Reduce Errors During Flow Measurements

July 7, 2016Gas Flow Calibration BlogBy Kera Tucker

One of the easiest ways to reduce errors during flow measurements is to lower the connecting volume between the calibrator and the device under test. Mesa Laboratories piston provers were designed to minimize connecting volume effects, but reducing the connecting volume proportionately reduces measurement errors.
If lowering the connecting volume is not possible, adding a backpressure regulator may also lower effects from large connecting volumes. Flow measurements can also be corrected for connecting volume using pressure, volume and measured flow rates (see equation below).

F_cor = flow corrected for connecting volume
F = measured flow
P₂= gas pressure at end of gas flow measurement interval
P_a = standardizing or ambient gas pressure
P₁ = gas pressure at beginning of flow measurement interval
V_conn = estimated minimum connecting volume

For a more detailed application note regarding errors and connecting volumes, take a look at Mesa Lab’s “What You Should Know about Connecting Volume” document.

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About the author

Kera Tucker

Kera Tucker is Mesa’s BGI/DryCal/DialyGuard Product Manager. She spearheads product development and renovations for Mesa’s flow calibration, environmental monitoring and dialysate meter product lines.