Operator’s Manual Rev F 8/29/14 2052 O’Neil Rd, Macedon NY 14502 Telephone: (315) 986-8090 Fax: (315) 986-8091 www.ankom.
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Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Warranty ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Contact Information ....................................................................................................................
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Operator’s Manual Introduction ANKOM Technology designs, manufactures, and markets instruments and support products used by analytical laboratories around the world in the environmental, agricultural, biomass, and food industries. ANKOM Technology can provide you with products for determining or monitoring detergent fibers, dietary fibers, fat, digestibility, microbial fermentation (anaerobic or aerobic) and more.
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Operator’s Manual Instrument Description General Description The ANKOMRF Gas Production System is designed to measure the kinetics of a microbial fermentation in an automated fashion by monitoring the gas pressure within multiple Modules and remotely recording the data in computer spreadsheets. Equipped with a temperature sensor, each Module can also monitor the temperature of its environment.
Operator’s Manual System Components The ANKOMRF Gas Production System Base Kit includes the following components: 5 – Modules (part # RF1) 5 – Glass Bottles (bottle types to be chosen by the customer) – there is one Glass Bottle for each Module 1 – Reference Module Zero (ambient pressure only – part # RF5) 6 – Rechargeable Battery Packs (part # RF16) – 1 in each Module and 1 in the Reference Module Zero 1 – 10 Station Battery Charger (part # RF25) 1 – Base Coordinator w/ USB Cable (part # RF2) and antenna (
Operator’s Manual Adding Modules The ANKOMRF Gas Production System has a modular design that allows the user to increase or decrease the number of samples tested. The Reference Module Zero is used to monitor and record atmospheric pressure. The Base Coordinator is used to communicate with up to 50 Modules each programmed with a unique ID number and system address. If you have a system with less than 50 Modules, more can be ordered to complete your system.
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Operator’s Manual Instrument Setup – Equipment Battery Connection Before using your system you must connect the battery packs within each Module by connecting the male connector on the battery pack to the female connector on the circuit board. The locking tab must be facing the adjacent white connector. Caution: Damage to the circuit board and batteries can occur if the batteries are connected backwards. Battery Connection Rechargeable batteries lose charge when not being used.
Operator’s Manual RF Communication Radio Frequency (RF) technology allows the Modules to be located away from the Base Coordinator without the need for cumbersome wire connections. Although the RF signal from the Modules can be detected at distances of 10 ft. or more, for the best signal reception it is recommended that you place the Modules (including Reference Module Zero) as close as possible to the Base Coordinator.
Operator’s Manual Instrument Setup – Software Computer Software Requirements To run the GPM software, your computer must have the following programs. Windows XP or later Microsoft Excel 2003 or later Internet Explorer 5.0 or later Microsoft.Net Windows Installer If not already loaded, the ANKOMRF Gas Production System installation program will install: Microsoft.Net Windows Installer You must run GPM software version 9.7.1 or greater if you are using Modules with temperature sensors.
Operator’s Manual The version number on this message box will correspond to the GPM software version you are installing. (3) Click the Next> button in the message box above to proceed with the software installation. The following message box is displayed. (4) In the message box above, put a check mark in the box () next to “I accept the terms of the License Agreement” by clicking on the box. (5) Click the Next> button and the following message box is displayed. pg.
Operator’s Manual (6) In the message box above, the Destination Folder box shows the name of the folder path in which your GPM software program will be stored. If the name is not what you want it to be, then type the name of the folder, or click the Browse button to go to the folder in which you would like to store this program. (7) In the message box above, click the Install button.
Operator’s Manual (9) When the message box above shows that the installation is complete, click the Next> button and the following message box is displayed. (10) If you want to immediately start the GPM software, then ensure that a check mark () is in the box next to Run Gas Pressure Monitor x.x.x.x (this refers to the specific version of software that you are installing) in the message box above. If it is not checked and you want it to be, then click the check box.
Operator’s Manual Instrument Software Functionality Color Coding Definitions The GPM software uses a color coding scheme to help you clearly identify specific conditions within your data. As you review the rest of this document, and as you work with your system, please keep in mind the following color coding definitions. A “cell” is one element of data within either the Live View table or the Recording View table. See the Screen layout section below for more details.
Operator’s Manual Auto Graphing In addition to capturing the data points for pressure and temperature, the GPM software has an Auto Graphing capability that displays line graphs for the cumulative pressure and absolute temperature for each selected Module within a study. The pressure and temperature graphs can be viewed on separate screens or together on one screen. Examples of these graphs are shown below.
Operator’s Manual When you right click on any of the graphs, the following menu will be displayed: From this menu, you have the following options: Copy – copies the graph to the clipboard, from which it can be pasted into a document. Save Image As – saves the graph in a selectable image format. Change background color – allows the user to change the background color of the graphs. Change line color – allows the user to change the colors of the graph lines.
Operator’s Manual Screen layout The screen below contains all the controls and data associated with the operation of this system. In this document we have added some numbers in RED to the screen image to identify the functions described below. These numbers will NOT show on your computer screen. Live View 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Browse 10 11 12 13 14 Version: 9.8.
