OPM--Priority Instrumentation and Test Project Update: Activity Status No. 17 To: "E - All WRD Employees" Subject: HIF Project Update No. 17 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Thu, 21 Mar 1996 13:49:04 -0600 From: "Dorothy E Greenwood, Secretary (Steno), Bay St. Louis, MS" Memorandum To: All WRD Employees From: Acting Chief, Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility Subject: OPM--Priority Instrumentation and Test Project Update: Activity Status No. 17 Following is a summary of instrumentation projects assigned for responsibility and execution to the Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) by the Instrumentation Committee (ICOM). Project sequence corresponds to the priorities recommended by the Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee (ITAS) and approved by the ICOM. Additional priority projects have been assigned to other Water Resources Division (WRD) offices and will be reported at a later date. We welcome your comments, suggestions, questions, or interest in participation. Any questions concerning the listed projects should be directed to Sammy Wilbourn, HIF Field Coordinator (WILBOURN) at 601-688-1555, Jim Jelinski (JELINSKI) at 601-688-1547, or Doreen Tai (DYTAI) at 601-688-1518. PLEASE NOTE: Due to personnel changes/retirements at the HIF, progress on all mechanical engineering projects has been delayed. SOUNDING-LINE/TAG-LINE RELEASE OR SHEARING DEVICES -- A preliminary investigation indicates that the A-reel drag brake changes suggested by OSW are practical. Work has begun to design a new version of the brake. A preliminary engineering design and sketch has been made of an assembly to mount a commercial hammer-driven cable cutter to the boat outfit, to cut the boat tagline if needed in an emergency situtation. We plan to review the preliminary design with OSW and to build an engineering model. PYGMY CAT WHISKER REPLACEMENT -- HIF plans to present a proposal at the June ICOM meeting to study the feasibility of installing a magnetic switch closure in the Pygmy meter. If feasible, the magnetic switch will provide a cleaner electrical output signal from the pygmy meter, making it more suitable for use with electronic counters. SAND POINT CABLECAR BRAKE -- Four aluminum-version Sand-Point-style cablecar brakes are undergoing field testing. Initial reports are that the brakes are working well. A contract to fabricate 25 brakes for initial warehouse stock has been awarded. We expect to have the 25 initial stock available for sale by April, 1996. ONE-STOP SHOPPING -- This is a project to create an on-line computerized ordering system, so that people could go to a single on-line location to order equipment from HIF, FISP, the Ocala lab, or the NWQL. (This project has been deferred to FY97). PLASTIC BUCKET WHEELS -- This is a project to build a plastic bucket wheel for the Price AA meter that would closely conform to the performance of the present metal bucket wheel. Plans are to submit a proposal for a feasibility study to the ICOM at the June meeting. ANALYSIS OF CABLECAR LOAD-BEARING CAPACITY -- No significant progress was made during the month. A stress analysis of the USGS stand-up cablecar has shown a potential for compression failure of the upper struts due to excessive cable tension of the type that occurs when submerged equipment is snagged. A preliminary design for stronger upper struts has been made, and arrangements have been made to test the redesigned struts. We plan to fabricate a set of struts for testing. IMPROVED CONOFLOW SYSTEMS -- Three models of conoflow systems have been selected for the laboratory test; 1) Dry Bubbler system, Model HS-23, Hydrological Services PTY.LTD; 2) Water-log Series Model H355, Design Analysis Associates, Inc.; 3) SafePurge Hydrologic Purge Gas-Controls, Fluid Data Systems. After initial laboratory evaluation, the units have been moved to the standpipe system facility for testing. Preliminary test results indicated that the DAA 355 system could not hold a constant bubble rate due to the fluctuation of the reservoir tank pressure. DAA was aware of this and a new system is being built. Tests on the DAA 355 system have been temporarily suspended until the delivery of the new systems. The Safe purge systems also had trouble in holding a constant bubble rate during water level changing. More tests will be performed on these units. CONTINUOUS QW MONITOR ALTERNATIVE -- Evaluation of an ion selective electrode on the Hydrolab H20, ammonium probe; the YSI 6000, ammonium and nitrate probes; the Solomat, ammonium and nitrate probes and the Orion laboratory nitrate and ammonium sensors has been initiated. Initial test results indicate that the sensors are very unstable for the low concentration samples. More tests will be performed. SUBMERSIBLE PRESSURE SENSORS -- Standpipe testing of 5 units of the DAA H310, 2 units of the Sensotec LL-V/7304-01, 2 units of the T-Hydronics TH-LD and 2 units of the Rittmeyer MPSDIT.010 have been completed. A report has been published through Email and will be published in the WRD Instrument News. Field test of the Hydrologic LPN8/3CD has been completed and data analysis is in progress. Geogard submersible pressure sensors. These sensors have been tested in the standpipe system, data have been reviewed and preparation of the report is in progress. Campbell Scientific DB1 - Tests of these units in the standpipe system have been delayed due to the urgency test of Conoflow systems. ALTERNATIVES FOR MERCURY MANOMETER REPLACEMENT -- A number of projects are underway to provide replacements for the manometer. This is a general continuing report. ACCUBAR PRESSURE SENSORS -- A lab test report of Accubar-3 has been completed and it is in the review process. Field test data have been analyzed and a report preparation is in progress. Field test data indicate that some drift occurs with the unit. Accelerated aging tests for the Accubar-3 are underway to determine if the drift can be minimized by performing accelerated aging on the transducers. Plans are to continue accelerated aging tests until drift characteristic can be determined. DESIGN ANALYSIS ASSOCIATES (DAA)-- Field test of Four units of the DAA H350 is in progress. The initial field test data indicate good results. Five units of the DAA H350 LITE have been received. However, the lab test has been delayed due to the urgency test of the Sutron 8400 and malfunction of the pressure standard equipment. The test of the H350 LITE will resume in late March. SETRA 470 HPS -- Three units have been sent out for field testing. RITTMEYER PRESSURE SENSOR -- Lab tests will be scheduled for the second time after the test of the DAA H350 LITE. ELECTRONIC PROCESSING FOR DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS (EPDM) -- A functional requirements document for an instrument that supports electronic processing of discharge measurements is still in review. JBS Instruments is now updating the software to comply with the USGS requirements. The work will be completed in late-March. HIF is planning to purchase 2 units for testing. LEAD WEIGHT REPLACEMENT--WELL SOUNDING -- Information has been collected on various well-tape weight configurations as used by field personnel, as well as information on various materials which are used or have been proposed for use as well-tape weights. A draft technical information sheet was written and sent out for colleague review. At the direction of ICOM, this project was then turned over to the Office of Ground Water. REGULATOR/CHARGER ALTERNATIVE -- A market search for a commercial regulator- charger showed that no single unit met all of the USGS requirements. A circuit for the regulator-charger has been designed and parts are being purchased to build an engineering model. GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTER RESET -- A feasibility model of a surge-protected ground-fault interrupter (GFI) system is being tested by the Ohio district. Results so far indicate a reduction in the number of false tripping of the GFI. Three engineering models have been fabricated and will be sent to field sites for evaluation. Parts have been ordered to fabricate 6 additional units in a new enclosure. NOTICE: TEST SITES NEEDED. We are looking for test sites for the surge- protected ground-fault interrupter (GFI). We are looking for people who are using 110V ac powered equipment (such as pumps) with GFI's that are experiencing nuisance trip-offs due to powerline transients such as those caused by lightning. If you are interested in testing one of the units, contact Ed Parrozzo (PARROZZO) at (601)688-1540. EVALUATION OF REPLACEMENT FOR JACK AND HEINTZ (J&H) POWER UNIT -- Due to other priorities, no significant progress was made this month. A power unit, J&H model 445 from Rickly Hydrological Company has been selected for the possible replacement for HIF's present unit which is J&H model 950R. A comparison study of these motors has been planned on the efficiency and the power consumption with various loads. The field test has been scheduled in April. SUTRON 8400 DIGITAL DATA RECORDER - Lab tests of 4 units have been completed and the report has been released through Email and the WRD Instrument News. The HIF has already rented 100 units and has over 750 backorders from the field. The HIF has placed orders for more than 300 units with the manufacturer and has plans to place additional orders to meet the demand. LARC INTERFACE DEVICE (LID) -- One hundred ten (110) units have been delivered by the contractor and are being tested. We still estimate they will be available for use by April 1996. /s/ Frank S. Henry