deleted, then the
previous value of the parameter which is still in effect will be re-displayed. Similarly, if one of
the arrow keys or a valid Function Key is pressed after entering part or all of a new value for
a parameter, the old value of the parameter will remain in effect and will be re-displayed. All
entries are checked by the program for validity. Appropriate ranges of values for individual
parameters are included in Section 3. The allowable character sets for each type of datum are
defined in the following paragraph.
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2.6 DATA TYPES AND ALLOWABLE CHARACTERS
User entries to the GCTALK program consist of three basic types of data: numeric,
alphanumeric, and flags. Numeric entries are either Integers or Real numbers. Alphanumeric
entries include file names, component names, etc. Flags are a special data type used to allow
toggling of the parameters in the Controller which are defined as YES or NO. In editing these
flag entries the user presses the single character Y or N to convey the intended state of the flag
parameter, but the words YES or NO are displayed on the monitor. For each type of entry there
are three levels of validity checking performed.
First the program restricts the user to a specific group of allowable characters for each data type.
Pressing any character key not included in the allowable characters has no effect, that is, the
character is not echoed on the monitor and is ignored by the program. The second level of
validity checking limits the number of characters in a parameter to a maximum number. Any
characters in excess of the maximum number will be ignored as if they were invalid characters.
Finally after the user presses ENTER, the program verifies that the entry falls within a valid
range of values. For numeric entries this includes checking that the number falls within a range
of numbers bounded by a low and high limit. For alphanumeric data the particular checking
performed is dependent on the parameter. Flag data requires no checking at this level as the user
has already been restricted to entering Y or N. In any event, if the value entered does not
comply with the validity checking imposed, the entry is ignored and the old value is displayed.
The allowable character sets for the three major data types discussed above are as follows:
NUMERIC -- 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + - . E
FLAGS -- Y N y n
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2.7 FILE NAMES
File names for files used to store Controller configurations must conform to DOS naming
conventions. A file name consists of a path of directory names, separated by back slashes,
leading up to the desired directory, followed by the actual filename:
Drive:\Dirname\Dirname\...\Dirname\Filename
If a Drive is specified, then the path is taken to apply to that Drive; otherwise the logged drive
is assumed.
If the path begins with a back slash, then the path begins in the root directory; otherwise it begins
in the current directory of the appropriate drive.
The File name consists of a name of one through eight characters followed by a period and a file
extension of from one to three characters. Valid characters to be used in Directory and File
Names are those defined above for alphanumeric data types plus the characters $, %, _.
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SECTION 3
OPERATION
3.0 OVERVIEW
This section includes a discussion of the Menu and Display Screens in the GCTALK Program.
Additionally, a brief description of each parameter included on the display screens is provided.
Emphasis is placed on the usage of the GCTALK program. Detailed information on the various
Model Configuration Parameters and their relationship to the operation of the chromatograph are
included in the particular Chromatograph Manual.
Upon starting the GCTALK program, the Main Menu is displayed on the screen. Each of the
menu selections and the corresponding program operation is discussed in the paragraphs that
follow. Upon exiting any of these functions, the user is returned to the MAIN MENU. Pressing
Function Key F10 results in a request to the user to confirm his desire to exit the program by
pressing F9. An affirmative response from the user results in a return to the DOS prompt, any
other key leaves the user at the MAIN MENU.
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3.2 ESTABLISH/TERMINATE COMMUNICATIONS AND EQUIPMENT SETUP
Upon initial installation it will be necessary to establish your equipment setup in your PC and
communications links in order to communicate with the various chromatographs. Depending on
the way that your system is established, this may need to be done only once. Press F9 to obtain
the GCTALK EQUIPMENT SETUP screen to install your desired configuration. Press F1 to edit
and F8 to save your configuration. Press F10 to exit back to the MAIN MENU.
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Enter the necessary information in the following items:
Autodial Modem ? - Set to YES if modem is capable of autodialing using D.C. Hayes
Smartmodem Protocol. If set to NO, modem must allow manual origination of call.
Connect Wait Time - The time in seconds that the connection will wait/hold for data before
disconnecting and trying again or another controller - defaults to 30 seconds.
Tone/Pulse Dialing (T/P) - For autodial modems - specifies that TONE (DTMF) or PULSE
(Rotary) dialing is to be used.
Modem initialization String - Characters required to set the modem software for the specified
operation. Refer to your modem manual.
Outside Line Access String - Characters to be dialed to gain access through the PBX system to
an outside line. May include characters to instruct the modem to wait for dial tone or to delay
or any other characters valid in the Hayes protocol.
