{PDF} Gas analysis – Preparation of calibration gas mixtures using dynamic methods: Thermal mass-flow controllers ISO/TC 158 Analysis of gases (Technical Committee)

ISO 6145 is a series of documents dealing with various dynamic methods used for the preparation of calibration gas mixtures. This document specifies a method for continuous preparation of calibration gas mixtures, from nominally pure gases or gas mixtures by use of thermal mass-flow controllers. The method is applicable to preparation of mixtures of non-reacting species, i.e. those which do not react with any material of construction of the flow path in the thermal mass-flow controller or the ancillary equipment.

If this method is employed for preparation of calibration gas mixtures the optimum performance is as follows: the relative expanded measurement uncertainty U, obtained by multiplying the standard uncertainty by a coverage factor k = 2, is not greater than 2 %.

If pre-mixed gases are used instead of pure gases, mole fractions below 10?6 can be obtained. The measurement of mass flow is not absolute and the flow controller requires independent calibration.

The merits of the method are that a large quantity of the calibration gas mixture can be prepared on a continuous basis and that multi-component mixtures can be prepared as readily as binary mixtures if the appropriate number of thermal mass-flow controllers is utilized.

NOTE Gas blending systems, based upon thermal mass-flow controllers, and some including the facility of computerization and automatic control, are commercially available.