Beifen Sanpu ZM-105B Portable Intelligent Electronic Soap Film Flowmeter

Overview

The Beifen Sanpu ZM-105B Portable Intelligent Electronic Soap Film Flowmeter is a precision volumetric flow calibration instrument engineered for traceable, high-reproducibility measurement of gas flow rates in the range of 30 mL/min to 30 L/min. It operates on the fundamental principle of soap film displacement: a calibrated soap film is generated across the inner bore of a vertically oriented glass tube; its transit time between two optically detected reference points is measured with microsecond-level timing resolution. By combining this time interval with the known internal cross-sectional area of the tube—and applying real-time temperature and pressure corrections—the instrument calculates volumetric flow rate (mL/min or L/min) and, optionally, mass flow rate under standard conditions (e.g., STP or NTP). Designed explicitly to meet the metrological requirements of JJG 586–2006, the ZM-105B serves as a primary transfer standard for field and laboratory calibration of critical gas-handling instruments where gravimetric or thermal mass flow methods are impractical due to low flow, pulsation sensitivity, or gas composition variability.

Key Features

• Integrated microprocessor-controlled system with automatic data acquisition, calculation, and display of flow rate (volumetric and mass), elapsed time, temperature, pressure, and displaced volume.
• Dual optical sensor architecture with real-time photometric self-diagnostic capability—enables user adjustment of sensor sensitivity via internal potentiometer for optimal signal-to-noise ratio across varying ambient light conditions and film opacity.
• Onboard temperature and barometric pressure sensors with manual offset correction, supporting full compliance with JJG 586–2006’s environmental compensation requirements.
• High-resolution timing engine (internal resolution: 0.01 s; display resolution: 0.1 s) and volumetric resolution of 0.1 mL ensure repeatability better than 0.5% and accuracy within ±1% of reading.
• Compact monolithic design integrating soap film tube, optical sensors, control electronics, and rechargeable power system into a rugged, handheld enclosure (2.3 kg, 90 × 150 × 280 mm).
• Intelligent power management: backlight auto-dims after 1 minute of inactivity; unit powers down automatically after 5 minutes; battery status indicator with charging feedback; supports continuous operation via 9 V DC external supply with integrated smart charging circuitry (full charge in ~8 h, >500 charge cycles).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ZM-105B is validated for use with dry, non-corrosive, non-particulate gases—including air, nitrogen, oxygen, helium, and synthetic air—at ambient temperatures (0–40 °C) and relative humidity up to 85%. It is not intended for liquid-phase flow measurement, high-humidity or condensing streams, or aggressive chemical vapors that may degrade the soap solution or optical surfaces. The device conforms strictly to JJG 586–2006, which defines verification procedures, uncertainty budgets, and permissible error limits for soap film flowmeters used in Chinese metrology laboratories and regulatory inspection agencies. While not certified to ISO/IEC 17025 or ASTM D5402, its documented performance characteristics and traceable calibration methodology support integration into GLP-compliant workflows where end-user validation per SOP is performed.

Software & Data Management

The ZM-105B operates as a standalone, embedded-system instrument with no PC dependency. All measurement data—including timestamp, raw transit time, corrected volume, ambient T/P, and calculated flow—are displayed in real time and retained in non-volatile memory for immediate review. No proprietary software, drivers, or cloud connectivity are provided; however, data can be manually transcribed or captured via external digital logging. For laboratories requiring audit-ready records, users may implement supplemental documentation protocols aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (e.g., handwritten logbooks with operator signature, date, and instrument ID) or internal QA forms referencing ZM-105B serial number and calibration certificate traceability.

Applications

• Field and benchtop calibration of personal and stationary air samplers (e.g., OSHA ID-121, NIOSH 0500/0600 methods).
• Verification and adjustment of dust and aerosol sampling pumps used in occupational hygiene surveys.
• Flow validation of GC carrier and detector gases—particularly where laminar, low-flow conditions demand volumetric certainty over thermal-based readings.
• Secondary calibration of rotameters, critical orifices, and other mechanical flow devices prior to deployment in emission testing or process monitoring.
• Performance checks of portable flue gas analyzers and stack sampling systems per EPA Method 1–4 and ISO 10780.
• Teaching laboratories for fluid mechanics and metrology courses demonstrating first-principles flow measurement.

FAQ

What gas types can be measured with the ZM-105B?
Dry, non-reactive gases such as air, N₂, O₂, He, and CO₂ at ambient conditions. Avoid corrosive, condensable, or particulate-laden streams.
Does the ZM-105B provide NIST-traceable calibration?
The instrument itself is supplied with a factory calibration report referencing internal standards; users must perform periodic verification against a higher-tier reference standard to maintain traceability.
Can the ZM-105B measure liquid flow?
No—it is designed exclusively for gas-phase volumetric flow calibration using the soap film displacement method.
Is pressure and temperature compensation automatic or manual?
Both sensors are built-in and compensation is applied automatically; however, users may enter manual offsets if site-specific sensor drift is observed.
How often should the ZM-105B be recalibrated?
Annual recalibration is recommended; more frequent verification (e.g., before critical field campaigns) is advised per laboratory quality management systems.