Press F8 to save your setup. Press F10 to return to the MAIN MENU.
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3.2.2 CONTROLLER COMMUNICATIONS
Press Function Key F1 at the Main Menu to obtain the display screen to establish or terminate
communications with a Chromatograph Controller. There are two display screens associated with
establishing communications with a particular Model 2251 Controller. The first screen is a GCC
Directory screen which should list all of the controllers and the communication identification of
the controllers that may be accessed. The parameter values displayed are the default values last
saved from the edit mode. The list may be added to or deleted as well. Note that the GCTALK
equipment setup should be correct for your PC and communications link. Highlight your choice
with the PGUP or PGDN keys and press ENTER to obtain the next screen.
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After you have selected the desired controller from the GCC DIRECTORY screen, Function key
F1 takes you to the ESTABLISH / TERMINATE COMMUNICATIONS screen. You may need
to check/edit some of the specified parameters. If not, press F1 to establish communication.
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The following parameters are displayed on the screen:
Model 2251 Communications Id - The Comm ID (1 to 247) of the Controller with which
communications are to be established.
Telephone Number - The telephone number of the Model 2251 including Area Code if needed.
Baudrate - Communications Baudrate 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600. The Baudrate must match
the Comm Baudrate programmed in the Model 2251. (NOTE: The minimum rate compatible
with Acquisition of Spectrum Data to generate Chromatograms is 1200 Baud.)
Number Data Bits (5-8) - The communications protocol should be established when the specified
controller is placed in the Directory. If this is an added or new controller, press F3 to add the
Data Bits now.
Parity (0=None 1=even 2=odd) - Press F3 if necessary to change the parity code.
To establish communications with the Controller the user presses F1. If the PC is equipped with
a Hayes compatible autodial modem, the outside line access, long distance access, and telephone
number will be combined and sent to the modem as a dial command using the type of dialing
(TONE/PULSE) displayed. If a successful telephone connection is established and carrier
detected, then the program requests the GC ID and Comm ID from the Controller using the
Controller Comm ID displayed for the request. If a valid response is received from the
Controller then the program sets the communications status to ONLINE (displayed along with
the current time at the top righthand corner of the monitor), and returns to the MAIN MENU.
If the program fails to establish a telephone connection, detect a carrier, or receive a correct
response from the Controller, it will retry up to three times. If unsuccessful, an appropriate error
message is displayed and the attempt is aborted. The operation may be aborted at any time by
pressing Function Key F10.
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If the modem being utilized with the PC does not possess autodial capability, the program
prompts the user to establish telephone communications. It also monitors the appropriate
communications port for the presence of the Clear to Send (CTS) and Received Line Signal
Detector (RSLD or Carrier Detect) signals. If these signals are detected then the program
proceeds to issue a request to the Controller for GC ID and Comm Id as previously described.
If a valid response is received then the program sets the communications status to ONLINE and
returns to the MAIN MENU. If the program fails to detect the CTS and RSLD signals within
two minutes or to receive a valid response from the Controller then an appropriate error message
is issued and the operation is aborted.
Press Function Key F2 if you wish to terminate communications with the currently selected
Controller. The program drops the Data Terminal Ready signal which causes the modem to
return the telephone to the
On-hook condition, and changes the communications status to OFFLINE.
Press Function Key F3 to edit the communications related parameters on the display. Move
between the various items on the display using the cursor control keys. Any changes made to
the parameters will remain in effect until the program is terminated. If you desire to save the
new values as the default parameters, then exit the edit mode using F10 and press F8 to save
your changes.
In addition to the parameters on the screen you may also change and/or save the default screen
colors if a color monitor is in use. To save or change the screen colors, complete your editing
and press F10 to exit the edit mode. Before you press F8 to save the values, press shift-F9.
Repeatedly press shift-F9 until the desired foreground color is displayed in the words "Color
Test" near the bottom righthand corner of the display. Then repeat the same sequence using
Function Key F10 (shift F10) until the desired background color is displayed. Then press F8 to
save the new colors along with the default parameters.
Throughout the program press F10 to return to the previous menu, thus eventually returning to
the MAIN MENU from any screen.
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Press Function Key F2 from the MAIN MENU after establishing communications to monitor
chromatograph operation without stopping the automatic cycling. The program presents a screen
displaying the cycle time in seconds and the elapsed time into the run. At the end of the run the
program retrieves the resulting data from the Controller and prints a Raw Data Report and an
Analysis Report for that run. The program then returns to the screen - displaying cycle and
elapsed times until completion of the next run. If the cycle time in the Controller is less than
the time required to acquire the data and print the reports, only the results from every other run
will be printed. This program function should not be used for cycle times less than 60 seconds.
