Development of mass measurement equipment using an electronic mass-comparator for gravimetric preparation of reference gas mixtures

Abstract

The gravimetric method is the most popular method for preparing reference gas mixtures with high accuracy. We have designed and manufactured novel mass measurement equipment for gravimetric preparation of reference gas mixtures. This equipment consists of an electronic mass-comparator with a maximum capacity of 15 kg and readability of 1 mg and an automatic cylinder exchanger. The structure of this equipment is simpler and the cost is much lower than a conventional mechanical knife-edge type large balance used for gravimetric preparation of primary gas mixtures in Japan. This cylinder exchanger can mount two cylinders alternatively on the weighing pan of the comparator. In this study, the performance of the equipment has been evaluated. At first, the linearity and repeatability of the mass measurement were evaluated using standard mass pieces. Then, binary gas mixtures of propane and nitrogen were prepared and compared with those prepared with the conventional knife-edge type balance. The comparison resulted in good consistency at the compatibility criterion described in ISO6143:2001.