HYPROP Modular Lab Instrument

HYPROP is a modular lab instrument that generates a moisture characteristic curve and determines the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soil samples in standard 250 ml soil sampling rings. After setup, the system generates the moisture characteristic while running unattended.
Two precision mini-tensiometers measure water potential at different levels within the sample while the sample rests on a precision laboratory scale (2000 gram range; 0.01 gram resolution). As the sample dries, changes in water potential are correlated to changes in moisture content using the WindSchindler evaporation method.
Results are verified and values for dry range and saturation are calculated according to a selected model (i.e., van GenuchtenMualem, Bimodal van GenuchtenMualem, or Brooks and Corey.) Model parameters can be selected before, during, or after the measurement procedure