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Once communications have been established, it is possible to gain control of the analyzer for
checking runs and/or troubleshooting. From the MAIN MENU select Function Key F3 to obtain
the GAS CHROMATOGRAPH CONTROL screen. Press Function Key F1: to halt automatic
operation of the Controller.
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Once into the control screen the PC will check the Controller and if it is running, it will halt the
present run after its completion. The HALTING AUTOMATIC OPERATION screen will appear
and display the stream number being analyzed, elapsed time into the run, and the cycle time.
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After the run is complete, the PC will display the GAS CHROMATOGRAPH CONTROL screen
to allow the operator to run either an analysis or a calibration. In this procedure a run must be
started in order to collect the data. The data from the halted run is only available through
Modbus Data Acquisition (Function Key F8:) in the MAIN MENU.
To run the analysis press F2 from the GAS CHROMATOGRAPH CONTROL screen.
Select the stream to be analyzed by pressing the appropriate Function Key (1 through 5).
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The next screen allows the operator either to purge or not purge the sample valve with the
previously selected stream.
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If F2-PURGE is selected, the stream solenoid valve in the sample system selected will energize
for 60 seconds, then the run will start. If F1-NO PURGE is selected the run will start
immediately. The only time "NO PURGE" should be selected is when the next run is on the
same stream as the previous run, in which case the sample valve will already have been purged
for that stream.
After purging (yes or no), the analysis run will start. The screen will then display the stream
being analyzed, the elapsed time into the run, and the cycle time.
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When the run is complete, the screen will display the "Run Complete" message. Data is then
collected, the raw data printed, and the analysis report printed. If F10 is pressed during the run,
the run will be aborted. It will be necessary to start the analysis from the GAS
CHROMATOGRAPH CONTROL screen with Function Key F2.
The second screen on the next page shows a Raw Data Analysis screen.
Note that other data is available with PGDN,PGUP controls.
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If spectrum was on during the run, a chromatogram can now be printed. Press F4 from the GAS
CHROMATOGRAPH CONTROL screen to obtain the reports and chromatograph screens. The
first screen will prompt the operator to enter a simulated chart speed and the analysis time
window that he wants the chromatogram to cover. Usually a two or four inches per minute chart
speed is used and the entire chromatogram will be printed. A sample of a chromatogram is
shown on the last page of Appendix A.
The same chromatogram can be reprinted using different parameters by pressing F4 at the GAS
CHROMATOGRAPH CONTROL Menu.
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The analyzer can be remotely calibrated from the GAS CHROMATOGRAPH CONTROL screen
by pressing F3. The calibration generated remotely will be the same as if the Model 2251 were
in the program mode, that is, it will update all response factors regardless of their deviation
percentages. The calibration reports will automatically be generated as the runs are completed.
Note also that a chromatogram cannot be generated for a calibration analysis run, so it is best
to make a run of the calibration stream with spectrum ON and print the spectrum to be sure
everything is satisfactory before calibrating. Refer to Appendix A for a sample of a calibration
run.
The next page shows the first two screens of a calibration sequence.
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Throughout this manual we shall use the term active configuration. The term configuration is
taken as a complete set of all the parameters necessary to define the operating characteristics of
a Daniel Model 2251 Chromatograph Controller. The active configuration refers to a
configuration currently held in the PC memory which may be reviewed, and if desired edited,
saved, or downloaded to a Controller. A configuration report may also be generated for the
active configuration.
It is possible to select a configuration to become the active configuration from either an on-line
Controller with which communications have been established or from a file previously saved by
the user. The configuration is selected by pressing F4 at the Main Menu. Once an active
configuration has been selected, a configuration name will be displayed near the upper left hand
corner of the screen. If any editing is performed on the configuration, the word **EDIT** will
precede the configuration name.
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Note that if F2 (ONLINE 2251) is selected, communications with a Controller already must have
been established using F1 on the main menu. When F2 is selected, the entire configuration in
the Controller will be loaded into the PC.
Subsequently, the configuration name will appear near the upper lefthand corner of the screen
after the current date, consisting of "2251" followed by the GC Identification (ID) number and
the communications ID number.
If a configuration has been previously saved in a file it can be recalled for review or editing by
pressing F1 on the SELECT ACTIVE CONFIGURATION screen. All the files in the current
directory which are the same size as a configuration file (e.g. 4096 bytes) will be displayed to
assist the user in remembering file names.
