GCH-300 Information

GCH-300 Features

• Designed to preheat a standard 2” OD 300cc gas sample cylinders
• Low power (50 watts @ 12V DC) plugs directly into a cigarette lighter
  
• Works with either stainless steel or aluminum cylinders
  
• Quickly preheats cylinder to 140°F, Cold to Hot in about 10 minutes
  
• Microprocessor based temperature controller with digital temperature display
  
• Rugged plastic case provides a safe compact environment for heating the cylinder plus a safe and durable method for handling the heated cylinder
  
• Enclosure insulates heated cylinder to allow for additional hot sampling time
  
• Dual heaters help insure uniform heating of the sample cylinder
  
• Increased safety provided by thermal fuses and transient protection diodes
  
  

Links

>>American Petroleum Institute (API)

>>Gas Processors Association (GPA)

>>GPA 2166-05 Obtaining Natural Gas Samples for Analysis by Gas Chromatography

>>API MPMS14.1 Natural Gas Fluids Measurements, Collecting and Handling of Natural Gas Samples for Custody Transfer, Sixth Edition

Overview

The most commonly used gas sampling method is the fill and empty purge method. Recent updates to industry sampling standards, such as GPA 2166 and API 14.1, recommend that the cylinder be preheated to a temperature above the hydrocarbon dew point of the flowing gas before the cylinder is used to collect a gas sample. If the cylinder is initially preheated, the heat generated from compression during the fill and empty cycles will keep the cylinder heated above the expected hydrocarbon dew point temperature. The GCH-300 provides a simple, efficient solution to cylinder preheating for spot sampling. It consist of the heater enclosure and a controller. To use the GCH-300, a cold empty cylinder is placed inside the heater enclosure and the controller cable is connected. Sample cylinder temperature is displayed while it is heated. When fully heated, the controller will keep the cylinder at the set temperature (140°F) until you are ready to disconnect the controller cable and take the sample. The hot cylinder stays in the heater enclosure until the sampling process is finished.

Details

The heater assembly is enclosed within a hard plastic case designed to resist impact and handling abuse while providing a safe method for handling the heated cylinder. Even when the cylinder is heated to 140°F, it can be safely handled because the enclosure remains cool. The enclosure also provides thermal insulation to help keep the cylinder hot while taking the sample. A stainless steel spring clip holds the cylinder in place and helps provide uniform heating of the sample cylinder. Two heaters, each with a temperature sensor and thermal fuse, are monitored and controlled by a microprocessor based temperature controller. Heating progress can be monitored using the controllers LED digital temperature display. The GCH-300 is completely portable and requires no installation. Power is provided by a standard vehicle 12 volt power point or cigarette lighter plug. The GCH-300 is safe to use in hazardous locations because the heating is done inside the vehicle. When the controller is disconnected, the heater enclosure connector is protected by a water-proof cap — allowing the heater to be used in rainy or wet environments if needed.