ASTM D3195/D3195M-10(2023)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D3195/D3195M − 10 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Practice for
Rotameter Calibration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3195/D3195M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E1137/E1137M Specification for Industrial Platinum Resis-
tance Thermometers
1.1 This practice covers the calibration of variable-area
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
flowmeters (rotameters) used to determine air sample volumes
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
at or close to ambient conditions of pressure and temperature,
in the analysis of atmospheres for pollutant content.
3. Terminology
1.2 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
3.1 Definitions:
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
Terminology D1356.
therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other.
3.1.2 Standard conditions are taken as 25 °C [77 °F] and
Combining values from the two systems may result in non-
101.3 kPa (760 mm Hg) at existing ambient humidity. This
conformance with the standard.
conforms to most of the ASTM methods for atmospheric
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sampling and analysis that involve volumetric corrections.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Absolute temperature scales are to be used when substituting
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
values into the formulae used in this procedure.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Summary of Practice
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1 Two alternative methods of performing the required
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
volume determinations for rotameter calibration are described:
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1.1 Using the water-sealed rotating drum meter (wet test
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
meter). See Section 7.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1.2 Using the volumetric gasometer (bell prover). See
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Section 8.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Significance and Use
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1071 Test Methods for Volumetric Measurement of Gas-
5.1 Choice of method depends primarily on which equip-
eous Fuel Samples
ment is available. Higher accuracy is possible with the gasom-
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
eter. The accuracies of the methods of atmospheric analysis, for
Atmospheres
which the calibration procedure is intended, do not warrant the
D3631 Test Methods for Measuring Surface Atmospheric
very highest possible accuracy in flow measurement.
Pressure
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
6. Apparatus
E337 Test Method for Measuring Humidity with a Psy-
6.1 Wet Test Meter, or Volumetric Gasometer, with water
chrometer (the Measurement of Wet- and Dry-Bulb Tem-
seal and equipped with a water manometer on the inlet.
peratures)
6.2 Counter Balance Weights, for gasometer.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality
6.3 Mercury Barometer—See Test Methods D3631.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.01 on Quality Control.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2023. Published September 2023. Originally 6.4 Psychrometer (if room air is used for calibration gas).
approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D3195/D3195M – 10
See Test Method E337.
(2015). DOI: 10.1520/D3195_D3195M-10R23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 6.5 Thermometer, to measure ambient temperature. See
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Specifications E1, E1137/E1137M, and E2251.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 6.6 Stopwatch.
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D3195/D3195M − 10 (2023)
6.7 Air Supply, either a cylinder of compressed air or a 8.3 Before and after the complete calibration run, record the
diaphragm type pump of adequate capacity and a ballast room temperature, barometric pressure, and relative humidity
volume or restrictor to eliminate pulsations.
(when room air is used for calibrating gas). Use average values
for subsequent calculations.
6.8 Needle Valve.
8.4 Start air flowing through the rotameter and into the
7. Procedure Using Wet Test Meter
gasometer. Adjust the flow to the desired value with the needle
7.1 Unless it was already calibrated within the previous valve.
three months, calibrate the wet test meter by Test Methods
8.5 Adjust eight counterbalance weights on the gasometer
D1071. The method described in Section 19 is recommended
as required to maintain no greater than 2 in. of water back-
for highest accuracy.
pressure when operating. (It is pertinent to leave the units in
7.2 Set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1, making
non-SI units as this calibration is in accordance with the
connections as short as possible and large enough inside
procedure of manufacturer specifications for testing, thus no
diameter to avoid any appreciable pressure drops.
equivalent SI units given.)
7.3 Before and after the complete calibration run, record
8.6 Take a pair of timed readings on the gasometer scale,
room temperature, barometric pressure in accordance with Test
under steady flow, for each of five or more uniformly spaced
Methods D3631, and relative humidity (when room air is used
points on the rotameter scale g
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