Physical Property Analyzer PPA4100 Series

On-Line RVP Analyzer

PPA4100 Series

More accurate, on-line measurement of Reid Vapor Pressure will save millions of dollars
in gasoline blending... the PPA4100 is more than an analyzer... it’s a profit-maker.

The PPA4100 Reid Vapor Pressure
(RVP) Analyzer from ABB offers the
first new on-line instrument design
in 25 years for accurately measuring
RVP, throughout the gasoline range
of 0-20 psia.
Its design allows refineries to eco-
nomically comply with demanding
volatility regulations for gasoline
blending; established by the Clean
Air Act and its amendments and
enforced by the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency (EPA). The PPA4100
may also be effectively applied for
RVP compliance in custody transfer
of gasoline product at pipelines
and terminals.
The PPA4100 offers a simple,
reliable, compact design that
requires minimal operator interface
and minimal maintenance.
This physical property analyzer
incorporates a single measuring
cell with a pressure transducer.
50CC @ 15 PSI N2
Sample Purge
In addition to the measuring cell,
three solenoid valves control the
filling and emptying of the cell.
All timing functions are provided
by the PPA4100 microprocessor
on the logic board.
Analysis results are obtained in
approximately 8.5 minutes. During
this time the cell is purged, zeroed
and the sample filled. After sample
equilibration, the final pressure
reading is obtained. Throughout the
cycle, the instrument performs self-
diagnostics for temperature, purge
pressure, sample-filling and cell-
leaking, as well as over pressure
protection.
The PPA4100’s cell is designed so
that the total cell volume and the
amount of sample introduced are
fixed; resulting in a vapor-to-liquid
ratio of 4:1. This 4:1 ratio is a require-
ment defined by the ASTM D323
manual method of measuring RVP,
which was first published in 1930.
Liquid Sample
Volume 2.5 ml
The ASTM D323 Method also
requires the measured temperature
to be 100 °F +- 0.2 °F. The PPA4100’s
cell temperature is controlled to
100 °F +- 0.1 °F.
The 4:1 fixed ratio and more
reliably controlled temperature
results in RVP measurements that
exceed the ASTM D323 manual
method, with no correction factors
or instrument calibration required.
The PPA4100 also gives equivalent
results to the ASTM D5191 mini-
method, when run in an off-line
mode. The primary difference
between the PPA4100 and the
devices listed in D5191 is that the
PPA4100 operates in an atmospher-
ic basis. The devices described in
D5191 operate on a vacuum basis.
When run in its normal on-line
mode, the PPA4100’s results
exceed the D5191 method.
In 1993 the PPA4100 became ASTM
Method D5428-93 – Standard Test
Method for Vapor Pressure of Petro-
leum Products (Mini-Method –
Atmospheric).*

450CC @ 15 PSI N2 Cell Volume 12.5 ml

Sample In

Measuring
Cell

Cell Temperature
100 °F +- 1 °F

Flameproof
Breather

Cell Purge
Nitrogen

Flameproof
Breather

* This method applies only when

Sample Drain
(Must Vent To Atmosphere)
operated in the off-line mode and
when the optional user coefficients
are not used.
PPA4100 Series
The PPA4100 allows refineries to use more economical blending additives,
at their most cost-efficient levels, to achieve required reductions in volatility.
For years, refineries used butanes
for blending. Butanes are readily
available, economical, and increase
fuel vapor pressure as well as
octane. Their use was and is
directly related to refinery profits.
The EPA enforces volatility regu-
lations for gasoline. Generally,
gasoline vapor pressure should
be less than 9 psi in the summer
months and greater than 9 psi in the
winter months. The requirements
for individual states are summarized
in ASTM D4818, Table 4.
This regulation, along with the
addition of oxygenates and other
compliance requirements, have
redefined gasoline blending rules
and left refineries vulnerable to
hundreds of millions of dollars
in additional costs.
The challenge is to measure RVP as
accurately as possible, so that refiner-
ies can meet both their compliance
and performance objectives. Refinery
industry sources have projected that
for every 0.1 psi in increased RVP
accuracy, the typical refinery will
save from 0.5 to 1 million dollars
annually.
With the PPA4100, refineries have
an on-line instrument that will
precisely measure Reid Vapor
Pressure; allowing the refinery to
effectively control the volatility of
blended gasoline, optimize blend-
ing processes and reduce blending
costs to their minimum levels.
Pipeline and terminal operators will
also find that the PPA4100 is an
economical and effective instrument
for RVP compliance, with either
on-line or off-line application.
Service, Support and
Maintenance
The PPA4100 is designed to minimize
the need for maintenance, operator
training and other support services.
However, if the client should require
or request, ABB Analytical will pro-
vide start-up services, maintenance
services, training services, recondi-
tioning, repair and replacement parts
service.
Training services are available for
virtually every aspect of operating
and maintaining ABB Analytical
analyzers. Training may be arranged
on-site or at any of our training
centers.
Maintenance services are available
on an unscheduled, as-needed
basis, or by way of long-term,
scheduled maintenance agreements.
For off-line applications and verification
of on-line results, a specialized syringe
is available that provides a convenient
method to draw an air-free sample,
with sufficient pressure to introduce the
sample to the measuring cell. Syringe
volume is approximately 95 milliliters.
PPA4100 Series

RVP Analyzer designated as ASTM Method D5482-93 in the off-line mode.