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Once the file name is entered the file will be loaded and the file name will be used as the
configuration name for display after the current date. Note that all file names must be in
accordance with the DOS naming conventions. Refer to paragraph 2.7.
3.5.3 NONE
Pressing F3 - NONE removes any active configuration which has previously been selected and
sets the configuration name to blanks. In this mode any editing of the active configuration will
refer to the Controller currently on-line. The entire configuration will not be uploaded from the
Controller. As each screen in the review/edit portion of the program is activated, the parameters
included on that display will be acquired. Similarly, if F8 - SAVE is pressed before exit, the
revised parameters associated with the screen will be downloaded to the Controller. If only one
screen is to be changed it is faster to edit directly (e.g. without an Active Configuration); but if
several screens are to be edited it is less cumbersome to upload the entire configuration, edit,
then download.
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The preferred method of editing is to load the entire configuration into the PC via Function Key
F1 or F2 from the Select Active Configuration Menu, do the required editing and then save the
configuration to a file in the PC. When using F7 on the MAIN MENU, refer to paragraph 3.8.
The revised configuration can then be downloaded to the Controller. The configuration can also
be saved in the PC for future reference.
Press F5 from the MAIN MENU screen to edit the configuration. In the REVIEW/EDIT
ACTIVE CONFIGURATION Menu, there are seven individual display screens used to edit the
various parameters in the configuration.
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Use the arrow keys to move the cursor to the desired parameter to be edited and enter the new
value.
Comm ID - Any number from 1 to 247 can be used for MODBUS identification.
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Table #1 Streams - Stream numbers associated with component table number one. Software
assumes other streams are for table two. Note that if two component tables are used, two
calibration streams are required and the calibration stream for component table #1 must be one
of the streams assigned to table #1. Likewise, the calibration stream for table 2 cannot be a
stream assigned to table #1.
Baseline - Sets sensitivity of slope detector. Any number from 1 to 249 is valid. Default value
is 4. Lower values give more sensitivity.
Cal Cycle Time - Calibration cycle time. Any time at least 15 seconds greater than the analysis
time up to 9999 seconds.
RF % Deviation - Percent deviation allowable in the response factor for run mode calibration.
Maximum is 10%.
RT % Deviation - Percent deviation allowed for the retention time to vary and still be recognized
as the component assigned to the particular retention time. Maximum = 19.9%.
RT Secs Deviation - Maximum allowable deviation of retention time in seconds to vary and still
be recognized as the component assigned to the particular retention time. Maximum = 10
seconds. The Controller will use the RT% or RT Secs, whichever is greater when identifying
components and updating retention times.
Interval - Autocal can be initiated from once per hour to once per 168 hours.
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This screen parameters are slightly different in the ISO version of the Model 2251 Controller but
the software works identically. The Model 2251 standard version is shown. Values to be edited
are:
Date and Time - If the configuration has been downloaded from the Controller, the date and time
in the Controller will be displayed. If a new date and time are necessary they can be entered
from the PC. Note that this should be the last editing done just prior to downloading, as the
time entered will be the time loaded into the Model 2251.
Printer Baud # rate - Select from 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800 or 9600.
Comm Baud # rate - Select from 300, 1200, 2400, 4800 or 9600. When online the baud rate
setting cannot be changed.
# Prints Skipped - How many stream sequences will be run without local printout? A number
of 255 will cause all local printing of analysis reports to cease. Unit will still print 24-hour
averages and calibration reports as well as analysis reports on alarm and on alarm clear.
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CR Delay - Carriage Return Delay. Some older printers require time for the carriage return.
Numbers from 0 - 200 are valid and represent null characters sent after each line of data.
Display Delay - Length of time a display is to remain on the controller’s screen before going on
to the next display (30 = 1 sec.; 60 = 2 sec.; etc.).
RTS Delay - Request to send delay. Length of time in 30ths of a second between request to send
signal and beginning of transmission of communications message (for use with radios).
Formfeed Char. ? - If Y is pressed for Formfeed Character, each report will be on separate page.
Base Pres. #1 through #5 - Different base pressures can be entered for different streams.
Anly Rpt. w/Cal. ? - Analysis report of calibration gas Y = Yes, N = No. If yes, an analysis
report of the calibration gas is generated from the last run in the calibration sequence using the
previous response factors.
