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Protimeter Speedy

March 2014

Moisture Test Procedure for Large Size Speedy (cont.)

9.

Release the pressure: Hold the Speedy vertically with the pressure gauge facing the ground. Locate the arrow on the

flange of the cap and point this away from yourself and other people in your vicinity. Unscrew the top screw slowly to

vent the gas that may have been generated within the Speedy.

10. Remove the sample and reagent: Tip the contents of the Speedy directly into a clean and dry open container and

dispose of in accordance with Section 13 of the Calcium Carbide Material Safety Data Sheet.

11. Clean the Speedy: Clean the Speedy vessel, cap and measuring beaker in preparation for the next moisture measurement.

Special Considerations

Use the instructions in this section to adapt your test procedures to special measuring conditions.

Applying the Proportional Test Technique

If the moisture content of the material exceeds the measurement range of the Speedy being used, then the Proportional Test

Technique may be used to obtain measurements. This involves halving the normal sample weight and doubling the gauge

value. For example:

1.

moisture content of 30%.

2.

The sample is prepared as required and half the normal weight (i.e. 10 g) is placed in the Speedy.

3.

The normal test procedure is followed and a gauge value of 14.7% is recorded.

4.

This value is then doubled to give the actual moisture content of 29.4%.

The Proportional Test Technique may also be used to obtain clearer readings in very dry material by doubling the sample size

and halving the gauge value.

Compensating for Non-Standard Temperature

For optimum performance the Speedy tester and sample should be at 20°C (68°F) when used. If this is not practical, take at

least three tests in quick succession to equilibrate temperatures as much as possible. Ignore the first and second test results and

record the later results.

Establishing Correction Factors

When compared with oven test results, Speedy readings may be low if the material under investigation contains volatile

components other than water, as these may evaporate with the water at elevated temperatures. Correction factors for given

materials can be established by plotting graphs of Speedy test results against oven test results.

Measuring Moisture Content in Liquids

Speedy testers may be used to measure the moisture content of certain liquids (most commonly oils) by adapting the test

procedure as follows:

1.

Weigh the liquid sample as in the standard procedure.

2.

Place the liquid in a clean mixing vessel and add two to four scoops of dry sand. Mix the contents thoroughly and place

the mixture in the Speedy vessel.

3.

Continue with the test as detailed in the standard Moisture Test Procedure.

Converting Wet Weight to Dry Weight

The pressure gauges used with the Series 2000 Speedy testers are calibrated to give the moisture content expressed as a

M

DW

100

M

WW



100

M

WW

–

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