Operator’s Manual Following is a description of the individual components displayed on the GPM screen. 1 Live Interval – This box contains the time gap (in seconds) between each instance of Module-to-computer communication. This interval can contain values up to 60 sec. During setup this time frame is usually set to very short intervals to permit rapid responses to manual commands. Longer live intervals are recommended during studies to preserve battery life.
Operator’s Manual 10 Autosave location – The GPM program automatically stores recorded data at the Autosave location. If the file name in the Autosave location is NOT changed between data recording sessions, the file will be overwritten each time a recording is made. In the Autosave location box, you can enter the file location (file path\file name) where you want the autosave data stored. You can use the Browse button to get you to the file path folder where you want to store the data file.
Operator’s Manual The temperature sensors are accurate to within 2°C over a range of 5°C – 60°C. To account for any Module-to-Module differences in temperature sensing capability, you can calibrate each sensor using the Temperature calibration settings screen. The values entered in the cells on this screen are used by the GPM software to determine the appropriate offsets to apply to each sensor to calibrate them to the temperature of your standard source.
Operator’s Manual 17 Absolute Pressure tab – When you click this tab you will see the absolute pressure data for the times specified by the Recording Interval. An example of this screen is shown below. Browse Version: 9.8.3 pg.
Operator’s Manual 18 Temperature tab – When you click this tab you will see the temperature data for the times specified by the Recording Interval. An example of this screen is shown below. Browse Version: 9.8.3 Rev F 8/29/14 pg.
Operator’s Manual 19 Battery Voltage tab – When you click this tab you will see the battery voltage for the battery packs in each Module for the times specified by the Recording Interval. An example of this screen is shown below. Browse Version: 9.8.3 pg.
Operator’s Manual 20 Cumulative Pressure Graph – When you click this tab you will see a line graph of the cumulative pressure data that has been recorded to that point. A Module’s graph will only be displayed if its box in the Show Graph Line row is checked. An example of this screen is shown below. Browse Version: 9.8.3 The graph above represents a yeast study done with different amounts of yeast and sugar in each bottle in ambient conditions without any temperature controls.
Operator’s Manual 21 Temperature Graph – When you click this tab you will see a line graph of the absolute temperature data that has been recorded to that point. A Module’s graph will only be displayed if its box in the Show Graph Line row is checked. An example of this screen is shown below. Browse Version: 9.8.3 The graph above represents a study done in ambient conditions without any temperature controls.
Operator’s Manual 22 Cumulative Pressure/Temperature Graph – When you click this tab you will see a line graph of the absolute temperature data that has been recorded to that point and a line graph of the cumulative pressure data that has been recorded to that point. A Module’s graph will only be displayed if its box in the Show Graph Line row is checked. An example of this screen is shown below. Browse Version: 9.8.
Operator’s Manual 23 Module Name – Cells within this row display the Module identification number or name. By default, these cells display numbers. To change a cell within the Module Name row, highlight the cell and type. The text typed into a Module Name cell does not wrap when the text reaches the end of the cell. Therefore, if you type a long name in the cell, the column for that Module will widen and reduce the amount of data that can be viewed on one screen.
Operator’s Manual If a Module that had previously lost communication regains communication, the module name cell in the Recording View turns YELLOW (see below) and remains YELLOW through the rest of the run. Browse Version: 9.8.3 24 Valve Open – Clicking a cell within this row puts a check mark in the box () and opens the vent valve for that specific Module for a maximum of 3 minutes. Clicking the cell again removes the check mark () and closes the specific vent valve.
Operator’s Manual 26 Current Pressure – Cells in this row display the current pressure within the bottle relative to the Reference Module Zero pressure and represents the most recent pressure reading reported during the last Live Interval. A LIGHT BLUE cell indicates that the Current Pressure is above the Pressure Release threshold. 27 Cumulative Pressure – Cells in this row display the sum of the incremental changes in pressure for the specific Module recorded throughout the entire study.
Operator’s Manual Temperature Sensing Each Module comes equipped with a temperature sensor that can monitor the temperature of its environment. Temperature Sensor The sensors are accurate to within 2°C over a range of 5°C – 60°C. To account for any Module-to-Module differences in temperature sensing capability, the GPM software provides a calibration screen that can be used before data recording begins.
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Operator’s Manual Operating Instructions To conduct a study with the ANKOMRF Gas Production System, follow the steps below: 1. Start your GPM software. On your computer monitor, click the GPM icon to start the program. If the batteries are plugged into the Modules, the program should display the battery voltage and pressure of each Module Assembly, including the Reference Module Zero. (Reference Module Zero measures the ambient pressure and has no Glass Bottle attached to it.
Operator’s Manual 4.4 Remove the Luer Cap and pressurize each Glass Bottle by applying 6-10 psi to each Module’s Luer Check Valve. Verify on the screen that the Modules have pressure. Put the Luer Cap back on the valve. WARNING: For 250 ml – 1000 ml narrow-mouth bottles, never allow the pressure in the bottles to exceed 10 psi. For 1.8 L wide-mouth bottles, never allow the pressure in the bottles to exceed 1 psi.
