Fluid Metrology Calibration Services - Water Flow

Water Flow Calibrations
18020C

ONLY A PORTION OF THIS SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BECAUSE THE FACILITIES ARE BEING UPGRADED.

NIST provides calibration services for water flow meters. The Water Flow Calibration Facility consists of a reservoir, pumps, meter runs, and weigh tanks. The system operates as a constant flow facility and uses timed collections of water to compute the average flow through the meter being calibrated. The planned relative expanded uncertainty for these facilities is 0.12%, or less. Flows up to 38,000 L/min (10,000 gal/min) will be provided in pipes up to 40.6 cm (16 in) in diameter. At present, a 3700 L collection tank and a 100 mm pipeline is ready for calibrations. This subsystem has an expanded uncertainty (k = 2 or approximately 95 % confidence level) of 0.033% for flow rates from 40 to 1500 L/min.

Pipe connections should be ASA 150 lb steel flanges, Victaulic^TM couplings, or adapters thereto. Meters can be tested if the flow range and piping connections are suitable, and if the system to be tested has precision appropriate for calibration with the NIST flow measurement uncertainty.

We deliver a calibration report which includes an uncertainty for the flow meter calibration factor. The uncertainty of these flow meter calibration coefficients will also depend on the reproducibility of the meter under test and the uncertainty for the flow meter calibration factor. The uncertainty of these flow meter calibration coefficients will also depend on the reproducibility of the meter under test and the uncertainty of any instrumentation associated with measuring the flow meter output.

A normal flow calibration includes five different flows, with five averages of the meter readings and the standard flow measurement made at each set point, with this entire test sequence repeated on a second day to assess reproducibility. It is helpful if the customer specifies the flow set points and the instrumentation requirements of the meter (pressure, temperature, full scales required, etc.).

Calibration fees for this and other services can be found in the Calibration Fee Schedule. To read more about our facilities, see the NIST Special Publication 250-73.

Turnaround time for a single flow meter is approximately 4 weeks:
1. Allow 2 weeks for shipping;
2. 1 week for set-up and review; and
3. 1 week for report writing and review.

To have your water flow meter calibrated:

1. Contact Iosif Shinder to schedule your calibration dates;
2. Details on ordering instructions, purchase orders, shipping, and Service ID Numbers, can be found at NIST's Calibration Services.