Dew Point Measurement Error due to Tube Length in a Calibration Instrumentation and the Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of tube length in calibration instrumentation on dew point measurement of dew point sensors (DPS) and evaluation of measurement uncertainty. When measuring dew point temperature, various tube lengths between dew point generator and dew point sensor (DPS) cause a significant error due to moisture absorption of inner tube. The measurement is carried out to analyze the variation on measured dew point temperature for four cases of tube lengths with 300 mm, 1200 mm, 2500 mm and 5000 mm. The dew point temperature measurements were performed in the range from-60 °C to 10 °C by using calibrated standard chilled mirror hygrometer as reference standard. In order to investigate contribution to the standard uncertainty for the tube length variation as an uncertainty source, expanded uncertainties were evaluated for the cases including the effect of tube length variation as an uncertainty source and excluding it at each measurement point. The measurement was conducted according to standard calibration procedure of Korea Testing Laboratory which assures suitability and traceable results. It is also based on international standards.