No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system or
translated into any human or computer language, in any way, electronically, mechanically, by print,
photoprint, microfilm or any other way without the express written permission of
Bionics Instrument Europe B.V., Maxwellstraat 7, 1704 SG Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands.
We have done our best to ensure that the material found in this publication is both useful and accurate.
However, please be aware that errors may exist in this publication, and that neither the authors nor
Bionics Instrument Europe B.V. make any guarantees concerning the accuracy of the information found
here and neither the authors nor Bionics Instrument Europe B.V. accepts any responsibilities in the use
to which it may be put.
Information in this manual may be subject to change without prior notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of the vendor.
The calibration kits and calibration materials are intended for the calibration of gas detectors
and may not be used for other purposes.
We recommend you to take the following precautions when preparing calibration mixtures and
performing calibrations.
If you have any doubt with regard to the procedures, please contact one of the Bionics
Instrument offices1
1) For Bionics Instrument offices see Appendix 1
However nearly all gas concentrations used for the calibration are
safe, inhalation of these mixtures should be avoided. Ensure that
during calibration the gases are always vented to a safe location!
Wear protective gear – gloves and glasses.
Work in well-ventilated areas.
Never use larger amounts of chemicals that described in this manual.
Read this manual carefully before starting.
Be sure to file this manual for future reference.
There are two types of calibration kits from Bionics Instrument. Kit K-S intended for the
calibration of suction type detectors and kit K-D intended for both diffusion and suction type
detectors.
The Kit K-S (for suction type detectors) consists of the following components:
1. Kitagawa sampling pump
2. Double bellows
3. PTFE tube
4. Silicon tube
The Kit K-D (for diffusion and suction type detectors) consists of the following components:
1. Kitagawa sampling pump
2. Double bellows
3. PTFE tube
4. Silicon tube
5. Mini pump
6. Flow cap
All calibration kits should be used in combination with the gas specific calibration materials,
sets K-I till K-XI, which are described on the next page.
To select the right calibration materials for the
calibration of a gas sensor you should know the
TG-number (code of Bionics Instrument), which
is related to your gas sensor.
Bionics instrument uses a system of
categorizing its detectors towards TG-numbers.
The TG- number (Toxic gas number) is a ‘100’
number, which is assigned to a gas or group of
gases. For example Bionics Instrument has
assigned TG-2400 to ammonia and a gas
sensor (GS) for ammonia is for example the GS2460HT.
Look at general documentation of Bionics
Instrument to find the TG-number of your gas sensor(s).
The table bellow indicates the calibration materials (K-number) to use when calibrating a
specific sensor.
Note:
Gas sensors, which are related to the TG-numbers TG-1100, TG-1200, TG-1500, TG-2300
TG-3300 will require a prepared calibration mixture form a cylinder for calibration. Please refer
to the next paragraph for more information on calibration with mixtures from cylinders.
Although most calibrations can also be performed with calibration gas mixtures from cylinders
it is recommended to use mixtures prepared with the calibration materials described in this
manual. Although not all gas mixtures can be prepare with the Bionics Instrument kits.
1.4.1. Performance of calibration gas mixtures from a cylinder
Calibration gases in cylinders are in most cases a mixture of the target gas in N2. The gas
mixture contains often 0% humidity. This composition of the mixture makes it very stable and
allows it to be stored for a considerable period of time. A disadvantage of the composition is
that it does not represent the gas composition of a real leakage, where often oxygen and
humidity (from the air) will be present. Although nearly all gas detectors of Bionics Instrument
do not require oxygen or humidity for the detection the presence of humidity might cause
gases to decompose (react) to other gases. For example BF3 can react to form H3BO3
and HF. So in the detection of BF3 it will also be the H3BO3 and HF which have to be detected.
Besides the reactions of a gas in normal air also the folling effect has to be considered when
calibrating with a gasmixture form a cylinder. Because of the absence of humidity the
evaporation of the electrolyte through the membrane can be increased. Although this
evaporation is always very small exposure of the sensor to the calibration mixture form a
cylinder over a longer time periode (> 5 minutes) might decrease the thicknes of the
electrolyte layer between the measuring electrode and the membrane. This in turn might
cause a small deviation in the calibration setting (span) of the sensor.
The following gases can not be prepared with the calibration materials from the Bionics
Instruments calibration kits:
• H
• CO (for calibration of sensor related to TG-1200)
• CH
• O
Calibration mixtures for these gases can be obtained from all major specialty gas suppliers or
from Bionics Instrument.
