LCI-LS300 Users Manual

SPECIALISTS IN LIQUID NITROGEN SYSTEMS

VBS

VBS Industries, Inc.

www.vbsflex.com

808 East McGlincey Ln. Campbell, Ca. 95008 Tel: (408) 371-3303 Fax: (408) 371-3320

Table of Contents
LCI-LS300 Product Specifications..........................................................................................................................................3 Un-packing the LCI-LS300 .....................................................................................................................................................4 Principles of LN2 Dosing ........................................................................................................................................................4 LCI-LS300 Components ..........................................................................................................................................................5 Set-Up Procedures...................................................................................................................................................................7 Shut Down Procedures ............................................................................................................................................................8

Page 2 of 8 LCI-LS300 User Manual -VBS Industries 3/2001

LCI-LS300 Product Specifications

Dimensions: Height of unit: 33 Height of stand: 75 Controller: 8 x 6 x 5 41 x 43 x 30 150 lbs 0.01 20 g/s; up to 400 doses per minute + 5% of dose value (when fill level is constant) 1 500 ms is 1 ms intervals (effective minimum 20ms) Stainless steel construction. Built to NEMA 4 /IP 65 food and beverage industry standards 24 volts

Crate Dimensions: Shipping Weight: Dosing Range: Dosing Accuracy: Dose Duration Range: Materials:

Control Voltage and External Heaters

Utility Requirements Electrical Supply: Liquid Nitrogen Source Gases:

85-264 vac; 1 amp 60 psi CDA or GN2

Page 3 of 8 LCI-LS300 User Manual -VBS Industries 3/2001

Un-packing the LCI-LS300

The LCI-LS300 unit should arrive factory-packed in a sturdy crate. If you are planning on moving the unit from one location to another or if you are renting the unit, please store the crate for future use. It is important that you inspect your crate before unpacking the LCI-LS300. All exterior parts of the crate should be free from dents and/or other damage. If you do note shipping damage, you should report it to the carrier immediately. While unpacking the crate, you should inspect all contents. All pieces should be free from dents and/or other damage. If any pieces are missing, contact VBS immediately at 408-371-3303. LCI-LS300 Unpacking Checklist: 1. LCI-LS300 reservoir/arm unit with controller 2. Power cord 3. Optical sensor 4. Aluminum support stand 5. LCI-LS300 User Manual 6. 3 Dosing Nozzles (0.04 installed, 0.05 and 0.06 with unit) 7. 1 Nozzle removal tool

Principles of LN2 Dosing

To ensure consistent dosing results, an accurate dose must be delivered to each container AND each container must be processed in the same manner. The LCI Series from VBS Industries guarantees that a precise, accurate dose of LN2 is delivered. The LCI Series meets the following fundamental dosing conditions. Pure Liquid at the Dosing Head Pure liquid (i.e. liquid with no gas pockets) must be instantaneously available at the dosing head. VBS has a unique internal design that ensures the continual availability of fresh, pure liquid at the dosing head. Constant Pressure Constant pressure at the dosing head is critical requirement for reproducible dose size. The LCI reservoir is designed to maintain a constant head pressure at the dosing head. Dose Duration The dose duration is tightly controlled by the units electronics. Dose duration is measured in milliseconds. The following production conditions must be controlled to ensure consistent dosing results: 1. 2. 3. 4. Fill levels must be consistent. Fill temperatures must be consistent. Capping techniques must be consistent. Product should not be spilled or splashed out of containers following dose
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LCI-LS300 Components
LCI Reservoir and Rigid Dosing Arm This is the large cylindrical component, which can hold a 1-gallon reservoir of liquid nitrogen. Distribution Panel The distribution panel is the electrical connection point between the LCI-LS300 unit and the controller. There are three cable connections made at the distribution panel for the LCI-LS300. Dosing Head Heater Connection A green light on the connector indicates that power is flowing to the dosing head heater. Sensor Connection A green light on the connector indicates that power is flowing to the sensor. A yellow light is illuminated each time the sensor is activated. Solenoid Valve Connection- A green light on the connector indicates that power is flowing to the solenoid. A yellow light is illuminated each time the solenoid is activated. Electro-Pneumatic Solenoid Valve The electro-pneumatic solenoid valve is mounted on the dosing arm, near the dosing head. The solenoid valve receives a signal from the optical sensor each time a container is detected. The solenoid valve then controls the flow of gaseous nitrogen/air to the actuator. The solenoid valve is fitted with a 1/4 O.D. push lock connection for gaseous nitrogen or clean, dry air. The gas source should be regulated to 60 psi. Actuator The actuator is a spring-loaded pneumatic cylinder that controls the opening and closing of the dosing valve. Nozzle A 0.040 nozzle has been installed in your LCI-LS300. This is a general purpose nozzle that will adequately dose most containers. Also included with the unit are a 0.050 nozzle and a 0.060 nozzle. Other size nozzles are available from VBS for specialized applications. LCI Dosing Head Heater It is important that the entire dosing head area be free from any condensation or ice build up. The selfregulating dosing head heater prevents any ice formation in the dosing head area. The maximum temperature of the dosing head heater is 150F. Optical Sensor The LCI uses an optical sensor to detect the presence of a container. When a container is detected, a signal is sent to the electro-pneumatic solenoid valve. Dosing Head Pressure Gauge The dosing head pressure gauge measures the head pressure of the liquid nitrogen in the reservoir and acts as a liquid level indicator. The pressure gauge should read approximately 0.8 psi when the reservoir is full. When the gauge drops to 0.5 psi, the unit should be refilled.
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Internal Gaseous Nitrogen Purge It is important to continually flush the dosing head with gaseous nitrogen. This purge prevents moisture in the air from coming into contact with the dosing head. The purge is a self-regulating device that is supplied by the internal LN2 reservoir. The internal LN2 reservoir must contain LN2 for the internal gaseous purge to operate.

