Assessment of uncertainty in calibration of a gas mass flowmeter

 A primary calibration system was set up in Rafael some years ago, based on volumetric flow rate. The primary standard measures volumetric flow by means of the volume change of a dual piston over a specific time interval. This system serves to calibrate secondary standards of the thermal mass flowmeter type. Calibration procedures were prepared and validated. The paper describes the tests and calibration procedure conducted for the uncertainty assessment, the different components contributing to the measurement uncertainties, and the formulas involved with volumetric flow fates and with thermal mass flowmeters. Received: 10 July 1999 / Accepted: 15 February 2000     

Thermogravimetric calibration of permeation tubes used for the preparation of gas standards for air pollution analysis

Sources of VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) reference-materials at ppm and ppb levels are needed for calibration of air monitoring instruments. The permeation-tube technique is considered effective for the preparation of low concentration standards of high accuracy and stability. In this work, purpose-built PTFE permeation tubes, containing benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene or m-xylene (BTEX) were accurately and rapidly calibrated. Using the sensitive thermo-balance of a thermogravimetric apparatus, very low permeation rates were determined by the continuous monitoring of the tube weight loss as a function of time. Permeation rates in the range from 25 to 350 ng min(-1) were determined with precision. Thermogravimetry appears to be a rapid method for the measurement of weight loss at constant temperature, allowing rapid characterization and recalibration of permeation tubes. A detailed study on toluene, chosen as a typical case, showed that there are variations of the permeation rate in the long term. The temperature dependence of the permeation coefficient was also explored and permeation rates were shown to display an Arrhenius behavior in the temperature range 304-324 K. Thermodynamic parameters influencing the permeation were discussed.     

Evaluation of error sources in a gravimetric technique for preparation of a reference gas mixture (carbon dioxide in synthetic air)

One method of preparing a primary reference gas mixture is the gravimetric blending method. Uncertainty of a few mg in mass measurements is unavoidable when preparing reference gas mixtures under current laboratory conditions with our facilities, equipment, and materials. There are many sources of errors when using this method. In this study, several sources of errors were re-evaluated for our process for preparation of carbon dioxide in synthetic air. As a consequence of the re-evaluation, it was found that some sources of errors had significant effects on gravimetric concentrations of the gas mixtures. These sources are: (1) different masses of the reference cylinder and sample cylinder (an error in the readings of the electronic mass comparator), (2) leakage of the inner gas from valves of the cylinders, and (3) cooling of the gas cylinder caused by filling with high-pressure liquefied carbon dioxide gas. When the mass measurements were performed under uncontrolled conditions, the errors due to sources (1), (2), and (3) were as high as 20 mg, 24 mg, and 13 mg, respectively. In this paper, the detailed results from re-evaluation of these sources of errors are discussed. Figure Evaluation of the source of error (1)     

Experimental study of gas mixtures in strong non-uniform electric fields

Argon-based gas mixtures of various concentration ratios at low pressures were studied in a gas proportional counter. Over-exponential increase of gas gain in mixtures with low partial pressure of any admixture was observed. The best energy resolution was measured at a gas gain of several hundreds for lower admixture concentrations, but at high gas gains R degraded very fast. The first Townsend ionization coefficient /P in low-pressure gases depended also on the gas pressure. The single-electron spectra had a peaked shape in mixtures with relatively high content of the molecular gas. In mixtures with lower molecular gas amount they changed the shape toward the over-exponential distribution. A partial pressure of 10 kPa was determined as a requirement for good quenching property of the mixture.     

Permeation devices for the preparation of standard gaseous mixtures

Summary Two new permeation devices for generation of standard gaseous mixtures in wide concentration range have been designer. Teflon membranes and tubing have been utilized as the permeation barriers. The devices enable generation of multi-component mixtures.     

