Developing a Calibrator Certification Plan

Under the Interim EPA Traceability Protocol, there are four approved methods to quality check a mercury generator: field reference generator, permeation source, sorbent tube and mercury gas cylinder. While each method provides the same level of compliance, the permeation tube method is the way to extend the certification. The permeation tube generates a known and reliable concentration of mercury at a constant temperature and flow. This allows for automated audits confirming the reliability of the calibrator output. Because the process is automated and occurs monthly, recertification is required every two years, as seen by the Calibration and Recertification Timeline diagram.

Your calibration certification plan may include your own technicians removing and shipping the calibrator offsite for NIST certification. Our Calibrator Certification Service compares and validates the Model 81i Mercury Calibrator to a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable Vendor Prime or Field Reference Generator. 

The process is easy. To begin, simply contact Customer Service at 1 (508) 520-0430, option 1. 

Upon receipt of an RMA number, simply ship your instrument per the provided instructions. When the instrument arrives at The Thermo Fisher Scientific Factory Depot facility, we inspect and test your calibrator for proper operation prior to the comparison. The results of the "as found" conditions will be available for your records within your final report.

In the event that your Model 81i calibrator does not meet factory specifications, we will repair or replace items as necessary at standard component and labor rates. We will then perform a 3 x 3 x 1 matrix comparison of the User Calibrator to our Vendor Prime. 

Our comprehensive certification documentation will verify your set point concentrations, providing you with complete "as left" resultant data and the assurance that your Mercury CEMs concentration measurements are fully compliant with current NIST and EPA standards.

Automated monthly quality control checks are hands-off and reduce the time associated with manual, operator-intensive quality checks. Consider an instrument that offers a light maintenance schedule. With the Model 84i Permeation Source, only two consumables need to be replaced every six months, and only one part needs to be replaced every two years. In addition, the Model 84i Permeation Source Integrates easily into the Thermo Scientific™ Mercury Freedom System and one instrument can monitor up to two co-located systems, providing a cost-effective and simplified method of monthly quality checks. For more information on the benefits of using a permeation source for NIST traceability, visit www.thermoscientific.com/calibratorcertification. 

Mercury continuous emissions monitoring systems almost exclusively use mercury generators instead of gas cylinders which means the generator needs to supply a low, mid and high point for each range. Low points are between 20-30%, mid points 50-60% and high points are 80-100% of the calibration range. Use the table below to identify proper set points:

Long, sunny, clear days result in more production of O³ which means ozone monitoring and reporting season in full swing. Domestic and local requirements have become more rigorous, making equipment run-time a greater challenge than ever before. The monitoring and reporting standard is now 0.075 ppm for an 8-hour average but it will probably be lowered to 0.060 to 0.070 ppm in the near future. Stay up to date on monitoring standards by bookmarking this valuable resource: EPA.gov's Ambient Monitoring Technology Information Center .

Next Month's Topic: Summer monitoring: What's your challenge?