Computer Controlled Soil Moisture Suction Sand Unit

The Computer Controlled Soil Moisture Suction Sand Unit, to study and understand the water retentivity principles in terms of soil suction, the relationship between water retentivity and soil and the derivation of soil moisture characteristic curves.

ATENG 11633 — Computer Controlled Soil Moisture Suction Sand Unit

(for main items)

• With this unit there are several options and possibilities:
• Main items: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
• Optional items: 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.
• Let us describe first the main items (1 to 6):
• 1PAHSC. Unit:
  Bench-top unit.
  Anodized aluminum structure and panels of painted steel.
  Main metallic elements of stainless steel.
  Diagram in the front panel with similar distribution to the elements in the real unit.
• Suction system, including:
• Water tank with drain valve, capacity: 6 l, approx.
• Computer controlled water pump, max. Flow: 3 l/min.
• Water jet pump, flow: 5 l/min, suction flow: 0.5 l/min.
  It includes a quick action connection to fit the tubing that is connected to a pressure sensor.
• Soils container, including:
  Transparent cylindrical tank for filling with sand. It includes two drain valves and a metallic filter to
• avoid sand transport to the water tank. Tank diameter: 200 mm, capacity: 10 l.
  Transparent cover to prevent evaporative water loss during the practical exercises. It includes two
  quick action connections to fit the tubings that are connected to a pressure sensor and an air inlet
  (pressure inlet).
  Three soil sample retaining rings. They include a metallic filter to avoid sand transport to the water
• tank. Diameter of each one: 60 mm, capacity of each one: 0.6 l.
• Sensors:
• Pressure sensor, situated in the suction system, range: -1 – 1 bar. Unit: ATENG 11633
• Pressure sensor, situated in the cylindrical tank, range: 0 – 2 bar.
• Flow sensor, situated in the suction system, range: 0.25 – 6.5 l/min.
  Four water volume sensors (humidity) situated in the soil sample retaining rings and in the soils
  container.
• The complete unit includes as well:
  Advanced Real-Time SCADA.
  Open Control + Multicontrol + Real-Time Control.
  Specialized Control Software based on LabVIEW.
  National Instruments Data Acquisition board (250 KS/s, kilo samples per second).
  Calibration exercises, which are included, teach the user how to calibrate a sensor and the
  importance of checking the accuracy of the sensors before taking measurements.
  Projector and/or electronic whiteboard compatibility allows the unit to be explained and
  demonstrated to an entire class at one time.
  Capable of doing applied research, real industrial simulation, training courses, etc.
  Remote operation and control by the user, as well as remote support from technical
  support, are always included.
  Totally safe, utilizing 4 safety systems (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic & Software).
  Designed and manufactured under several quality standards.
  Optional ICAI software to create, edit and carry out practical exercises, tests, exams,
  calculations, etc. Apart from monitoring user's knowledge and progress reached.
  This unit has been designed for future expansion and integration. A common expansion is
  the Scada-Net (ESN) System which enables multiple students to simultaneously
  operate many units in a network.
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Complete Technical Specifications (for main items)

• PAHSC/CIB. Control Interface Box:
  The Control Interface Box is part of the SCADA system.
  Control interface box with process diagram in the front panel and with the same distribution that
  the different elements located in the unit, for an easy understanding by the student.
• All sensors, with their respective signals, are properly manipulated from -10V. to +10V. computer output.
  Sensors connectors in the interface have different pines numbers (from 2 to 16), to avoid
  connection errors.
  Single cable between the control interface box and computer.
  The unit control elements are permanently computer controlled, without necessity of
  changes or connections during the whole process test procedure.
  Simultaneous visualization in the computer of all parameters involved in the process.
  Calibration of all sensors involved in the process.
  Real time curves representation about system responses.
  Storage of all the process data and results in a file.
  Graphic representation, in real time, of all the process/system responses.
  All the actuators’ values can be changed at any time from the keyboard allowing the
  analysis about curves and responses of the whole process.
  All the actuators and sensors values and their responses are displayed on only one screen in the
  computer.
  Shield and filtered signals to avoid external interferences.
  Real time computer control with flexibility of modifications from the computer keyboard PAHSC/CIB
  of the parameters, at any moment during the process.
  Real time computer control for pumps, compressors, heating elements, control valves, etc.
  Real time computer control for parameters involved in the process simultaneously.
  Open control allowing modifications, at any moment and in real time, of parameters involved in the
  process simultaneously.
  Three safety levels, one mechanical in the unit, another electronic in the control interface and
  the third one in the control software.
• 3 DAB. Data Acquisition Board:
  The Data Acquisition board is part of the SCADA system.
  PCI Express Data acquisition board (National Instruments) to be placed in a computer slot. Bus
  PCI Express.
• Analog input:
  Number of channels= 16 single-ended or 8 differential. Resolution=16 bits, 1 in 65536.
• Sampling rate up to: 250 KS/s (kilo samples per second).
• Input range (V)=±10 V. Data transfers=DMA, interrupts, programmed I/0. DMA channels=6.
• Analog output:
  Number of channels=2. Resolution=16 bits, 1 in 65536.
• Maximum output rate up to: 900 KS/s.
  DAB
• Output range (V)=±10 V. Data transfers=DMA, interrupts, programmed I/0.
• Digital Input/Output:
• Number of channels=24 inputs/outputs. D0 or DI Sample Clock frequency: 0 to 100 MHz.
• Timing: Number of Counter/timers=4. Resolution: Counter/timers: 32 bits.
  The Data Acquisition board model may change at any moment, providing the same or better
  features than those required for the unit.
• 4 PAHSC/CCSOF. Computer Control + Data Acquisition + Data Management Software:
  The three softwares are part of the SCADA system.
  Compatible with actual Windows operating systems. Graphic and intuitive simulation of the
  process in screen. Compatible with the industry standards.
  Registration and visualization of all process variables in an automatic and simultaneous way.
  Flexible, open and multicontrol software, developed with actual windows graphic systems,
  acting simultaneously on all process parameters.
  Management, processing, comparison and storage of data.
  Sampling velocity up to 250 KS/s (kilo samples per second).
  Calibration system for the sensors involved in the process.
  It allows the registration of the alarms state and the graphic representation in real time.
  Comparative analysis of the obtained data, after the process and modification of the conditions
  during the process.
  Open software, allowing the teacher to modify texts, instructions. Teacher’s and
  student’s passwords to facilitate the teacher’s control on the student, and allowing the access PAHSC/CCSOF
  to different work levels.
  This unit allows the 30 students of the classroom to visualize simultaneously all the results
  and the manipulation of the unit, during the process, by using a projector or an electronic
  whiteboard.
  5 Cables and Accessories, for normal operation.
• 6Manuals:
• This unit is supplied with 8 manuals: Required services, Assembly and Installation, Interface and
  Control software, Starting-up, Safety, Maintenance, Calibration & Practices manuals.
• References 1 to 6 are the main items: ATENG 11633 + PAHSC/CIB + DAB + PAHSC/CCSOF + Cables and Accessories + Manuals are
  included in the minimum supply for enabling normal and full operation.
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