New procedure of silica gel surface modification preparation of gaseous standard mixtures for calibration purposes

The new type of silica gel surface modification with using the trimethylamine as a reagent is described. The samples of chemically modified silica gel have been used for generation of gaseous standard mixtures (methyl chloride as a measurand) using the technique of thermal decomposition of the surface compound. The main aim of the research was to check the suitability of the new type of silica gel surface modification for obtaining methyl chloride as a measurand of gaseous standard mixture. The gaseous standard mixture obtained with using this technique was used for calibration of a thermal desorber-gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (TD-GC-FID) system. The homogeneity of coverage of silica gel surface with the immobilized compound has been evaluated. The full uncertainty budget of determination of liberated amount of methyl chloride has been calculated. The average amount of methyl chloride liberated from the unit sample of chemically modified silica gel is 3.59 +/- 0.13 mg g(-1). The influence of the modification way on the amount of liberated analyte has also been determined.     

Sorption thermosiphon apparatus (STA): A novel and accurate system for gas mixtures sorption measurements

One of the main challenges in membrane gas separation is the plasticizing effect that reduces selectivity. For a better understanding of this phenomenon, the knowledge of the sorption behavior of each component of the mixture is necessary. For this purpose, the sorption thermosyphon apparatus (STA), was successfully designed and tested with gas sorption measurements. One of the main advantages of the STA compared to actual other methods is to ensure concentration uniformity at the headspace using a thermosiphon, as pressure decay is recorded. The equilibrium condition is not disturbed during the sampling and allow the obtention of accurate data at the end of the sorption experiment. To validate the novel system, the sorption, diffusion and permeation coefficients of pure CO2 and CH₄, as well as for a CO₂/CH₄ (50/50) mixture, in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were obtained through STA and other experimental techniques showing good agreement with literature data.     

Analysis of anesthetic gas mixtures of halothane,nitrous oxide and oxygen by gas chromatography

Summary A simple dual-column system with a thermal conductivity detector is described, that can be used for the quantitative analysis of anesthetic gas mixtures of halothane (2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane), nitrous oxide and oxygen. The separation was performed on a Carbopack (SP 1000) column and a Porapak Q column arranged in series across the detector.     

The development of gas standards and calibration techniques for measurements of vehicle, aircraft and industrial emissions, natural gas, occupational exposure and air quality

 The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is involved in the dissemination of nationally traceable standards to which measurements of air quality, occupational exposure and air pollution source emissions, and natural gas analyses, can be referenced. This has required the development of national primary gas standards using absolute gravimetric and other techniques, and the development of dynamic calibration techniques for gaseous species which would be unstable in high-pressure cylinders. The methodology used for preparing gas standards gravimetrically is described, together with the rigorous quality assurance measurements and consistency checks which are used to demonstrate their accuracy and stability. The uncertainty budget assigned to these standards will also be summarised. NPL primary standards are used to certify traceable 'secondary' gas standards which are disseminated so as to ensure the accuracy of gas analysis measurements. Examples of the applications of these secondary standards are presented. The gas standards are employed in proficiency testing of industrial stack-testing organisations, and results of the initial rounds are presented. NPL gas standards are also now being used as the basis of the United Kingdom Environment Agency's new type-approval and certification scheme for continuous industrial stack-emission analysers. A recent important international initiative, in the field of gas analyses, is the agreement by national standards laboratories across the world to demonstrate the equivalence of their calibrations, by means of key comparisons between them. These worldwide key comparisons are complemented in Europe through the EUROMET initiative which seeks to establish the equivalence and comparability of calibration standards held at national standards laboratories across Europe. Examples of these intercomparisons are presented. Received: 23 March 2000 / Accepted: 18 August 2000     

Preparation of calibration gas mixtures of water and nitrogen by using diffusion tubes

A new type apparatus of computer control dynamic volumetric method was designed in corresponded with ISO 6145-8. It will be useful to solve the problem of pressure variety above the diffusion tube and its effects to the diffusion rate. The calibration gas mixtures of water in nitrogen in the ranges of 10⁻⁷∼10⁻⁶ mol/mol were prepared by this method with the relative uncertainty smaller than 5%.Presented at International Symposium on Metrology in Chemistry, 2004 Beijing, China.     

