MINIpack CTD-F

MINIpack is a low cost, compact, robust and fully integrated CTD-F sensor suite designed to meet the demands of open ocean, estuarine and fresh water environmental monitoring, incorporating a 24 channel data logger.

 

MINIpack is designed to be a multi-parameter sensor data logger that can be deployed individually or as the core of a larger multi-parameter system. As such, it may be used as a discrete profiling instrument, installed on a data buoy, moored in the ocean or to form the core of a towed undulating vehicle system. It has been designed specifically for easy installation into the Chelsea Technologies Group’s range of towed vehicles.

 

Applications and Features
Applications
  • High performance monitoring of oceans, rivers, lakes and estuaries
  • Intelligent host for multi-parameter systems
  • Designed for towed vehicles, moorings and profiling
  • Dye plume tracking
  • Flow through version available for AquaLine FerryBox and process applications

Features
  • On-board conductivity, temperature, depth and fluorescence
  • Compact and high performance
  • SmartMediaTM card memory gives high capacity
  • Internal batteries or externally powered
  • Real time data acquisition option
  • Output in engineering units
  • Fluorescence options of chlorophyll a, turbidity, rhodamine, amido rhodamine,
    fluorescein, Phycoerythrin or phycocyanin
  • Programmable power switching for external devices
 
Description

MINIpack is a low cost, compact, robust and fully integrated CTD-F sensor suite designed to meet the demands of open ocean, estuarine and fresh water environmental monitoring, incorporating a 24 channel data logger. MINIpack is designed to be a multi-parameter sensor data logger that can be deployed individually or as the core of a larger multi-parameter system. As such, it may be used as a discrete profiling instrument, installed on a data buoy, moored in the ocean or to form the core of a towed undulating vehicle system. It has been designed specifically for easy installation into the Chelsea Technologies Group’s range of towed vehicles.

This compact instrument contains a fluorimeter, conductivity, temperature and depth sensor. These sensors are coupled to a high performance data logger. For real time applications, the MINIpackis provided with a transmission system with the capability of providing power to and acquiring data from up to 16 external sensors (14 differential channels & 2 single ended channels). These may typically include dissolved oxygen, pH, PAR, up & downwelling sensors, fluorimeter &  transmissometers. A titanium / acetal housing contains all on-board sensors, processing boards, data transmission or internal batteries.

The highly versatile SmartMediaTM is used for pre-programming and storing of measured data. This data is easily extracted by a PC and presents data in ASCII files in engineering units, which are easily processed by propriety software packages. Data may be stored on the internal SmartMediaTM Card (for standalone mode) or transmitted in real-time up the cable using RS422 (RS232 option) format. An interface unit is available to convert RS422 (or RS232) for onward transmission to a PC. A user-friendly Windows based GUI enables error free programming of the internal logger and data extraction.


MINIpack Cage
Specially designed MINIpack Cage
A special cage has been designed to protect the MINIpack for deployment through the ice in Antarctic. An internal lithium battery and removable SmartMedia card means that the MINIpack has no external connectors – ideal for such a rugged environment.
 
Flow Through Manifold

Flow Through Manifold

The Flow Through Manifold is designed to convert the MINIpack from an in-situ CTD-F sensor suite to a flow through version for FerryBox and process control applications. The MINIpack Flow Through Manifold offers the following features:

  • Ease of fitment / removal
  • Standard flow through tube fittings
  • Pressure rated to 10 Bar
  • Non-corrosive materials
  • Rugged Assembly
  • Tail pipe connectors for ½” (12mm) bore tube
 
Specifications
Physical
Size: 114 mm dia. x 200 mm (sensors to end cap)
Weight: 3.25 kg (in air); 1.8kg (in water)
Depth rating: 600m
External input: 18 to 72VDC (via interface unit) / 10 to 15VDC (external battery)
Material: Titanium / Acetal


Data Transmission

Type: RS422 (RS232 option)
Data rate: 9600 baud
Scan rate: 1 Hz to 1 sample/day
Sample period: 1 sec to 1 day
Sampling interval: 1 sec to 1 day


Data Logger 
Capacity: 16Mbyte Storage Card (SmartMediaTM)
No of readings: 100,000 records of all 24 channels





Internal Sensors 
Type Range Accuracy Resolution
Conductivity Induction Cell 0-70 mmhos/cm 0.005 mmhos/cm 0.001 mmhos/cm
Temperature Pt resistance -2 to +35 ºC 0.003 ºC 0.0005 ºC
Pressure Strain gauge with temp compensation 0-600dbar 0.2dbar 0.01dbar
Fluorimeter Excitation Wavelength: Emission Wavelength: Concentration range: Resolution:
Chlorophyll a 470/30nm 685/30nm 0.03-100µg/l 0.01µg/l
Chlorophyll a 430/30nm 685/30nm 0.03-100µg/l 0.01µg/l
Rhodamine 470/30nm 590/45nm 0.03-100µg/l 0.01µg/l
Amido Rhodamine 425/30nm 550/30nm 0.04-200µg/l 0.025µg/l
Fluorescein 480/80nm 530/30nm 0.03-100µg/l 0.01µg/l
Turbidity 470/30nm 470/30nm 0.04-100FTU 0.01FTU
Phycoerythrin 530/30nm 580/30nm 0.03-100µg/l 0.01µg/l
Phycocyanin 590/35nm 645/35nm 0.03-100µg/l 0.01µg/l
In view of our continual improvement, the designs and specifications of our products may vary from those described.
 
Deck Units

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