Dynacal^® permeation tubes from VICI Metronics

Permeation tubes are small, inert capsules containing a pure chemical compound in a two phase equilibrium between its gas phase and its liquid or solid phase. At a constant temperature, the device emits the compound through its permeable portion at a constant rate.

Permeation devices are typically inserted into a carrier flow to generate test atmospheres for calibrating gas analyzer systems, testing hazardous gas alarms, or conducting long-term studies of effects on materials or biological systems – in short, any situation requiring a stable concentration of a specific trace chemical.

A recent application is their use as explosives and narcotics dopants for TSA airport security (ammonia, DCM), law enforcement, border patrol, military, and other trace detection industry professionals.

If specified, Dynacal perm tubes can be certified NIST-traceable. We also offer an abbreviated version of our certification process, called rate verification. The permeation rate is gravimetrically confirmed, but the device is not NIST-traceable. Rate verification can be particularly useful with very unstable chemicals, for which the actual permeation rate of uncertified devices can vary dramatically from what is expected.

Contact VICI Metronics
For ordering, product support, or more information about these products, email VICI Metronics or call toll-free (877) 737-1887.

Partial list of available compounds
Request a quote

Types of devices

Tubular device
The tubular device is a sealed permeable cylinder containing the desired permeant gas. Release of the chemical occurs by permeation through the walls of the Teflon® tube for the entire length between the impermeable plugs. A wide range of rates can be achieved by varying the length and thickness of the tube, with typical rates ranging from 5 ng/min to 50,000 ng/min.

Extended life tubular device
Our unique extended life tubular (XLT) device is essentially a standard permeation tube coupled to an impermeable stainless steel reservoir. This design offers a range of permeation rates corresponding to the standard tubular device but has a significantly enhanced lifetime – by a factor of 3 for a 5 cm (active length) device or a factor of 12 for a 1 cm device.

Wafer device
Wafer devices have only a small permeable window, or wafer, so permeation rates are typically an order of magnitude lower than rates for tubular devices. Since permeation occurs only through the polymeric wafer, the permeation rate is controlled by varying the wafer material, the thickness of the wafer, and the diameter of the permeation opening. Gases whose high vapor pressure at normal permeation temperatures prevent their containment in a tubular device can be contained in a wafer device. Wafer devices are available in different styles to allow use in calibrators made by various manufacturers.

Tech Notes in pdf format

Left click to view. To download a file, right click and save to your computer.