Reference :
General Requirements
1. Noise < 60 dBA wherever required
2. LUX > 250-500 on working table
3. Power supply V ±2% and Freq ± 1Hz or better
4. Specification SP 31- 1986 in the form of wall chart giving the method of treatment in
case of electric shock, should be followed. The chart is recommended to be placed near
the power supply switchgear and at other prominent places as prescribed under Indian
Electricity Rules 1956.
5. Effective mains earthing may be provided in accordance with relevant specification IS:
3043. This shall be periodically checked to ensure proper contact with earth rod.
6. Facilities should be provided whenever necessary for recording temperature, pressure
and humidity values prevailing during calibration. The atmospheric conditions
maintained in the laboratory during calibration should be reported in the calibration
report/certificate. The laboratory may specify limits on the environmental conditions to
be achieved in the laboratory. The condition shall be appropriate to the level of accuracy
required for calibration undertaken by the laboratory.
7. The environmental conditions shall be monitored at appropriate intervals and
calibrations stopped when the environmental conditions fall outside of specified limits.
Temperature extremes of the working fluid must be avoided and difference between the
fluid temperature and the ambient air temperature should not exceed 10°C.
8. Environmental conditions of fluid flow liquid and control room to be maintained as per
the applicable standard(s).
Reference :
ISO 4185 Measurement of liquid flow in closed conduits - Weighing method
ISO 5168 Measurement of fluid flow - Procedures for the evaluation of uncertainties
ISO 8316 Measurement of liquid flow in closed conduits -Method by collection of the liquid in a
volumetric tank
ISO 9104 Measurement of fluid flow in closed conduits - Methods of evaluating the performance
of electromagnetic flow-meters for liquids
ISO 4185 Measurement of liquid flow in closed
conduits - Weighing method
This International Standard specifies a method of liquid flowrate measurement in closed conduits by
measuring the mass of liquid delivered into a weighing tank in a known time interval. It deals in
particular with the measuring apparatus, the procedure, the method for calculating the flow-rate and
the uncertainties associated with the measurement.
1.3 Definitions
Only terms which are used in a special sense or the meaning of which merits restatement are defined
below.
1.3.1 static weighing : The method in which the net mass of liquid collected is deduced from tare and
gross weighings made respectively before and after the liquid has been diverted for a measured time
interval into the weighing tank.
1.3.2 dynamic weighing : The method in which the net mass of liquid collected is deduced from
weighings made while fluid flow is being delivered into the weighing tank. (A diverter
is not required with this method.)
1.3.3 diverter : A device which diverts the flow either to the weighing tank or to its by-pass without
changing the flow-rate during the measurement interval.
1.3.4 flow stabilizer : A structure forming part of the measuring system, ensuring a stable flow-rate in the
conduit being supplied with liquid; for example, a constant level head tank, the level of liquid in which is
controlled by a weir of sufficient length.
1.3.5 buoyancy correction : The correction to be made to the readings of a weighing machine to take
account of the difference between the upward thrust exerted by the atmosphere, on the liquid being
weighed and on the reference weights used during the calibration of the weighing machine.
Chat GPT answers to calculate uncertainties in weighing, time,
diverter and density.
1. Step-by-Step Procedure to Establish a Traceable Weighing System (NABL-Compliant)
STEP 1: Identify and document the weighing system
1. List all components:
o Weigh tank
o Load cells (make, model, capacity, serial no.)
o Weight indicator / transmitter
o Mounting arrangement
2. Record:
o Maximum capacity (kg)
o Resolution (kg)
o Normal operating mass range (e.g. 300–1800 kg)
📌 Output: Weighing system identification record
STEP 2: Define calibration requirements
1. Decide calibration range:
o From minimum collected mass to maximum collected mass
2. Decide calibration points:
o Minimum 5 points recommended
Example: 400, 800, 1200, 1600, 2000 kg
3. Decide accuracy requirement:
o Based on required flow uncertainty (CMC)
📌 Output: Calibration requirement specification
STEP 3: Select NABL-accredited calibration laboratory
1. Verify:
o Lab is NABL accredited for mass / weighing systems
o Scope covers required mass range
2. Request:
o On-site calibration (preferred)
o Uncertainty budget
o k = 2 uncertainty
📌 Output: Calibration work order / PO
STEP 4: Prepare weighing system for calibration
1. Ensure:
o System is installed in normal operating condition
o Tank is empty and clean
o Load cells warmed up (as per manufacturer)
2. Record:
o Ambient temperature
o Humidity (if applicable)
3. Zero the weighing system
📌 Output: Pre-calibration checklist
STEP 5: Perform calibration (by NABL lab)
The calibration laboratory will:
5.1 Linearity test
Apply certified standard weights at defined points
Record indication vs applied load
5.2 Repeatability test
Apply same load at least 3 times
Record variations
5.3 Hysteresis test
Load increasing sequence
Load decreasing sequence
Record difference
5.4 Uncertainty evaluation
Combine all error sources
Report expanded uncertainty (k = 2)
📌 Output: Raw calibration data
STEP 6: Review calibration certificate
Check that the certificate includes:
✔ NABL logo & accreditation number
✔ Traceability to SI units (NPL)
✔ Environmental conditions
✔ Calibration points & results
✔ Expanded uncertainty (k = 2)
✔ Identification of system
❌ If anything is missing → request correction immediately
📌 Output: Approved calibration certificate
STEP 7: Establish routine in-house verification
1. Procure:
o NABL-calibrated standard weights (F1 / M1)
2. Define check frequency:
o Daily or weekly before calibration work
3. Perform check:
o Apply known weight
o Compare indication
o Record deviation
4. Define acceptance criteria:
o Typically ≤ 30% of calibration uncertainty
📌 Output: In-house verification log
STEP 8: Handle out-of-tolerance results
If check fails:
1. Stop flow calibration work
2. Investigate cause
3. Re-calibrate weighing system
4. Assess impact on previous results
📌 Output: Corrective action record
STEP 9: Link to uncertainty budget
1. Take uncertainty from calibration certificate
2. Include as Type B in uncertainty table
3. Apply correct sensitivity coefficient
📌 Output: Updated uncertainty budget
STEP 10: Maintain records for NABL audit
Maintain:
Calibration certificates
Verification logs
SOPs
Training records
Maintenance logs
Retention: minimum 4–5 years
2. Uncertainty Evaluation of Time (Gravimetric Method)
1️⃣ Identify how time is measured
First, clearly state what measures time:
Electronic timer / PLC timer / DAQ system
Start–stop triggered by diverter position
📌 This defines all uncertainty sources.