Controller The controller houses the electronics of the LCI-LS300 in a moisture tight box. The controller has several important components: 1. I/O Switch - This switch needs to be pushed and the electric supply for the entire LCILS300 unit will be shut down. The I/O switch is located on the bottom of the controller. 2. Sensor Delay - The sensor delay is located on the front of the controller. One can easily access the sensor delay by opening the controller box. The setting is the delay between the time a container is detected and the time a dose is given. The closer the sensor is to the dosing head, the shorter the time delay. The sensor delay can be set from 0 seconds to 0.2 seconds. NOTE: If the sensor is far from the dosing head and the time delay is consequently large, be sure to do a trial run at line speed. The electro-pneumatic solenoid valve does not record signals from the sensor while it is dosing or in a delay mode from the previous signal. During the initial set up, one should verify that all containers are receiving a dose.

3. Dose Duration - The dose duration (effectively the dose amount) is measured in milliseconds. The maximum dose duration is 500 milliseconds. The operator can easily adjust the dose duration by turning the control knob on the side of control box. The actual dose duration is displayed on the front panel. 4. Electrical Cord - A yellow electrical cord is provided with the LCI-LS300 unit. One end of the electrical cord connects to the controller. The other end of the electrical cord plugs into a standard electrical outlet. The plug contains a replaceable fuse. 5. Enable Switch - The on/off switch must be turned to the on position in order for the solenoid and sensor to operate.

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6. Display Panel 1. LED dosing duration display ( 0 - 500 milliseconds) 2. Sensor delay control knob ( 0 -0.2 seconds) 3. 24 VDC indicator light (red) - is illuminated when there is power to heaters 4. 5 VDC indicator light (red) - is illuminated when the internal circuit board is receiving power 5. Enable indicator light (green) - is illuminated when there is power to the solenoid and sensor components. Enable light is controlled by on/off switch. 6. Sensor indicator light (green) - is illuminated when a container is detected 7. Delay indicator light (yellow) - is illuminated when the delay function is activated and the valve stem has moved to the open position. 8. Valve indicator light (yellow) - is illuminated when an electrical signal is sent to the solenoid valve

Set-Up Procedures
1. Assemble the aluminum stand supplied by VBS Industries. 2. Mount the LCI body on the stand so that the dosing head outlet is pointed towards the floor 3. Adjust the height of the LCI-LS300 body and then tighten the support clamp so that the unit is secure 4. Connect the yellow power cable to the bottom of the controller 5. Connect the power cable to a standard electrical outlet. 6. Enable the controller 7. Connect a supply of 60 psi GN2 or CDA to the pneumatic tube (1/4 black tube) located on the dosing arm 8. Position the sensor so that it detects containers 1-3 upstream of the dosing head 9. Fill the unit with liquid nitrogen. Monitor the pressure gauge on the unit. A reading of approximately 0.8 psi indicates that the unit is ready for operation. Normal operating pressures are 0.5 0.8 psi. CAUTION: Extreme care must be used when handling liquid nitrogen. Users should read and understand the MSDS for liquid nitrogen before using this system. 10. Place the lid on top of the LCI reservoir. Note that the lid fits loosely on the reservoir. This allows a pathway for gaseous nitrogen to vent out of the unit.

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Shut Down Procedures

1. The LCI-LS300 controller should remain enabled so that the dosing head heater continues to function. 2. Do not empty the liquid nitrogen from the LCI-LS300. The liquid nitrogen inside the reservoir is needed to continue the self=generated gaseous nitrogen purge. 3. Do allow the unit to reach ambient temperature. 4. Once the unit has completely warmed, remove the cover of the LCI-LS300 to allow any moisture inside the reservoir to evaporate (approximately 36 hours).

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