Technical Papers
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Trust But Verify—Practical Approaches to Humidity Generation and Measurement
Author:
Construction of humidity generators is a common undertaking in many of today's
national metrology institutes and commercial calibration
laboratories. A generator based on theoretical methods and statistical uncertainty
expectations is often trusted as a laboratories primary humidity reference.
While it is important to follow sound design theory, and compute statistical
estimates of the output from a generator, verification is an equally powerful
tool that can help to make even the weakest of designs more trustworthy.
Generator designs will be reviewed in an effort to avoid common obstacles
while capitalizing on a few simple and practical improvements. Testing and
verification will also be considered with a focus on condensation hygrometry.
Measurement of Water Vapor in Sulphur Hexafluoride, SF6
Authors:
Sulphur hexafluoride, SF6, is a non-toxic, inert, insulating
and cooling gas of high dielectric strength and thermal stability.
Due to its high dielectric strength, it is particularly suited
for application in high power circuit breakers as well as in
high-voltage cables, transformers, and switchgears. The excellent
arc-quenching and insulating properties of SF6 allow the construction
of new circuit breakers and switching stations of higher voltage
in smaller size with less noise.
Determination of Relative Humidity in Subzero Temperatures
Author:
Relative Humidity of a gas is defined as the percentage ratio of the amount of water vapor present in the gas to the maximum amount of water vapor possible at that same temperature. At temperatures above freezing, water can exist in only one of two thermodynamically stable states—water vapor or a liquid.
At subzero temperatures, water can exist as either a gas or a solid, but contrary to intuition, water at subzero temperature can also exist in a third thermodynamic state, liquid. This subzero, liquid state is an achievable metastable state with an energy level between that of the gas and solid.
In the temperature range 0 to –40°C, this super-cooling phenomenon is quite prevalent, and Relative Humidity may be computed in either of two distinct methods, termed Standard and WMO.
Relative Humidity Uncertainty Analysis using Dew/Frost Point Measurements
Authors:
Relative Humidity can be determined by the ratio of Saturation
Vapor Pressure at the dew/frost point temperature to the
Saturation Vapor Pressure at the air temperature. In accordance with NIST
Guideline 1297, uncertainty is determined by analyzing the uncertainty
of the individual components, then combining those uncertainties to obtain
the total expanded uncertainty. As it applies here, we’ll analyze the uncertainties
associated with the dew/frost point measurement and the air temperature
measurement, then combine them to obtain the total expanded uncertainty
in RH. In this analysis, we assume manufacturers stated specifications of ±0.1°C
dew/frost point accuracy, and ±0.1°C air temperature measurement accuracy.
If these values differ from those given for a specific instrument, then
this document can be used as a guide in recomputing the uncertainty due
to the stated specifications.
ITS-90 Formulations for Vapor Pressure, Frostpoint Temperature, Dewpoint Temperature, and Enhancement Factors in the Range -100 to +100 C
Author:
With the change in the temperature scale of ITS-90, new temperature dependent equations were required which predict saturation vapor pressure over water and ice, enhancement factor over water and ice, frostpoint temperature, and dewpoint temperature.
Internationally recognized formulas based on the previous temperature scale, viewed as selfconsistent data sets for vapor pressures and enhancement factors, were chosen as initial defining equations. These formulas, coupled with those defining the temperature difference
between the two scales, were used to compute new data sets consistent with the temperature scale of ITS-90. These new data sets were then fitted to equations of the original form, yielding new ITS-90 compatible coefficients to the familiar vapor pressure and enhancement
factor equations. In addition, the resulting vapor pressure equations were used to produce a set of inverse approximating equations to yield frostpoint and dewpoint temperatures when the vapor pressure is known. The resulting coefficients, equations, and the conversion
methods that produced them are presented.
Relative Humidity Uncertainty Analysis of the Thunder Scientific Model 2500 Two-Pressure Humidity Generator
Author:
Described here is the Relative Humidity Uncertainty Analysis,
following NIST Guideline 1297, for a Model 2500 Humidity Generator
that utilizes the NIST developed and proven two-pressure
humidity generation principle. Generation of humidity in a
system of this type does not require direct measurements of the
water vapor content of the gas. Rather, the generated humidity is
derived from the measurements of saturation and chamber pressures,
and saturation and chamber temperatures.