Mole % through Liquid Volume % and Wobbe ? - If Yes, then the calculations are printed on
the analysis report. Note that Liquid Volume % is not included in either the Model 2255 or the
Model 2251 ISO versions.
User heading - Any 16-character name and/or number can be used and will be printed on the
analysis reports as GC ID number.
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SECTION 3 35
__________________________________________________________ GCTALK
3.6.3 PARAMETER #3
RT Update Each Analysis? - Yes = enter the retention time into the analysis that the first peak
of interest elutes.
Demo? - Yes = A simulated analysis is displayed from concentration values stored in the
Controller. No analyzer run is made.
Round? - (Display only) No = round mole percent and weight percent to nearest 0.001%. Yes
= Total will exactly equal sum of the numbers displayed.
Actual BTU? - Yes = Print actual BTU. (Actual BTU requires input from a moisture analyzer.)
____________________________________________________________________
36 SECTION 3
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
Three types of timed events can be edited using the timed event screen. All timed events are
edited with the function keys listed on the bottom of the screen. There are a total of 40
individual timed events possible with the Controller. For timed event tables too long for the
screen (greater than 13), use the up and down arrows to scroll through the table. Valve and
integration timed events are ON and OFF events. Model 2251 utilizes Spectrum gain events of
four different levels. A Spec Gain of 1 is the lowest gain for the spectrum chart and is used for
reviewing very high concentration peaks. Spec Gain of 2 is x 4 of gain 1. Spec Gain 3 is x 32
of gain 1. Spec Gain 4 is x 256 of Gain 1 and represents highest sensitivity in the preamplifier.
The spectrum gain level has no effect on the input to the Model 2251, only on the presentation
on the chart recorder.
Model 2255 (no screen shown) uses preamplifier gain timings to program the preamplifier as
reqired. Pre-Amp Gains 1, 2 and 3 may be programmed, with Gain 1 being used for high
concentration peaks,
Gain 2 for medium peaks and Gain 3 for very low concentration peaks. For the actual
amplification value of Gains 1-3, refer to the chromatograph operational parameters. After
editing, press F8 to save your changes.
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SECTION 3 37
__________________________________________________________ GCTALK
Two component data tables are possible with the GC Controller. Two tables are used with
different streams if they are drastically different concentration ranges for given components or
if they have different components being measured. Since the format of the tables are identical,
only one sample table is shown. Each table can contain up to 16 components. Component
names can be edited using the component codes from the GC manual. Retention times,
calibration concentrations and response factors can be edited directly. Response factors can be
fixed by entering F or set to variable by entering V. Method of measurement (Height or Area)
can be edited by entering H or A. Be sure to save the table (F8) once editing is complete.
Twelve component codes (150 through 161)in the Controller can be defined through the PC. The
codes can be assigned any eight character name, any BTU, GPM, Square Root (Bi), any Relative
density, or any Molecular Weight. The user-defined component codes can then be used in
component table one or two for components not defined with the standard component code list,
and can be used in all calculations the Model 2251 is capable of performing. Press F8 to save
your data.
____________________________________________________________________
38 SECTION 3
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
3.6.6 ANALOGS
Press F5 from the Main Menu to access the REVIEW/EDIT ACTIVE CONFIGURATION screen
and F5 again to obtain the ANALOG INPUTS, TRENDS, & BARGRAPH screen. Select F1 for
analog INPUTS, F2 for TRENDS, or F3 for the BARGRAPH screen.
____________________________________________________________________
SECTION 3 39
__________________________________________________________ GCTALK
The two analog inputs in the Controller can be assigned any component code and any zero- and
full-scale value for the 4-20mA inputs. This can be done with the analog input screen and saved
with F8. The component name and value will then be printed out on the analysis report with the
GC information.
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40 SECTION 3
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
3.6.6.2 F2 Trends
The three analog outputs on the Controller can be assigned any component code and any zero-
and full-scale value using the ANALOG OUTPUTS -- TRENDS screen. When the Controller
runs an analysis, the trend values will be updated after the post run calculations are made. The
values will remain at that level until another analysis is run on that stream and the post run
calculations are made. After editing the screen, save using F8.
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SECTION 3 41
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3.6.6.3 F3 Bargraph
The bargraph on the Controller utilizes output number one to enable readout of up to sixteen
different component values. A component value includes a component code, a stream number
or numbers, and a zero- and full-scale value. If any of these parameters are different, it will use
one of the 16 available slots in the table. That is, if the concentration of nitrogen is to be
bargraphed for stream 1 at 0-10% and for stream 2 at 0-20%, then two slots would be used
because the ranges are different. If the same component is to be measured (with the same range)
in two streams, it would only use one slot. Using the example above, nitrogen can be measured
in streams 1 and 2 at 0-20%. After the table is edited, F8 will save it for file and or
downloading to the Controller.