Operator’s Manual If a Module is not holding pressure, re-apply pressure (using either of the two methods above) and perform the following checks: 4.23 Place a small amount of soapy water on the end of the vent valve tube. If it is leaking, clean the tube using the procedure in Appendix A. 4.24 Place a small amount of soapy water on the Luer Port. If it leaks it will need to be replaced (Luer Port part # 7147). To replace the port, unscrew it and clean the threads in the housing. Then apply a sealant (e.g.
Operator’s Manual 9. Eliminate the oxygen from the Glass Bottle used as a Blank (i.e., purge the bottle). If you are running a study that includes anaerobic organisms, then eliminate the oxygen from the Glass Bottle used as a Blank by following the procedure below. You will need a source of CO2 regulated to 8-10 psi for this procedure. 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.
Operator’s Manual 10. Add Sample, Buffer, and Inoculum to all non-Blank Glass Bottles to be used in your study. Place your sample, buffer, and inoculum into the non-Blank Glass Bottles. 11. Eliminate the oxygen from the non-Blank Glass Bottles. If you are running a study that includes anaerobic organisms, then eliminate the oxygen from the non-Blank Glass Bottles by following the procedure detailed in step 9 above. 12. Configure your GPM software for your study. 12.1 12.
Operator’s Manual Troubleshooting The ANKOM Technology web site has the most current troubleshooting and replacement parts information. Therefore, if you have any questions about the operation of your ANKOMRF Gas Production System, or if you need replacement parts, please visit our web site at www.ankom.com. pg.
Operator’s Manual Appendix A – Vent Valve Cleaning Your ANKOMRF Gas Production System comes with a Vent Valve Cleaning Kit (part #RF22) that includes a syringe and Vent Valve Adapter. To clean the vent valve you will need the Vent Valve Cleaning Kit, the Module Assembly, and some warm soapy water (see pictures below). Vent Valve Adapter Warm soapy water Vent Valve Cleaning Kit If the vent valve fails to operate properly, it can be cleaned by following the procedure below.
Operator’s Manual Appendix B – Buffer, Inoculum, & Sample prep for Rumen studies Buffer: Goering - Van Soest (see ref. 3) The information contained herein comes from the following paper: Goering, H.K. and Van Soest, P.J., 1970, Forage fiber analysis (apparatus, reagents, procedures and some applications), Agricultural Handbook No. 379 ARS-USDA, Washington, DC. To prepare for the study of apparent digestibility within ruminant animals using the Goering – Van Soest buffer, follow the procedure below.
Operator’s Manual Buffer / Mineral Solution: Cone (see ref. 4) Solution NaHCO3 NH4HCO3 Na2HPO4 KH2PO4 MgSO4·7H2O Na2S CaCl2·2 H2O MnCl2·4 H2O CoCl2·6 H2O FeCl3·6 H2O Resazurin (optional) grams / liter 8.75 1.00 1.43 1.55 0.15 0.52 0.017 0.015 0.002 0.012 0.125 Buffer: Kansas State (see ref. 5) Mix 20 ml of Solution B with 1000 ml of Solution A and adjust pH to 6.8 by adding Solution B before each use. Solution A KH2PO4 MgSO4·7 H2O NaCl CaCl2·2 H2O Urea (optional) grams / liter 10.0 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.
Operator’s Manual Sample Preparation The quantity of sample (substrate) to add to the Module will vary from 1g for a forage sample with minimal fermentable substrate to 0.25 g for a highly fermentable substrate such as a high starch diet. In addition to the quantity of fermentable substrate, the length of time the incubation is conducted must be taken into consideration. The quantities of substrate and buffer may be sufficient for 24 hour incubation but may not be sufficient for a 48 hour incubation.
Operator’s Manual Appendix C – Head Space Analysis The collection of gas for Head Space Analysis can be done through the septa port on the glass bottle shown below using a gas-tight syringe. Septa Port Liquid can also be sampled through this port by rotating the bottle and allowing the liquid into the port area. Glass bottles with septa ports can be ordered separately. If gas or liquid are removed through the septa port the computer will see it as a loss in pressure.
Operator’s Manual Appendix D – Conversion of Pressure to Gas Production Calculation of Gas Produced in ml at 39°C with pressure measured in psi The ANKOMRF Gas Production System is configurable to allow for gas pressure measurements in either psi or mbar units. For the purposes of this discussion, we will refer to gas pressure measurements in psi.
Operator’s Manual Appendix E – Base Coordinator Specifications The Base Coordinator is a Radio Frequency (RF) modem that allows each Module to remotely communicate with your computer. Reset Switch Dip Switch Performance Antenna USB Port Power Output: 60 mW (18 dBm), 100 mW Outdoor/RF Line of Sight Range: up to 1mile (1.6km) RF Data Rate: 250,000 bps Operating Frequency: 2.4 GHz/ Receiver Sensitivity: -100 dBm Temperature Rating: 0 – 70° C Frequency Band: 2.4000 - 2.
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