Calibration of Jerome® Analyzers
Calibration of Jerome® Hydrogen Sulfide Analyzers
Accurate hydrogen sulfide analysis requires precise instrument calibration. The Jerome® 631-X
and 631-XE hydrogen sulfide analyzers manufactured by Arizona Instrument LLC are factory calibrated using methods traceable to NIST
(National Institute of Standards and Technology). The calibration system used at AZI's manufacturing facility in Tempe, Arizona consists
of the following components:
Calibration Room
All Jerome® calibrations are performed in a climate controlled environment.
Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Source
AZI uses the VICI-Metronics Dynacalibrator™ that contains a precisely controlled heat chamber and gas flow system. A small
permeation tube of hydrogen sulfide is heated in the chamber. A tightly controlled air volume passes through the chamber carrying the gas
to the test stations. The emission of hydrogen sulfide gas from the permeation tube is a known value determined through successive
measurements on an analytical balance. Internal meters that are calibrated to and verified against volume displacement bubble flow meters
control airflow. The Dynacalibrators are calibrated regularly under our ISO -9001 guidelines by VICI-Metronics with methods traceable to
the NIST.
Manifold System
The hydrogen sulfide vapor from the permeation tube exits the Dynacalibrator and passes into a 4-inch PVC manifold tube. This
manifold prevents any positive or negative pressure from affecting the calibration process. This manifold chamber also allows multiple
instruments to be calibrated at one time. Excess hydrogen sulfide is exhausted from the manifold through a charcoal trap.
Calibration Software
Calibration of the Jerome® hydrogen sulfide analyzers is controlled through proprietary calibration software
developed by Arizona Instrument. Each unit passes through a rigorous calibration protocol to assure the unit's accuracy, repeatability,
and stability. A central computer that controls multiple units along the system manifold controls each step in the process.
Calibration Frequency
The Jerome® gold film sensor is inherently stable and does not require frequent recalibration. AZI recommends an
annual factory calibration. The interval between calibrations depends on instrument usage and operating conditions.
Arizona Instruments recommends the use of the Jerome® FTM (Functional Test Module, part number Z2600-0918) to
verify instrument operation between annual calibrations. The FTM introduces a known concentration of hydrogen sulfide into the Jerome
analyzer. When the results of this test fall within the expected range, the instrument is operating correctly. If the results are outside
the expected range, the instrument should be considered out of calibration and returned to AZI. Continuous records of functional checks
between annual factory calibrations verify the instrument's operation and help satisfy regulatory requirements.
Flow Meters
The flow of each Jerome® instrument is set to a precise rate prior to and during calibration. Arizona Instrument
uses rotometers calibrated to a bubble flow meter, the primary standard for flow. Each flowmeter is calibrated on a regular basis with
standards traceable to NIST. Calibration records for each flow meter are maintained under ISO 9001 guidelines.
Digital Multimeters
Various electrical test points are measured with digital multimeters that are regularly certified and traceable to NIST.
Calibration records for each multimeter are maintained under ISO 9001 guidelines.
Calibration of Jerome® Mercury Vapor Analyzers
Accurate mercury vapor analysis requires precise instrument calibration. The Jerome® 431-X, 431-XE and 411 mercury vapor
analyzers manufactured by Arizona Instrument LLC are factory calibrated using methods traceable to NIST (National Institute of Standards
and Technology). The calibration system used at AZI's manufacturing facility in Tempe, Arizona consists of the following components:
Calibration Room
All Jerome® calibrations are performed in a climate controlled environment.
Mercury Vapor Source
AZI uses the VICI-Metronics Dynacalibrator™, which contains a precisely controlled heat chamber and gas flow system. A small
permeation tube of mercury is heated in the chamber. A tightly controlled air volume passes through the chamber carrying the vapor to the
test stations. The emission of mercury vapor from the permeation tube is a known value determined through successive measurements on an
analytical balance. Internal meters that are calibrated to and verified against volume displacement bubble flow meters control airflow.
The Dynacalibrators are calibrated regularly under our ISO -9001 guidelines by VICI-Metronics with methods traceable to the NIST.
Manifold System
The mercury vapor from the permeation tube exits the Dynacalibrator and passes into a 4-inch PVC manifold tube. This manifold
prevents any positive or negative pressure from affecting the calibration process. This manifold chamber also allows multiple instruments
to be calibrated at one time. Excess mercury vapor is exhausted from the manifold through a mercury trap.
Calibration Software
Calibration of the Jerome® mercury vapor analyzers is controlled through proprietary calibration software developed
by Arizona Instrument. Each unit passes through a rigorous calibration protocol to assure the unit's accuracy, repeatability, and
stability. A central computer that controls multiple units along the system manifold controls each step in the process.
Calibration Frequency
The Jerome® gold film sensor is inherently stable and does not require frequent recalibration. AZI recommends an
annual factory calibration. The interval between calibrations depends on instrument usage and operating conditions.
Arizona Instruments recommends the use of the Jerome® FTK (Functional Test Kit, part number Y431-0902) to verify
instrument operation between annual calibrations. The FTK introduces a known mass of mercury vapor into the Jerome® analyzer.
When the results of this test fall within the expected range, the instrument is operating correctly. If the results are outside the
expected range, the instrument should be considered out of calibration and returned to AZI. A continuous record of functional checks
between annual factory calibrations verifies the instrument's operation and helps satisfy regulatory requirements.
Flow Meters
The flow of each Jerome® instrument is set to a precise rate prior to and during calibration. Arizona Instrument
uses rotometers calibrated to a bubble flow meter, the primary standard for flow. Each flow meter is calibrated on a regular basis with
standards traceable to NIST. Calibration records for each flow meter are maintained under ISO 9001 guidelines.
Digital Multimeters
Various electrical test points are measured with digital multimeters that are regularly certified and traceable to NIST.
Calibration records for each multimeter are maintained under ISO 9001 guidelines.
Sole Source Letter
Arizona Instrument is the only authorized calibration source for the Jerome® Model 411 or Model 431-X and 431-XE mercury
vapor analyzers and the Jerome® Model 631-X and 631-XE hydrogen sulfide vapor analyzers. The calibration of the
Jerome® analyzers requires a system which is traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (N.I.S.T.).
Using equipment traceable to N.I.S.T. assures that the calibration is both valid and accurate.
A factory calibration for both Jerome® models is recommended annually. To verify the operation of a mercury vapor analyzer,
Arizona Instrument recommends the use of a Functional Test Kit (part number Y431-0902) on a regular basis. To verify the operation of a
hydrogen sulfide analyzer, we recommend the use of a Function Test Module (part number Z2600-0918). For any further information regarding
the Jerome® mercury vapor analyzers, our calibration system or the Functional Test Kit, call Arizona Instrument Customer
Service at (800) 528-7411 or (602) 470-1414, or, e-mail
Technical Support.