Calibration Technique for Heat Flux Sensors Used in Fire Experiments and Standard Fire Tests
Abstract
A means for calibrating total heat flux gauges using a comparative (substitution) technique has been established. An apparatus consisting of a reference radiometer, a stable infrared radiant heater capable of producing flux levels up to 3.7 W/cm2, and a precision alignment mechanism has been constructed. The reference radiometer was characterized by the Radiometric Physics Division of The National Institute of Standards and Technology at flux levels in the range 0.8 mW/cm2 to 0.9 W/cm2. Its accuracy was found to be within 3 percent over this range which spans 3 orders of magnitude. As the radiometer is a highly linear thermocouple-based device having a self-calibration feature, this accuracy is expected to hold up to 4.2 W/cm2, the upper limit of this device. Although the overall accuracy of calibrations performed in the new apparatus must still be established, it is expected to be within 3 to 5 percent. Keywords: Calorimeter, Heat flux, Calibration, Radiometer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA225222
Entities
People
- K. Steckler
- K. Tu
- W. Twilley
Organizations
- National Institute of Standards and Technology