A way of establishing quality of measurements in gas analysis—national and international aspects

Standardising quality of measurements at both the national and international level results in a unity in measurement that may be regarded a synonym of traceability. In gas analysis, the key issue in achieving this aim is production of gaseous reference materials. Establishing a network of secondary measurement standards at gaseous CRM producers’ sites in Ukraine might be interesting for those involved in gas analysis activities. Inevitably, problems concerning the recognition of measuring capabilities of both national metrological institutes and local CRM producers are now an international issue. Thus, the problems of national adoption of international standards, as well as harmonisation between different international documents are currently relevant, and Ukrainian experience may be useful to others in this field. Presented at the 3rd International Conference on Metrology, November 2006, Tel Aviv, Israel.     

Simulation of concentration changes in complex volatile mixtures during evaporation by using gas chromatography

Summary A method is proposed for the simulation of weathering and aging of mixtures of organic components of similar polarity, e.g. gasolines. Semi-empirical equations are derived and tested which correlate the composition of samples after evaporation with the composition of the original material. In this way, changes in composition during partial evaporation of the liquid mixture can be predicted. In the context of forensic investigations this procedure can be helpful for tracing back the composition of the liquid remaining to that of the original unweathered liquid. To perform this simulation, the relative volatilities of the individual components in the mixture have to be known. These are determined by gas chromatographic retention data simultaneously with the concentrations of the volatile components. The paper evaluates the semi-empirical equations employed and discusses the influence of the simplifying assumptions introduced on the accuracy of the simulation.     

External calibration in gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry measurements of endogenous androgenic anabolic steroids in sports doping control

An alternative calibration procedure for the Gas Chromatography–Combustion–Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC–C–IRMS) measurements of the World Antidoping Agency (WADA) Accredited Laboratories is presented. To alleviate the need for externally calibrated CO₂ gas for GC–C–IRMS analysis of urinary steroid metabolites, calibration using an external standard mixture solution of steroids with certified isotopic composition was investigated. The reference steroids of the calibration mixture and routine samples underwent identical instrumental processes. The calibration standards bracketed the entire range of the relevant δ¹³C values for the endogenous and exogenous steroids as well as their chromatographic retention times. The certified δ¹³C values of the reference calibrators were plotted in relation to measured m/z¹³CO₂/¹²CO₂ (i.e. R(45/44)) mass spectrometric signals of each calibrator. δ¹³C values of the sample steroids were calculated from the least squares fit through the calibration curve. The effect of the external calibration on δ¹³C values, using the same calibration standards and set of urine samples but different brands of GC–C–IRMS instruments, was assessed by an interlaboratory study in the WADA Accredited Laboratories of Sydney, Australia and Athens, Greece. Relative correspondence between the laboratories for determination of androsterone, etiocholanolone, 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diacetate, and pregnanediacetate means were SD(δ¹³C) = 0.12‰, 0.58‰, −0.34‰, and −0.40‰, respectively. These data demonstrate that accurate intralaboratory external calibration with certified steroids provided by United States Antidoping Agency (USADA) and without external CO₂ calibration is feasible and directly applicable to the WADA Accredited Laboratories for the harmonization of the GC–C–IRMS measurements.     

Thermal decomposition of silica based surface compounds as a source of volatile standards. A new approach to the generation of gaseous calibration mixtures

A new approach to the preparation of standard gaseous mixtures based on thermal decomposition of surface compounds, has been reviewed. The method is used to prepare standard mixtures containing volatile analytes such as thiols, isothiocyanates, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, amines, ethylene and methyl chloride. The method enables the preparation of the standard immediately before a calibration step. It is specially useful for the generation of standard mixtures containing volatile, malodorous, unstable and toxic compounds. Presented at Balaton Symposium on High Performance Separation Methods, Siófok, Hungary, September 1–3, 1999     

