Volume calibration using a comparison method with a transfer leak flow rate

This paper describes a volume comparison method carried out under a fine/rough vacuum using a small transfer flow rate from a capillary leak artefact. This method is suitable for volumes of vessels with complex shapes such as tubing arrangements equipped with various pneumatic parts (valves, gauges …), sample volumes, etc. The calibration, based on pressure rise measurements performed with a constant-volume flowmeter set-up, exhibits a standard relative uncertainty between 0.03 % and 2 % for volumes ranging from 1 to 3000 cm³, which is only about one order of magnitude higher than capabilities of the gravimetric volume calibration.