| Advantages of permeation devices | Disadvantages of bottled standards |
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Summary
Calibration devices from VICI Metronics offer several advantages over cylinder-supplied gas calibration standards. Multi-component gas mixtures can be easily generated with NIST traceability using established EPA and ASTM protocols by using the appropriate combination of permeation devices. The technique also allows the removal of a single component from a gas mixture by simply removing the appropriate permeation device. A wide range of concentrations can easily be generated by simply varying either the dilution flow rate and/or the set point temperature.
By contrast, bottled trace level (ppb and ppm) standards can be very expensive, and calibrations requiring multiple components over a wide range of concentrations require a large number of gas cylinders, consuming valuable lab space as well. Problems can also arise from degradation of the standard within the cylinder, from changes in the concentration levels as the cylinder pressure changes, and from interaction of calibration components and surfaces.
