™ User’s Manual Heath Consultants Incorporated Houston, TX Phone: 713-844-1300 Fax: 713-844-1309 1-800-HEATH-US www.heathus.com 101515-0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Heath....
Notice The contents of this user’s manual are proprietary to Heath Consultants Incorporated (HEATH). Reproduction in whole or in part of this manual is prohibited without the express written consent of HEATH. HEATH operates under a continual product improvement program and reserves the right to make improvements and or changes without prior notification. This manual supersedes all previous manuals for this instrument. RMLD™ is a HEATH registered trademark. © COPYRIGHT 2005 Heath Consultants Incorporated.
Warnings It is essential that users of this instrument read, understand, and follow the instructions for operation and maintenance, and the precautions contained in this manual to insure that the instrument is used in a proper and safe manner. **Danger** The visible green Spotter laser is a Class IIIa laser product. Do not stare into beam or view directly with optical instruments. Spotter laser Fig. 1-1 **Caution** No attempt should be made to repair the instrument.
Table Of Contents Notice................................................................……….. Warnings.......................................................................... Overview................................................................…….. 2 3 6 Chapter I RMLD System Specifications......................................... RMLD System Components…………………………… Controller......................................................................... Transceiver ..........................................
Chapter IV Surveying with the RMLD……………………………… Long Range Scanning…………………………………… Dealing with False Detections…………………………… How Does the RMLD Measure Gas?……………………. 23 24 26 26 Chapter V Maintenance and Troubleshooting Information Troubleshooting the Instrument .................................…. Maintenance..................................................................... 29 31 Chapter VI Service Information Warranties and Warranty Repair .................................
Overview The HEATH Remote Methane Leak Detector (RMLD™) is a highly advanced technology, capable of detecting methane leaks from a remote distance. The RMLD is the first of a new generation of leak survey instruments that will greatly improve the productivity and safety of a walking survey. With the RMLD it is now possible to survey areas that are hard to reach or not easily accessible.
The RMLD consists of two main interactive components: • Transceiver • Control Module Fig 1-3: The RMLD system consists of a Laser Emitter/Receiver and a Control Module The Transceiver has two lasers. The Infrared laser is non visible and is continuously on while the unit is turned on. The operator turns on the visible green Spotter laser by depressing the trigger button. The RMLD operates under a variety of environmental conditions including cold or hot weather and light rain.
Chapter I RMLD System Specifications Detection Method: Measurement Range: Sensitivity: Detection Distance: Beam Size: Detection Alarms Modes System Fault Warning Self Test & Calibration Compliance: Laser Eye Safety: (CDRH, ANSI and IEC) Display: Operating Temperature Humidity Enclosure: Instrument Weight: Carry Case: Power Supply Battery Operating Life Battery Charger Shoulder Strap 101515-0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) 0 to 99,999 ppm-m 5 ppm-m at distance from
RMLD System Components This Chapter describes the features of the RMLD. Please refer to Figure 1-4 for illustrations of individual parts. Calibration Cell Manual & Training Video Carrying Case External Power Supply (optional) Shoulder Strap Earphone RMLD Battery Charger Charger Adaptors Fig. 1-4: System Components.
Transceiver The transceiver provides the laser launch for the infrared detection beam, visible green spotter laser, and spotter laser button. Harness hooks are provided to allow the unit to be suspended from the harness. Carrying Strap The RMLD is provided with a single carrying strap with shoulder pad. An optional dual strap harness is also available. Battery Charger The battery charger is provided to recharge the instrument after use.
Optional Accessories Dual Shoulder Strap Harness The dual shoulder strap harness provides extra comfort and support for carrying the instrument for an extended time. The built-in lanyard is used to carry the weight of the transceiver and provide additional stability and control of the unit while surveying. HEATH strongly suggests that this harness be used by personnel who use the instrument on a continuous basis to limit fatigue when holding the transceiver and to improve surveying technique.
Chapter II Battery Charging Rechargeable Battery The RMLD has an internal, rechargeable Li-ion battery that provides the main power to the instrument. This battery is designed to provide 8 hours of operating time when fully charged. The battery must be recharged between use to assure no interruption in use. The display features a battery life remaining indicator. Accuracy of this indicator is within 20% of the actual capacity. This indicator should be used only as a reference.
