XiuiLab XUZM-101B / XUZM-106B Electronic Soap Film Flowmeter
| Brand | XiuiLab |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Model | XUZM-101B / XUZM-106B |
| Flow Range Options | 0.1–100 mL/min, 1–1000 mL/min, 2 mL/min–2 L/min, 5 mL/min–5 L/min, 6 mL/min–6 L/min, 30 mL/min–30 L/min, 5 L/min–50 L/min |
| Accuracy | ΔQ < ±1% of reading |
| Repeatability | < 0.5% RSD |
| Minimum Flow Resolution | 0.1 mL/min |
| Timing Resolution | 0.01 s (displayed as 0.1 s) |
| Power Supply | Rechargeable 4.8 V / 700 mAh battery or external 9 V DC adapter |
| Battery Cycle Life | >500 charges |
| Standby Time | >24 h |
Overview
The XiuiLab XUZM-101B and XUZM-106B Electronic Soap Film Flowmeters are precision volumetric flow measurement instruments engineered for low-to-medium gas flow rate calibration and verification in laboratory, environmental monitoring, and industrial hygiene applications. Operating on the well-established soap film displacement principle—where a thin soap film is formed across a calibrated glass tube and its transit time between two photodetector marks is measured—the instrument delivers direct, traceable volume-per-time quantification without reliance on pressure, temperature, or gas composition compensation. This primary standard method ensures high reproducibility and intrinsic accuracy, making it ideal for calibrating mass flow controllers (MFCs), air samplers, respirator fit-test systems, and portable gas analyzers where gravimetric or thermal-based methods may introduce drift or bias.
Key Features
- Seven interchangeable flow range configurations—from ultra-low 0.1 mL/min to high-capacity 50 L/min—enabling application-specific selection without compromising resolution or linearity.
- Dual power architecture: integrated 4.8 V / 700 mAh rechargeable battery (≥500 cycles, >24 h standby) and optional 9 V DC external input for continuous benchtop operation.
- High-resolution timing electronics with internal 10-ms clock granularity (displayed at 0.1 s), supporting precise dwell-time measurement critical for sub-second transit events.
- Optimized optical detection system with ambient-light rejection and automatic film-edge recognition, minimizing operator dependency and misreading errors.
- Robust borosilicate glass measurement tubes with laser-etched calibration marks and certified dimensional stability per JJG 586–2006 requirements.
- Compact handheld form factor (185 × 85 × 45 mm) with backlit LCD and intuitive single-button navigation—designed for field use and ISO/IEC 17025-compliant calibration workflows.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The XUZM series is compatible with common non-corrosive, non-condensing gases including air, nitrogen, oxygen, helium, and carbon dioxide at ambient temperature (15–30 °C) and atmospheric pressure (±10 kPa). It is not suitable for vapors, aerosols, or reactive/halogenated gases that may degrade the soap solution film or attack optical components. All models comply with the Chinese national metrological verification regulation JJG 586–2006, which specifies geometric tolerances, timing uncertainty budgets, calibration traceability paths, and verification procedures aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 clause 6.5. Calibration certificates include uncertainty statements (k = 2) referenced to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China) standards. While not inherently FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, audit-ready data logs (time-stamped flow values, operator ID, calibration date) can be exported via USB for integration into GLP/GMP documentation systems.
Software & Data Management
The instrument stores up to 500 measurement records internally—including flow value, transit time, date/time stamp, selected range, and operator code. Data export is supported via micro-USB interface using vendor-provided Windows-compatible software (XiuiLab FlowLog v2.1), which generates CSV and PDF reports with configurable headers, statistical summaries (mean, SD, CV%), and compliance annotations per JJG 586–2006 Table 3. The software supports multi-instrument fleet management, user-defined calibration intervals, and electronic signature fields for QA review. Raw timing data (ms-level timestamps) is preserved in binary log files for forensic reprocessing if required during technical audits.
Applications
- Primary calibration of low-flow air sampling pumps used in occupational exposure assessment (e.g., OSHA ID-121, NIOSH 0500).
- Verification of laminar flow elements and critical orifices in indoor air quality (IAQ) monitors and HVAC commissioning tools.
- Performance validation of personal dust samplers, bioaerosol impactors, and filter efficiency test rigs.
- Educational laboratories for teaching fundamental fluid mechanics concepts—volumetric flow, continuity equation, and measurement uncertainty propagation.
- Field service support for environmental instrumentation vendors requiring portable, NIST-traceable flow verification at client sites.
FAQ
What soap solution is recommended for optimal film stability?
Use commercially available non-ionic surfactant solutions (e.g., 0.1% Triton X-100 in deionized water) to minimize evaporation rate and surface tension hysteresis. Avoid glycerol additives unless validated for your specific tube geometry and flow range.
Can the instrument measure humidified or heated gas streams?
No. The XUZM series assumes ambient, dry gas conditions. Humidity alters film lifetime and transit dynamics; elevated temperatures accelerate evaporation and induce thermal expansion errors in tube dimensions.
Is factory recalibration required annually?
Per JJG 586–2006, verification frequency depends on usage intensity and criticality. For routine QC use, annual verification against a reference standard is recommended; for accredited labs, semi-annual verification with documented uncertainty analysis is advised.
Does the device support multi-point calibration curves?
No. As a primary volumetric standard, the XUZM operates on fixed geometric and temporal constants. It does not require or support curve-fitting algorithms—flow is calculated directly as V/t, where V is the certified tube volume between marks.