2️⃣ Identify uncertainty components of time
Time uncertainty normally has three components:
A. Timer calibration uncertainty (Type B)
From calibration certificate
Example:
Calibration uncertainty = ±0.01 s (k = 2)
Standard uncertainty:
0.01
ucal = =0.005 s
2
B. Timer resolution (Type B)
From instrument specification
Example:
Resolution = 0.01 s
Rectangular distribution
0.01
ures = =0.0029 s
√ 12
C. Diverter switching uncertainty (Type B)
From diverter error evaluation
Example:
Relative diverter error = 0.025%
Collection time = 60 s
u¿ =60 ×0.00025=0.015 s
3️⃣ Combine standard uncertainties of time
u(t )=√ u2cal +u2res +u2¿
Substitute values:
u(t )=√ ¿ ¿u(t )=0.016 s
4️⃣ Convert to relative time uncertainty
Collection time:
u(t) 0.016
t=60 s = =0.00027¿ 0.027 %
t 60
3. How density is established (calibrated) in gravimetric flow calibration
Core principle (remember this line)
Water density is determined from measured water temperature using internationally accepted reference
equations/tables, with traceability ensured through calibration of the temperature measuring
instrument.
STEP 1: Decide how density will be obtained
For electromagnetic flow calibration (water), standard practice is:
✅ Measure water temperature
✅ Calculate density from standard tables / equations
NOT by weighing a volume every time.
STEP 2: Measure water temperature (this is the key calibration)
Instruments used
Platinum Resistance Thermometer (PRT / PT100)
Digital temperature indicator
Thermowell in pipeline or tank
NABL requirement
The temperature measuring system MUST be calibrated by:
NABL-accredited lab
OR
NPL
Calibration certificate must state:
Calibration points
Uncertainty (k = 2)
Traceability to SI unit (kelvin)
📌 This is what gives traceability to density.
STEP 3: Measure temperature during calibration
1. Allow water to stabilize
2. Measure temperature:
o In pipeline or
o In weighing tank (preferred)
3. Record:
o Mean temperature during collection
Example:
Measured temperature = 25.0 °C
STEP 4: Obtain density from reference data
Use recognized standards, such as:
ISO 4185
IAPWS water density equations
Standard water density tables
Example:
At 25.0 °C:
3
ρ=997.05 kg/m
📌 Density tables themselves are Type B reference data.
STEP 5: Evaluate uncertainty of density
Density uncertainty comes from three main sources:
A. Temperature measurement uncertainty (dominant)
From thermometer calibration:
Example:
±0.1 °C (k = 2)
Standard uncertainty:
∘
u(T )=0.05 C
Sensitivity of density to temperature:
∂ρ 3 ∘
≈ 0.3 kg/m ¿ C
∂T
So:
u¿
B. Density table / equation uncertainty (Type B)
Typical value:
0.01–0.02 kg/m³
Standard uncertainty:
u¿
C. Temperature gradients / stability (if applicable)
Estimated from experience
Often small
Type B
STEP 6: Combine density uncertainties
u( ρ)=√ u T +uref
2 2
Example:
u( ρ)=√ 0.015 2+ 0.012=0.018 kg/m3
STEP 7: Convert to relative density uncertainty
u(ρ) 0.018
= =0.000018¿ 0.0018 %
ρ 997.05
4. What Diverter Error means here
In a flowmeter calibration rig, a diverter (also called a flow diverter or switching valve) is the device that
diverts the flow into or out of the weighing tank at the start and end of a calibration run.
Diverter error is the uncertainty caused by the imperfection of that switching process.
Why it creates error
Ideally:
Flow should enter the weighing tank exactly when the timer starts
Flow should leave the tank exactly when the timer stops
In reality:
The diverter takes a small but finite time to switch
During switching, some flow may partially enter or leave
This causes a mismatch between measured time and actual collected mass
That mismatch contributes to uncertainty in the calculated flow rate.
In simple terms
Diverter error = uncertainty due to imperfect flow switching at the start and stop of measurement
Why it is treated as Type B
In your table:
It’s Normal, Type B
That means it’s not obtained from repeated measurements
Instead, it’s estimated from:
o Manufacturer specs
o Past experience
o Design characteristics of the diverter
o Calibration history