all Doubt

s Why choose VSL?

VSL is the National Metrology Institute (NMI)

of the Netherlands. VSL is appointed as the

National standards institute. VSL is the start

of the traceability chain for physical stan-

dards from which other calibrations and

many other measurements are derived. The

traceability chain for liquid flow and volume

measurements starts with primary standards

like the meter and the kilogram and ends via

a series of carefully executed steps at the

liquid flow metering system. The standards

for liquid flow measurements are compared

with those of other National Metrology Insti-

tutes throughout the world in an ongoing

process. This guarantees the (inter-) na-

tional comparability of liquid flow and volume

measurements.

Calibration of Volume Instruments

for Industry and Laboratory

Calibration "beyond all doubt"

Defining the correct reference volume of a test measure, proving

tank, glass flask or other volume instruments is vital to make accu-

rate measurements. For industries the amount of liquid represents

always an economical value e.g. liquids like fuels, chemicals, milk,

beverages etc. For a laboratory it is important to distinguish the

smallest amount of volume for testing. Small deviations may cost

industries millions of Euros per year. For instance when a labora-

tory develops new fuel samples, but with pour reproducibility, it will

cost more time and efforts to get these new products on the mar-

ket. For both types of market segments VSL offers the basis for

good measurement. All volume calibrations of VSL are accepted

around the world by other NMI’s as on VSL certificates you can

find the CIPM MRA logo next to the logo of the ISO/IEC17025

accreditation.

Reliability and accuracy for industrial volume measurement

In the oil industry the quantities volume, mass and density are vital

for production, handling and sales of hydrocarbons. Departing from

crude oil which is processed to final products, the volume or mass

of the precious liquids is measured many times. No need to stress

that price increase of a barrel of crude oil and your liter at a gas

station seems an unavoidable trend. No need to emphasize the

importance of traceable test measures to calibrate a pipe prover as

reference standards to monitor the behaviour of flow meters used

for transport as well as the delivered volume at gas stations.

Reliability and accuracy for laboratory volume measurement Reproducibility is an important issue when developing new liquids.

When a new sample is accepted but it can’t be reproduced within

the permissible margins then time is wasted. Therefore measuring

equipment should be checked on a regular basis to see if it is still

working within the required limits.

Information

If you want to know more about

what VSL can offer in the field of

calibrations of liquid flow meters or

when you have other questions

please contact:

Mr. Erik Smits

vsl@vsl.nl

+31 (0)15 269 1500

VSL

Thijsseweg 11

2629 JA Delft

P.O. Box 654

2600 AR Delft

The Netherlands

www.vsl.nl

Calibration and Measurement Capabilities

Calibration certificates for liquid volumes issued by VSL show two

logos. The CIPM MRA logo guarantees that all NMIs around the

world that are signatories of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement

(CIPM MRA) have approved the Calibration & Measurement Ca-

pabilities (CMCs) of VSL and accept the calibration results of VSL.

The CMCs of VSL can be found in appendix C of the CIPM MRA

on the website of the BIPM (www.bipm.org). The task of the BIPM

is to ensure worldwide uniformity of measurements and their trace-

ability to the International System of Units (SI).

The RvA logo relates to the ISO/IEC17025 accreditation of VSL. All

calibration activities for liquid volumes are assessed by the Dutch

Council for Accreditation (RvA). The accreditation number for VSL

is K999 and the scope of work can be found on the website of the

RvA (www.rva.nl).

The CMCs of VSL for CIPM MRA and ISO/IEC 17025 are:

Base volume Calibration method CMC*

0.001 to 3000 L Gravimetrical

(Weighing)

0.01% to

0.20%

0.5 to 20000 L Volumetric 0.02% to

0.03%

1000 to 20000 L

Master Meter 0.03% to

0.04%

* Best achievable uncertainty under normal conditions

VSL calibration certificate

For each calibration VSL issues a calibration certificate that in-

cludes the calibration results and measurement uncertainties.

Type of volume instruments VSL calibrates are for example

Test measures for pipe prover calibrations, standard capacity

measures, proving tanks, vessels, volume flasks, Pipettes (manual

and automatic operation), titrators (manual and automatic opera-

tion), burettes (manual and automatic operation), pipe provers

(piston, sphere and SVP’s)[see special services flyer], and many

others.

VSL ensures calibration "beyond all doubt"