When calibrating a sensor with a gas mixture form a cylinder it is
important not to expose the sensor for a long time period to the
mixture. We advise to minimize the duration of exposure and not to
(for calibration of sensor related to TG-1500)
2
(for calibration of sensor related to TG-2300 and TG-3300)
Before explaining the preparation of the different gas mixtures the operation of the mini pump
(for the calibration of diffusion type detectors only) and the use of the Kitagawa pump are
described. Also the connection of the Tedlar bag to your detector – suction and diffusion type is explained. The Tedlar bag is a special polymer bag which will contain your calibration
mixture.
Some gases inserted in the Tedlar bag may decompose (or react) over time giving you a
lower concentration of the calibration gas. For this reason calibrations should be performed
with 60 minutes after preparing the gas mixture.
2.2 Operation of the mini pump for the calibration of diffusion type detectors
The mini pump is compact portable unit, which provides the necessary flow for the calibration
of diffusion type detectors.
The pump is linked to a flow cap, which is mounted on the gas sensor to be calibrated. The
most common flowcap (for Bionics Instrument gas sensors) is shown on the next page.
The parts of the minipump:
1. Power switch
2. Suction nozzle
3. Air output nozzle
4. Cover of battery compartment
5. Silicon tube (8mm outer dia. 4 mm inner dia.)
6. Flow regulator
Specifications:
Batteries two batteries of type D
Flow rate 0.1 – 2 L/min
For details about the calibration procedure (e.g. settings of span and
zero) always refer to the manual of your gas detector.
2.3 Use of the flow cap for the calibration of diffusion type detectors
The flow cap can be used for the calibration of Bionics Instrument gas sensors GS-DS, GSDY, GS-DX, GS-DP, GS-EKP (GS-ELP) and GS-BY. When correctly connected the gas/air
mixture entering the flow cap should enter the inner chamber through the centre hole (2).
The parts of the flow cap:
1. Exit gas/air mixture
2. Entrance gas/air mixture
3. Silicon ‘O’ ring
4. Silicon tube (8mm outer dia. 4 mm inner dia.)
It is important that the gas/air mixture – which is exposed to the
membrane of the sensor - is coming from the centre hole in the flow cap.
The pump should always be placed after the flow cap (providing suction
through the flow cap) to avoid unwanted absorption of gases in the pump.
2.4 Applying a calibration mixture to a diffusion type detector
Make sure to set the zero point of your gas detector first – as stated in the manual of your detector –
before applying the calibration gas.
Connect the Tedlar bag, flowcap and pump according to the drawing below. Open the tap on the Tedlar
bag before activating the pump. This will avoid creating a vacuum under the membrane and by this
possibly influencing the performance of the calibration.
The silicon tube between the Tedlar bag and the flow cap should be short
(max. 3 cm) to avoid any absorption of the calibration gas. When required
extend the tube with a piece of Teflon (PTFE) tubing.
Although nearly all gas concentrations used for the calibration are safe,
inhalation of these mixtures should be avoided. Ensure that during
calibration the gases are always vented to a safe location!
3. Preparing a calibration gas mixtures – Tedlar bag
3. Preparing a calibration gas mixtures – Tedlar bag
3.1 Preparing gas mixtures with the calibration materials
This chapter describes the preparation of the following calibration gas mixtures:
PH3 in air kit K-I
CL2 in air kit K-II
HCN in air kit K-III
SO2 in air kit K-IV
H2S in air kit K-V
NH3 in air kit K-VI
HCL in air kit K-VII
HF in air kit K-VIII
NO2 in air kit K-XI
3. Preparing a calibration gas mixtures – Tedlar bag
3.2.1 Preparing a Phosphine (PH3) gas mixture with kit K-I
1. Connect the double bellow pump to the Tedlar bag and fill it
approximately half with clean air from the room.
2. Break both tips of the gas generation tube – NO. PC-21 – using
the tube breaker of the Kitagawa pump.
3. Open the belonging bottle (NO. PC-22) with gas generation
solution and immerse the short white reagent layer of the tube so
that the reagent is thoroughly moistened.
4. Remove the tube and wipe it with a paper towel.
5. Connect the gas generation tube between the Tedlar bag and the double bellow pump.
The connection with the bag can be made with a small piece of silicon tube (max.
length 3 cm). Have the arrow of the gas direction (on the tube) facing towards the bag.
When connected wait one minute.
6. Squeeze the double bellow pump several times to introduce air in the Tedlar bag.
Make sure the valve of the bag is open.
7. When approximately 1 litre has been introduced to the bag remove the double bellow
pump and close the valve of the Tedlar bag.
8. Disconnect the gas generation tube from the Tedlar bag and dispose it. Close the
valve of the Bag. (Note the generation tube will no longer produce gas after 2-3
minutes of use)
9. Connect the double bellow pump to the bag – open up the valve
- and fill the remainder with clean air from the room – close the
valve again.
10. Gently kneed the Tedlar bag to mix the air and gas.