2500/2500ST Benchtop/Mobile Humidity Generator

The Model 2500 Benchtop Humidity Generator is a self contained system capable of producing atmospheres of known humidities using the fundamental, NIST proven, "two-pressure" principle. This system is capable of continuously supplying accurately known humidity values for instrument calibration, evaluation, and verification, as well as for environmental testing. Simply apply power and the 2500 will power-up ready to generate. Humidity setpoint values are input by the operator from the front panel keypad and are limited only by the range of the 2500 humidity generator. Relative humidities are calculated from the measurements of pressure and temperature with the formula:
 

%RH= f_s/ f_c · e_s/ e_c · P_c/ P_s · 100

To generate a known humidity, the computer controls the pressure ratio Pc /Ps utilizing the enhancement factor ratio fs/fc and the effective degree of saturation es/ec. Humidity produced is solely dependent on the measurement of pressures and temperatures and does not rely on any other device (such as a dew point hygrometer, psychrometer, or humidity sensor) for the measurement of water vapor content. Precision humidity generation is determined by the accuracy of the pressure measurements and on the accuracy and uniformity of temperature throughout the generating system.

Principle of Operation

The Model 2500 Benchtop Humidity Generator operates using an on board multifunction CPU in conjunction with other peripheral cards to perform calculation and control functions. The embedded computer control system allows the 2500 to generate known humidity levels unattended, freeing the operating technician from the task of system monitoring and adjustment. A computer and/or printer may be connected via the bi-directional RS-232C interface ports allowing remote setpoint control and continuous acquisition of system data. Humidity and temperature setpoint values are input by the operator from the front panel keypad while visual indications of system status are displayed in real time on the liquid crystal display.

Control / Display Screen

All control and measurement parameters critical to the operation of the humidity generator are displayed on this screen. Each parameter in the left most column is identified with a brief title and corresponding units. The generator operates in a variety of user selectable pressure, temperature, and flow units. Some of these are °C, °F, psi, "Hg, Tor, mbar, kPa, L/min, l/h, cfm and cfh. Humidity is calculated and displayed in percent relative humidity (%RH). The asterisk in the left most column indicates the active humidity control parameter. The "SetPnt" column lists control setpoints and the "Actual" column lists all of the measured data and calculated parameters of the generator.

Temperature Control

 The system utilizes a fluid jacketed test chamber for extremely stable temperature control. Temperature setpoint control is attained by controlling the temperature of the circulating fluid medium that jackets the test chamber and associated humidity generation components. Chamber and saturation temperatures are governed by this medium and are digitally controlled by the computer at any value between 0 °C and 70 °C using PID (proportional-integral-derivative) algorithms.

Pressure and Flow Control

Pressure control and mass flow control are accomplished through computer actuation of electromechanical valve assemblies. Pressure and flow are measured continuously and controlled using PID algorithms similar to those employed in temperature control.

Calibration

Coefficients for each transducer are calculated by the computer and stored in the system’s nonvolatile memory until the next calibration is performed.