RE: CO meters (again)

[english@kingston.net]

Dear Tami, Bryan, Dean and all,

Tami wrote:
Last: Bryan mentioned the need for
calibration. Yes we need this, but as
cal kits often run into the several
hundreds of dollars, what shall we do? I
can't think of a better idea than having
a central calibration station where
sensors get returned every year. The
shipping would be much cheaper than the
certified cal gas and much less training
would be required. Ideas??
'snip'

Calibration is often done at only two points, 
ambient, where CO and CO2 are presumably zero, and at some other level 
depending on the range your interested in. I have been 
using a Bacharach Monoxor 2 for CO and Bacharach Fyrite system for CO2,
for several years. I have been able to get repeatable result
from a visually perfect flame of different sizes with a kerosine lamp.
CO 50ppm and CO2 4% +/- Have your lamp tested profesionally and then 
reference it frequently with your equiptment.
Although this may not satisfy scientific protocals, it certainly has 
offer me a small measure of confidence that the readings were relevant.
The same can be said for many propane, gas and oil burners.
Referencing and experimenting with refined fossil fuel combustion is also useful for 
understanding the variables of time, temp, and turbulance and their effects on 
emissions. In my opinion stove researchers can do a lot without expensive
calibration equiptment. If you still don't trust you equiptment, a once in a blue moon visit 
to you nearest university chemical engineering lab my be in order.

Alex 

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