Deltacal High Flow Calibrator DC100 (10 - 60 LPM)

Precise Volumetric Flow Auditing for Medium-Flow Samplers & European Networks

The Mesa Labs DeltaCal® DC100 is the industry-standard transfer standard designed for the calibration and auditing of particulate air samplers operating in the 10 to 60 LPM range. While standard calibrators focus on low-flow US EPA designations, the DC100 is engineered specifically for higher-flow applications, including European CEN-standard PM monitoring and specialized speciation equipment.

Combining the robustness of Venturi-based technology with high-precision sensors, the DC100 delivers NIST-traceable measurements of volumetric flow, ambient temperature, and barometric pressure in a single, ruggedized unit. It eliminates the complexity of orifice plates and bubble meters, offering a direct, "power-on and measure" solution for field technicians and quality assurance managers.

Key Benefits

• Venturi Precision without Moving Parts: The system utilizes a static Venturi element to measure flow. Unlike piston or impeller-based systems, there are no moving parts to wear out or jam in dusty field conditions, ensuring long-term stability and minimal maintenance.

• Complete Environmental Audit: The DC100 does not just measure flow; it simultaneously records ambient temperature (-30°C to 55°C) and barometric pressure (400–800 mmHg). This allows for immediate verification of the sampler’s internal sensors without carrying secondary weather stations.

• Field-Ready Ergonomics: Built for the outdoors, the unit is weather-resistant and operates for up to 20 hours on standard AA batteries. Its single-switch operation displays all critical parameters continuously on the LCD screen, allowing technicians to focus on the adjustment rather than the menu.

• Traceability You Can Trust: Every DC100 is calibrated in Mesa Labs’ ISO 17025 accredited facility, providing NIST-traceable accuracy (≤ 1% of reading) that meets the stringent requirements of EU Air Quality Directives and US EPA audit protocols.

Technical Overview

The DeltaCal® DC100 employs a differential pressure measurement across a precision-machined Venturi throat. This method is fundamentally superior for field applications as it offers excellent repeatability and is unaffected by orientation or vibration.

Measurement Capabilities:

The unit provides a continuous readout of Volumetric Flow Rate, compensated in real-time for ambient conditions. This is critical for modern particulate samplers (like PM10/PM2.5 reference monitors) which operate on volumetric setpoints rather than standard temperature/pressure (STP) corrected flows.

Integration:

The measuring head is designed to directly replace the inlet of many standard samplers or attach via adapters to flow tubes. The control module connects via cable, allowing the operator to hold the display comfortably while the flow head is mounted atop a station mast.

Typical Use Cases

• European Reference Samplers: Calibration of PM10 and PM2.5 samplers operating at the CEN standard flow of 38.4 LPM (2.3 m³/h), common in EU member state monitoring networks.

• Speciation & Chemical Sampling: Auditing SASS (Speciation Air Sampling Systems) and carbon samplers that operate in the 10–20 LPM range, where standard low-flow calibrators max out.

• Dichotomous Samplers: Verification of 50 LPM total flow on older "Dicot" coarse/fine particle splitters.

• Medium-Volume Industrial Sampling: Flow checks on process monitors and saturation study samplers within the 10–60 LPM bandwidth.

Why Choose This Calibrator?

The DeltaCal® DC100 fills a critical gap in the air monitoring market. Most calibrators top out at 20 LPM (for US EPA PM2.5) or start at 1000 LPM (for Hi-Vols). The DC100 is the specialized solution for the "middle ground" of air sampling. By choosing the DC100, agencies and laboratories ensure they have a dedicated, accurate tool for their medium-flow instrumentation, avoiding the errors caused by pushing low-range calibrators beyond their linear limits.

Specifications

• Measured Components:

  Volumetric Air Flow, Ambient Temperature, Barometric Pressure.

• Applications:

  Calibration of European PM10 samplers (38.4 LPM), SASS Speciation samplers, Dichotomous samplers, Medium-volume air samplers.

• Certifications:

  NIST-traceable calibration (≤ 1% accuracy); ISO 17025 Laboratory Standard; CE Marked.

• Measurement Principle:

  Venturi-based differential pressure flow measurement with active temperature and pressure compensation.