GFS dynamic gravimetric mass flow system

The GFS dynamic gravimetric mass flow calibration system consists of an electronic mass balance, enclosure, and electronic instruments required to make accurate real-time measurements of depleted
gas mass in flow control systems, and the time duration over which it has run. In order to improve thermal stability and dampen vibrations, the balance is placed upon a large granite plate and surrounded by a draft enclosure. In this system the test gas is supplied by a pressurized cylinder which rests on the balance and whose mass is measured continuously to determine the quantity and rate of depleted mass during a test. The elapsed time over which this takes place is measured by a high-speed USB counter/timer connected to the system controller. Various non-corrosive gas species can be used with this system, simply by evacuating the reference cylinder and pressurizing with the media of choice.

A dedicated PC-based software program (GFSTools™) has been developed to act as the central control of the instrument and interface to the user. Discrete and averaged values of balance and device under test output are recorded and the results are calculated and displayed in terms of total mass and mass flow. Compensation of measurements for ambient pressure, temperature, and humidity, and balance drift are all performed by GFSTools. Automated test setup, data reporting and flow control are also handled by the program.