Battery Charger The RMLD is provided with a universal AC battery charger. The plug of the charger can be changed to fit the type of receptacle used in your location. Charging Procedure To recharge the internal battery, perform the following procedure: 1. Turn the instrument off. 2. Plug the AC plug into a surge-protected outlet. 3. Plug the charger plug into the RMLD charger port. 4. A blinking green light indicates that the charger is charging. 5.
Chapter III Operating the RMLD This chapter provides information on the use of the RMLD. It provides an explanation of working with the menu, setting operational parameters, or enabling functions of the instrument. Battery Indicator DMD icon Gas Concentration Volume Warning DMD button Error Backlight icon Up Down button Select button Re-Try Self-Test OK Spotter icon Fig. 3-1 Figure 1: RMLD front panel and display. (Note: for illustration, all the display icons are shown.
Headphone port RS-232 port Charger port External Power port Power Switch Fig. 3-2: RMLD rear panel Headphone port: receptacle for the headphone plug. Charger port: receptacle for the battery charger plug. Power Switch: depress the switch to turn the instrument on/off. Ext. Power: receptacle for the external backup battery plug. RS-232 port: receptacle for a DB-9 connector for interfacing to a PC (Used for factory calibration purposes only).
Turning On the Spotter Laser **Caution** The green spotter laser in under the control of the operator and is on only when the spotter trigger switch is depressed. While using the green spotter laser, be courteous to others by not shining it towards their eyes or causing vehicle drivers to be distracted. This type of laser is commonly sold in retail stores and used for business presentations. It is safe as long as the operator properly uses it.
By pressing the Select button, the Menu options are scrolled through in the following order: • Self-Test i. Press Up button to initiate the Self-Test and Calibration 1. Press the Up button to acknowledge user prompts (OK or Retry). Ready to start Self-Test • VOL i. Press Up button to increase the volume level. ii. Press Down button to decrease the volume level. • SPO i. Press Up button to enable or disable the Spotter laser. • AL i. Press Up button to increase the Alarm Detection Threshold. ii.
• BACLI i. Press Up button to turn on or to turn off the display backlight. Fig. 3-5 Although the ppm-m readout will not be updating, the instrument will still operate properly while in a menu option other than the run display. Using the DMD Mode The Digital Methane Detection (DMD) mode is a highly sophisticated detection algorithm that greatly enhances the use of the RMLD. In most situations, the operator should survey with the DMD mode turned on.
warning is sounding, the RMLD may still be able to detect very large gas concentrations, indicated by a high pitch tone. The Alarm Detection Threshold controls the sensitivity of the DMD. The operator can adjust the Alarm Detection Threshold. Your company’s survey procedure may require the use of a specific value or procedure to set it. Set the Alarm Detection Threshold such that the false detection rate is low, while not too high that leaks are missed.
5. If the location with the highest pitch is consistent then the location of the leak is at that spot. 6. If the pitches are not consistent then keep working the area. The gas plume may be drifting around causing inconsistent readings. In some cases, the gas plume may be large enough that localization is not very accurate. Self-Test and Calibration The RMLD has a built-in function to perform a Self-Test and Calibration of the laser wavelength.
Press the UP button to return to the beginning of the SELF-TEST and refer to the next section: Calibration Override. 7. Press the UP button. This will initiate the calibration sweep of the laser wavelength. This takes about 45 seconds to complete and you will notice that the gas concentration readings will go up and down. 8. When the OK icon is once again displayed, the instrument has passed the laser calibration. a. If the RETRY icon is displayed the instrument failed the calibration.
When the Self-Test fails.
Chapter IV Surveying with the RMLD A training video is provided with the RMLD, which demonstrates the best overview of techniques used. It is important to learn these techniques in order to properly survey and locate methane leaks. The purpose of the video is to familiarize a leak surveyor on the use of the RMLD. It does not provide basic leak survey training. Refer to your company’s specific training and procedures for being qualified for leak surveying.
• Move in closer if the range is too far or ground elevation causes the beam to not come into contact with the ground (dark zones). While scanning a service where the location is not known: • Use an “X” pattern or similar pattern to thoroughly scan the area. • Target typical vent areas i.e., along the street or sidewalk edges. • Target locations where valves may be placed. • Scan along the foundation of the structure.