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42 SECTION 3
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
3.6.7 ALARMS
There are 15 available software alarms which can be used and edited in the same manner as the
bargraph parameters. Note that the low and high alarm levels used must be exceeded before an
alarm will occur. If no low alarm is desired for a component, then its limit can be set at zero.
Since the component value will never go below zero, the low alarm will never be set. Any
component code can be used for an alarm with any low and high value. Note that if a
component is in an alarm condition, it will not be included in any 24-hour average data being
compiled.
____________________________________________________________________
SECTION 3 43
__________________________________________________________ GCTALK
Five ratios, twenty-eight function rolling averages, and fifteen 24-hour averages can be set in the
Controller.
____________________________________________________________________
44 SECTION 3
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
3.6.8.1 F1 Ratios
Five ratios can be calculated by the Controller and can be used for printout, trends or bargraph.
Note that the numerator and denominator must be on the same stream. Any component code up
to and including 167 can be used for numerator and denominator. After a run is made and the
configuration is called up from the Controller, the current ratio values will be displayed on the
Ratios screen.
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SECTION 3 45
__________________________________________________________ GCTALK
3.6.8.2 F2 Rolling Averages
The Controller has the capability of performing a rolling average calculation for component data
or calculated data (BTU, REL DEN, etc.). It can average up to 9 individual runs. The rolling
average adds the latest run values into the average and drops the oldest run values after each run.
The total number of the calculations possible for the rolling average is 28. That is, if 9 runs are
to be averaged, then only 3 components can be averaged over those 9 runs. (9 x 3 = 27). If
seven components are to be averaged, then 4 runs is the most that can be averaged (7 x 4 = 28),
etc. When the Controller is called up, it will display the current rolling average values on the
screen. After editing, press F8 to save your changes.
____________________________________________________________________
46 SECTION 3
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
3.6.8.3 F3-24 Hour Averages
Up to fifteen 24-hour averages can be calculated in the Controller. Any component code can be
entered into the table for 24-hour average calculations. Any time can be chosen for the 24-hour
average time, but it is better to average the data at least 15 minutes before an autocal is
programmed to prevent the two reports from overlapping. Note that 24-hour averages and
autocal will be printed out whether or not the analysis reports are being skipped.
When used with GCC 5.4 the 24-hour averages are not available.
The EXTENDED DAILY / MONTHLY AVERAGES screen shows the last three days of
component values; e.g., average, high, and low plus the current day. It also shows the last three
months of component values; e.g., average, high, low plus the current month.
____________________________________________________________________
SECTION 3 47
__________________________________________________________ GCTALK
3.7 PRINT ACTIVE CONFIGURATION REPORT
Selecting F6 at the Main Menu causes the configuration report for the Active Configuration to
be printed on the PC printer. This report is identical to the Configuration Report that the
Controller generates to its local printer. An example of this type of report is shown in Appendix
A. Refer to the Chromatograph manual for a detailed description of the various parameters on
the report. If no Active Configuration has been selected then the report is not printed and the
user is returned to the Main Menu.
____________________________________________________________________
48 SECTION 3
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
The active configuration may be downloaded to the on-line Controller or saved in a file for future
use by pressing F7 at the Main Menu. The Save/Download Active Configuration Screen appears
and prompts for the desired destination (the Chromatograph Controller or a file). If the
configuration is to be saved to a file, press F1 and enter the file name to which the file is to be
saved. If the configuration was loaded from a file at the time it was selected to be the active
configuration, the name of that file will be presented as the default file name. A listing of all
of the files in the current directory that are the same size as a configuration file will be displayed
for your information. You may accept the default file name if one is presented or enter a new
file name. Assuming that a valid file name is entered, the Active Configuration is saved in that
file and a message displayed to inform the user.
If the configuration is to be downloaded to the on-line Controller, then the download is begun
and a message displayed to inform the user. The message informs of successful completion of
the download or communications problems if the download must be aborted.
____________________________________________________________________
SECTION 3 49
__________________________________________________________ GCTALK
The Chromatograph Controller supports communications with a host computer using the
MODBUS ASCII Protocol. This capability gives the user access to all calculated results in the
Controller. Pressing Function Key F8 at the MAIN MENU causes the PC to function as a simple
MODBUS Host, which allows you to read and display on the monitor any of the calculated
results in the on-line Controller.