PVTx measurements in the gas phase for binary mixtures of HFC-161 and HFC-227ea

The gaseous PVTx properties of ethyl fluoride (HFC-161) + 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (HFC-227ea) mixtures were measured at temperatures from 318.180 to 403.205 K and corresponding pressures from 961.3 to 3129.8 kPa using the isochoric method. The uncertainties in the present measurements were estimated to be ±1.5 kPa for pressure and ±6 mK for temperature. On the basis of the experimental PVTx property data, a truncated virial equation of state was developed for the binary HFC-161/227ea system. This equation reproduced the experimental data in the gas phase within ±0.164% in pressure and within ±0.178% in density.     

Sampling device for a simple,fast calibration technique in gas chromatographic trace analysis of gas phases and vapor phases

In order to accommodate continually changing tasks in the [μl/l]–[nl/m³] ranges of gas chromatographic trace analysis of gas phases and vapor phases, a simple and time-saving calibration technique is presented which renders unnecessary conventional test mixtures of the abovementioned concentration ranges. This new method is based on the simulation of such mixtures at the inlet of the GC unit with the aid of commercially available multiway sampling valves of various volumes by means of partial pressure sampling.     

Uncertainty calculation and implementation of the static volumetric method for the preparation of NO and SO2 standard gas mixtures

 The European Reference Laboratory of Air Pollution implements the static volumetric method for the preparation of nitrogen monoxide and sulphur dioxide reference standard gas mixtures. According to the new ISO guide for the expression of uncertainty, the uncertainty of these standards is up to 0.8% for nitrogen monoxide in the range 100 to 600 ppbv, and up to 0.4% for sulphur dioxide in the range 200 to 400 ppbv. The values presented in the present paper suggest that there is a 95% probability of the true value lying within the interval specified. To attain such low uncertainty values, the standard procedure for the implementation of the static volumetric method must be rigorously followed, and instruments must be carefully maintained. Received: 26 June 1997 · Accepted: 23 August 1997     

Separation and purification of intermediates for the preparation of naproxen from synthetic mixtures by countercurrent chromatography

Three key intermediates in the preparation of the nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug naproxen were successfully separated and purified with high purity from synthetic mixtures by countercurrent chromatography with a selected biphasic solvent system. The biphasic solvent system composed of n‐hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (9:1:9:1, v/v/v/v) was selected according to partition performance of the three components using thin‐layer chromatography. Fifty milligrams of the synthetic mixture after the three‐step reaction was injected into a preparative countercurrent chromatography separation column and yielded 3.5, 14.0, and 8.0 mg of three key intermediates with 95.0, 99.0, and 98.0% purity, and the recovery of each component was 65.2, 71.2, and 69.6%, respectively. The results indicated that countercurrent chromatography is an efficient alternative and economical method for the separation and purification of intermediate components from synthetic mixtures.     

Theoretical background of multicomponent gas chromatography for high concentrations

Summary The paper presents a classification of various theoretical models for multicomponent gas chromatography at u=var for high concentrations of the mixture components with consideration of the major distinctive features of the interphase mass exchange inside the porous grains of the adsorbent and outside them within the porous medium of the chromatographic column. It has been shown that the conditions determining a given front behaviour of multicomponent gas mixture at u=var depend on: theoretical models for the kinetics and dynamics of adsorption; the values of mass exchange parameters inside the porous grains and in the porous medium. Formulae have been derived for calculating the values of the quantities characterising the frontal behaviour in the stage of adsorption and desorption of multicomponent mixture at u=var.     

A routine gas chromatographic method for the analysis of chlorofluorocarbons in aerosol cans

Summary A gas chromatographic (GC) method for the routine analysis of fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in aerosol cans is described. The identification of CFCs by GC was found to be in full agreement with those by GC-mass-spectrometery. The method has been applied to the analysis of CFCs in 448 aerosol products. The most commonly used fully halogenated CFC propellants in aerosol cans were found to be CFC11, CFC12 and CFC114.