Be aware of the ground elevation. Scanning across the top of a knoll or past the edge of a structure can result in beam skips (a sudden change in distance) which may give you a false detection. Fig. 4-1: Sudden change in distance may cause a false detection. Obstructions or variations in the landscape can cause dark zones where the laser doesn’t scan. Look for the best angle to thoroughly scan these areas. Scanning up a hillside may cause beam skipping or dark zones around the foundation of a structure.
Dealing with False Detections While using the DMD mode, several conditions may occur that will cause the algorithm to give a detection indication. The most common situations are: • Abrupt or jerky motions causing the scanning distance to rapidly change. • Overly strong returns due to strong reflectors. The most common point that a false detection occurs is in the 50 ft (15 m) range. This is due to the beam footprint becoming very large.
D ir e c t S u n a n d A m b ie n t L ig h t A d d s D e t e c t e d T o p o g r a p h ic B a c k s c a t te r o f B a c k g ro u n d P h o to n s L a s e r L ig h t a n d B a c k g r o u n d L ig h t C o lle c te d b y R e c e iv e r D e te c to r L a s e r L i g h t B e c o m e s E le c tric it y Fig.
Fig. 4-5: The ppm-m reading is the product of the plume concentration times the distance the IR beam passes through the plume (plume width) in addition to any background gas. As the scan distance increases, the size of the IR beam “footprint” increases. The IR beam width is about 22” at 100 ft. It is important to note that the laser beam “footprint” width and distance increases as the distance increases (see Figure 4-5). This is why it is much easier to detect leaks from a distance of 10 to 15 ft.
Chapter V Maintenance and Troubleshooting Information Troubleshooting the Instrument The advanced design of the RMLD makes it one of the most reliable leak survey instruments available. However, should you experience problems with the instrument or suspect that the instrument is not operating properly, do not use the instrument for leak survey work until the problem is resolved. Only a qualified RMLD repair technician should attempt to repair or adjust the instrument.
Excessive false detections while scanning at longer distances Excessive false detections while scanning at closer distances Excessive false detections or loss of sensitivity Error icon or Warning icon on continuously • • Low battery Scanning too fast • Alarm detection threshold set too low • Scanning at the range limit of the instrument • Scanning too fast • Alarm detection threshold set too low 101515-0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Increase the Alarm detection threshold • Move in closer • Avoid making
Maintenance In order to maintain the RMLD in good working condition, the following maintenance should be performed as indicated: Maintenance Item Clean outer surfaces with damp rag Clean Transceiver window with damp KemWipe™ or equivalent none abrasive lens tissue Self-Test and Calibration Internal battery recharge 101515-0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Frequency As needed As needed to prevent dust or water stain build up Daily to insure that the instrument is functioning properly Recharge to full capacity after each
Chapter VI Service Information Warranties and Warranty Repair The RMLD is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for one (1) year from date of shipment. The warranty on authorized repairs in the Houston Factory Service Center (FSC) is ninety (90) days materials and labor. This repair warranty does not extend any other applicable warranties. Our warranty covers only failures due to defects in materials or workmanship.
Glossary Beam Skip: Occurs when the IR beam jumps between a near object and a far away object. This may cause a false detection. Control Module: The portion of the RMLD with the keypad and display that clips onto a harness. Dark Zone: An area not being scanned due to an obstruction. This may be an elevation change, the side of a building, behind a curb, etc.
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RMLD Daily Self-Test and Calibration Log RMLD S/N Date Operator 101515-0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Passed Self-Test? Self-Test ppm-m Reading Alarm Level Notes Page 34 of 36
Declaration of Conformity Manufacture’s Name: Manufacture’s Address: Heath Consultants 9030 Monroe Road Houston, TX 77061 Model: Remote Methane Leak Detector Has been demonstrated to be in compliance with the European EMC directive (89/336/EEC), FCC 47 CFR, Part 15, Subpart B, Class A, and ANSI C63.4, and is in accordance with the following standards: EN 61326-1 Conducted Emissions Radiated Emissions FCC 47 CFR Part 15 ANSI C63.
Technical Support 1-800-HEATH-US (1-800-432-8487) HOUSTON FACTORY SERVICE CENTER Heath Consultants Manufacturing Division 9030 Monroe Road Houston, Texas 77061 Phone - (713) 844-1300 Fax - (713) 844-1309 www.heathus.