The MODBUS request is defined by the following parameters:
Address - This is the Controller Comm ID (1 to 247). Entering a number greater than
247 or pressing F10 returns the user to the Main Menu.
Function - This is the MODBUS Function Code. The codes 3 (Read Registers) and 16
(Write Registers) are supported by the Controller. In normal use for acquiring data, enter
3.
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50 SECTION 3
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
Start - This is the beginning MODBUS Index from which data is to be read or written.
(Refer to the MODBUS Communications Indices in the back of this manual.)
Quantity - This is the number of values to be read or written beginning with the Start
Index (maximum 32).
Repeat - The number of times the user wants to repeat the request. A non-zero entry
results in the desired data being requested multiple times with the repeat value being
decremented following each request until the count goes to zero. This facility is useful
in troubleshooting noisy communication links.
If function code 3 is requested, the request message is formatted and sent to the on-line
Controller. If the requested data is received, it is displayed. If the Controller does not respond
or if a communication error occurs, the program automatically retries the request a maximum of
three times. If the desired response is still not received, then the program continues by checking
the repeat counter. If the repeat counter is non-zero, its value is decremented and the request is
sent again.
Requesting function code 16 (write register) results in a similar sequence of events except that
the user is first prompted for the values to be sent to the Controller. In normal operation this
function would not be used because almost all the parameters that may be accessed via the
MODBUS are results calculated by the Controller.
Though the program does not provide for a hard copy of the data values acquired, an informal
copy may be obtained by using the DOS print-screen facility.
____________________________________________________________________
SECTION 3 51
__________________________________________________________ GCTALK
____________________________________________________________________
52 SECTION 3
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
APPENDIX A
SETTINGS
Analysis Time: 225 seconds Detector Temperature: 80o ±3oC factory set
Cycle Time: 240 seconds Column Oven Temperature:80o ±3oC factory set
Carrier Gas: Chromatographic Carrier Gas Pressure: 85 PSIG
Grade Helium
Valve Actuating Gas: Chromatographic Valve Actuating Pressure: 100 PSIG
Grade Helium (Cylinder Pressure)
FLOWS
Measure Vent: V-3 ON: 12-18 cc/min (factory adjustment only)
V-3 OFF: 12-18 cc/min (factory adjustment only)
Sample Vent: 50 cc/min
SAMPLE LOOP
Sample Loop Volume: 190.3 UL
Sample Loop Size: Length 20.3 cm I.D. .11 cm O.D. .16 cm
8 in .043 in .0625 in
DETECTOR
Type: Thermal Conductivity (Thermistors)
Resistance: 8 K at 25oC
SAMPLE PRESSURE
20 PSIG Adjusted by field pressure regulator and calibration gas pressure regulator
VALVES
Position Function Type Ports Material Temperature P/N
SSO Sample shut-off TITAN 2 SS High 4-4000-313
Valve 1-3 Sample, backflush, diaphragm 6 SS High 3-9207-100
and dual column
____________________________________________________________________
APPENDIX A A-1
__________________________________________________________ GCTALK
____________________________________________________________________
A-2 APPENDIX A
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
EXAMPLE REPORTS
CONFIGURATION
TIMED EVENTS
INHIBIT ON @ 0.0
VALVE # 2 ON @ 0.0
VALVE # 3 ON @ 1.0
VALVE # 1 ON @ 3.0
VALVE # 1 OFF @ 8.0
SPECGAIN 3 ON @ 10.0
PK WIDTH 4 ON @ 15.0
VALVE # 2 OFF @ 21.0
INHIBIT OFF @ 26.0
INHIBIT OFF @ 26.0
INHIBIT ON @ 36.0
VALVE # 3 OFF @ 37.0
VALVE # 3 OFF @ 37.0
INHIBIT OFF @ 41.0
INHIBIT ON @ 128.0
SPECGAIN 1 ON @ 129.0
VALVE # 3 ON @ 130.0
INHIBIT OFF @ 136.0
INHIBIT ON @ 160.0
PK WIDTH 8 ON @ 163.0
SPECGAIN 2 ON @ 164.0
INHIBIT OFF @ 165.0
INHIBIT ON @ 224.0
# STREAMS 2
SPECTRUM NO
TICKS YES
BASELINE 4
CALIBRATION PARAMETERS
____________________________________________________________________
APPENDIX A A-3