Specifications
Performance Specifications General Installation Requirements
Cycle Time: 8.5 min. (4-20 ma output is held at 1/4 inch tube connections for:
the current value and updated after N2 Supply
each cycle). Sample In
Repeatability: 0.05 psia. Low Pressure Return
Reproducibility: 0.2 psia. Cell Drain
Operating Range: 0.20 psia. Seals: Standard seal material is Kalrez.
Pressure Transducer: High performance, Electrical Power:
accuracy 0.5 % of full scale. VAC, 50/60 Hz, 2 amps.
Outputs: 4-20 ma isolated into 600 OHM max. Protect the analyzer from direct sunlight and rain.
Common alarm output N.O. or N.C. Ambient temperature not to exceed 90 °F.
28 VDC at 0.1 amps max. End-of-cycle Cell drain must be unrestricted vent to atmosphere.
contact – voltage less contact closure Cell drain spent sample approximately 1000 cc/day.
capable of switching 28 VDC at 0.1 Must have 50-100 micron filtration up-stream of the
amps maximum. Contact is energized analyzer (provided by user).
for approximately 10 seconds at the Minimum sample inlet operating pressure 35 psia.
end of each update. Maximum low pressure return 30 psia (based on
sample inlet pressure).
Dimensions Sample temperature not to exceed 90 °F.
Weight: Approximately 100 lbs. (45.36 kg). Nitrogen supply (instrument grade).
Height: 54 inches (1371.6 mm).
Depth: 9.56 inches (242.9 mm). Note: It is the customer’s responsibility to provide a SIN-
Width: 30 inches (762.0 mm). GLE-PHASE SAMPLE for this system. The sample
CANNOT be a two-phase sample containing undis-
solved water and its associated compounds.

Area Classification
Class 1, Groups B, C, D Division 1. T6
ATEX: II2G EExdIIB+H2 T6

9.75 (247.7)
30.00 (762.0) 1.625 (41.3)

33.75 (857.3)

54.00 (1371.6)

1.00 (25.4) Typical 1.00 (25.4) Typical 8.75 (222.3) Specifications Subject To
Change Without Notice.
PPA4100 Series

The only on-line RVP analyzer Minimal operator interface.

designated as an ASTM Method.* Requires no calibration.
Simple, single-cell design… Small compact design.
virtually maintenance free.
Microprocessor-based.
Validates every analysis via
self-diagnostics.

Controller

Controller Housing
– Logic Board
– Power Supply Board
– Display Board
Hinged Door – Opens 180°

Analyzer

Explosion-Proof Housing
Measuring Cell
Sample Drain Solenoid

Sample System

The PPA4100’s fast loop liquid sample

system is comprised of the necessary
analytical components to control pres-
sure, filtration, and flow direction for
the N2 purge gas, the on-line sample,
the cell drain, the low pressure return,
and the standard sample introduction.

Nitrogen Inlet
Low Pressure Process Return
Sample Inlet
Syringe In Mounting Assembly

Fast Loop Return To Process

* ASTM Method D5482-93 –

When operated in off-line mode.
 PPA4100 Series
Physical Property Analyzer PPA4100
On-line RVP Analyzer
Options
PPA4101 and PPA4102
The PPA4101, High Reid Vapor
Pressure analyzer provides a
measuring range of 0-90 psia.
The PPA4102, LPG analyzer provides
a pressure range of 0-225 psia.
Pressure Transducer Lookup
Table
Enables new and replacement cell
transducers to be linearized. It is a
factory adjustment only. (Standard)
Off-Line Diagnostics
Requires approximately 11 minutes
to run. Checks for leaks into and out
of the measuring cell. (Standard)
User Coefficients
Span and zero correlation coeffi-
cients, that are determined by the
user, can be used to alter the RVP
output to match another external
method. (Optional)
Diagnostic Test for N2 Purge
Ensures that the N2 purge is within
specified limits. (Standard)
ABB Inc. Analytical Products
843 N. Jefferson Street • Lewisburg, WV 24901 USA
Office: 304.647.4358 • Fax: 304.645.4236
SwirlKleanTM Filter
Available for streams that require
removal of free water. (Optional)
Vortex Cooler
Cools the measuring cell housing
when the ambient temperature
exceeds 90 °F. Includes the vortex
cooling plate, an air pressure gauge,
temperature controlled air valve and
a manual shut-off valve. A minimum
of 80 psia, at a flow rate of 12 scfm,
allows the analyzer temperature to
operate in a maxiumum ambient
temperature of 104 °F. (Optional)
Serial Output
Allows data transmission only from
RVP analyzer to customer’s serial
device. Output is an RS-232 format,
with one start bit, eight data bits,
one stop bit and no parity. Data is
transmitted as ASCII characters. Can
support baud rates of 300, 2400 or
4800. Baud rates are factory set and
cannot be changed by the end user.
(Optional)
Recovery Systems
The PPA4100’s design requires that
the cell drain be an unrestricted
vent to atmosphere. This optional
recovery system provides the
needed ventilation, automatically
monitors the level of spent sample
and pumps the sample to the
process return at up to 40 psi. The
system features a fiber optic
monitor, a one-gallon capacity, an
explosion-proof pump, and an air
eductor to ensure that no sample
vapors escape the tank into the
operating area.
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