__________________________________________________________ GCTALK
PRINT CODES
#PRT SKP 0
RTS DELAY 0
CR DELAY 0
BASE PRS
STR# 1 14.730
STR# 2 14.730
C3+ NO
ANL. RPT YES
GPM YES
LIQ VOL% NO
TOTUNRML YES
MOLE % YES
WEIGHT % NO
BTU DRY YES
BTU SAT YES
REL DEN YES
COMPRESS YES
WOBBE NO
NORMLIZE YES
RATIO NO
24HR AVG YES
ROLL AVG NO
FF CHAR? YES
ROUND? NO
ACT BTU YES
EXTD AVG NO
DSPY DLY 30
PRNTBAUD 1200
COMMBAUD 1200
PROTOCOL 31354
24 HR AVERAGES
____________________________________________________________________
A-4 APPENDIX A
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
APPENDIX A A-5
__________________________________________________________ GCTALK
CALIBRATION RUN 1 OF 3
ACTIVE ALARMS
NONE
CALIBRATION RUN 2 OF 3
ACTIVE ALARMS
NONE
____________________________________________________________________
A-6 APPENDIX A
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
CALIBRATION RUN 3 OF 3
ACTIVE ALARMS
NONE
ACTIVE ALARMS
NONE
____________________________________________________________________
APPENDIX A A-7
__________________________________________________________ GCTALK
ANALYSIS
ACTIVE ALARMS
NONE
CALIBRATION FINAL
ACTIVE ALARMS
NONE
____________________________________________________________________
A-8 APPENDIX A
GCTALK __________________________________________________________
TYPICAL CHROMATOGRAM
Natural Gas (BTU) Analysis - 4 Minutes
____________________________________________________________________
APPENDIX A A-9
__________________________________________________________ GCTALK
____________________________________________________________________
A-10 APPENDIX A
Model 2251 Enhanced Specification
Chromatograph Controller
Revision B
The following tables contain descriptions of the various data available from the G.C.
Controller via the MODBUS compatible communication interface as well as the assigned
index numbers for each datum. Support of the standard MODBUS function codes in the
Controller include Function Codes 3 and 16 as described in Daniel Engineering
Specification ES-10212-01. In most instances it is anticipated that only Function Code
3 will be used to allow reading by a host computer of analysis results. Due to RAM
limitations in the controller a single MODBUS query or response message is limited to
sixty-four 16-bit integers or thirty-two 32-bit integer or floating point parameters.
TITLE:
Model 2251
Enhanced Specification
Chromatograph Controller
Modbus Communication Indices
16-BIT INTEGERS
INDEX DESCRIPTION
3001 Component Table #1 - Component Index #1
3002 " " " - " " #2
3003 " " " - " " #3
3004 " " " - " " #4
3005 " " " - " " #5
3006 " " " - " " #6
3007 " " " - " " #7
3008 " " " - " " #8
3009 " " " - " " #9
3010 " " " - " " #10
3011 " " " - " " #11
3012 " " " - " " #12
3013 " " " - " " #13
3014 " " " - " " #14
3015 " " " - " " #15
3016 Component Table #1 - Component Index #16
TITLE:
Model 2251
Enhanced Specification
Chromatograph Controller
Modbus Communication Indices
32-BIT INTEGERS
TITLE:
Model 2251
Enhanced Specification
Chromatograph Controller
Modbus Communication Indices
3047 SPARE SPARE SPARE SPARE SPARE SPARE SPARE SPARE SPARE SPARE SPARE SPARE ADJUST PREAMP RF % POWER
PREAMP FAILURE DEV FAIL
TITLE:
Model 2251
Enhanced Specification
Chromatograph Controller
Modbus Communication Indices
INDEX DESCRIPTION
(1) GPM is available on U.S. versions of the Models 2251 and 2255 only. ISO
versions of the controller will contain weight % only.
TITLE:
Model 2251
Enhanced Specification
Chromatograph Controller
Modbus Communication Indices
NOTE: If the CAL analysis flag is zero, the data in registers 7001 through 7039
should not be used. See Modbus Index 3059, herein.
TITLE:
Model 2251
Enhanced Specification
Chromatograph Controller
Modbus Communication Indices
TITLE:
Model 2251
Enhanced Specification
Chromatograph Controller
Modbus Communication Indices
TITLE:
Model 2251
Enhanced Specification
Chromatograph Controller
Modbus Communication Indices
TITLE:
Model 2251
Enhanced Specification
Chromatograph Controller
Modbus Communication Indices
TITLE:
Model 2251
Enhanced Specification
Chromatograph Controller
Modbus Communication Indices
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