Gilibrator 3 Primary Air Flow Calibrator

Overview

The Gilibrator 3 Primary Air Flow Calibrator is a portable, NIST-traceable dry calibration system engineered for high-reproducibility volumetric flow verification of air-sampling pumps used in occupational hygiene, environmental monitoring, and industrial hygiene applications. It operates on the principle of critical orifice flow under laminar and transitional regimes, with real-time compensation for ambient temperature and pressure—ensuring traceable accuracy without reliance on wet-test standards or gravimetric methods. Unlike secondary calibrators, the Gilibrator 3 meets the metrological requirements for primary-level calibration per ISO 13137 (Workplace air – Requirements for performance testing of personal sampling pumps) and serves as a reference standard for field validation of pump performance prior to and after sampling campaigns. Its design eliminates pulsation-induced measurement artifacts through patented pulse-free valve technology, maintaining stable differential pressure across the test device and preserving calibration integrity during dynamic flow conditions.

Key Features

• StablFlow™ constant low-backpressure delivery ensures minimal impact on connected sampling pumps—critical for accurate assessment of pump response under realistic loading conditions.
• Three interchangeable flow modules (Low: 5–450 cm³/min; Standard: 50–5000 cm³/min; High: 1–30 L/min) share a common base platform, enabling rapid module swaps without recalibration or tooling.
• Auto-adaptive color touchscreen display with ambient light sensing delivers consistent legibility across lighting environments—including direct sunlight—supporting outdoor field use.
• Onboard statistical averaging engine allows users to define sample set size (3–20 readings), maximum allowable standard deviation, and inter-sample percent deviation—enabling GLP-compliant pass/fail evaluation per internal SOPs.
• Integrated LiFePO₄ battery provides up to 8 hours of operation at minimum display brightness and supports hot-swappable operation during extended field deployments.
• Full data logging capability includes timestamped flow, temperature, pressure, and battery status—stored internally and exportable via SD card in CSV format for traceability and audit readiness.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Gilibrator 3 is validated exclusively for clean, dry, non-corrosive air—making it suitable for calibrating diaphragm, piston, and rotary vane pumps used with sorbent tubes, filters, and impingers in accordance with OSHA ID-142, NIOSH Method 0500, and ISO 13137 Annex B. It does not support humidified, particulate-laden, or chemically reactive gas streams. While not certified to a specific international accreditation body (e.g., UKAS, DAkkS), its ±1% volume accuracy—verified against primary standards—is documented in the manufacturer’s calibration certificate (traceable to NIST SRM 1971). The device supports configurable engineering units (e.g., mL/min, L/min, CFM), date/time stamping, and multi-language UI (English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese), facilitating multinational deployment in regulated environments.

Software & Data Management

Data retrieval and post-processing are enabled via Gilian CONNECT PC software (v2.1+, Q4 2018 release), which supports secure USB/RS-232 communication, automated report generation, and statistical analysis including mean flow, CV%, trend plots, and compliance flagging against user-defined tolerance bands. All logged data include embedded metadata (operator ID, location tag, calibration due date) and support FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compatible audit trails when deployed with validated software configurations. CSV exports are fully compatible with Excel, LIMS, and ELN platforms—allowing integration into enterprise-wide quality management systems. SD card storage supports both bitmap screenshots for troubleshooting and tabular CSV datasets for regulatory submission.

Applications

• Pre- and post-sampling calibration of personal air sampling pumps in OEL monitoring programs.
• Field verification of fixed-location air monitors and continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) requiring periodic flow audit.
• Validation of flow controllers in laboratory fume hoods and biosafety cabinets per ANSI/AIHA Z9.5 and EN 14175.
• Supporting ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories in establishing measurement uncertainty budgets for flow-related parameters.
• Training and competency assessment for industrial hygienists performing pump performance checks per AIHA RP-1 guidelines.

FAQ

Is the Gilibrator 3 suitable for calibrating pumps handling gases other than air?
No. It is validated only for clean, dry, non-corrosive air. Use with other gases requires independent validation and may void accuracy specifications.
Does the device meet ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for accredited calibration labs?
The instrument itself is not accredited, but its ±1% accuracy and NIST-traceable calibration certificate support its use as a reference standard within an accredited lab’s uncertainty budget—subject to lab-specific validation and control procedures.
Can data be exported directly to LIMS without manual CSV manipulation?
Yes—via Gilian CONNECT PC, users can configure automated folder-based CSV output synchronized with LIMS ingestion protocols, provided the LIMS accepts standardized comma-delimited formats with header mapping.
What maintenance is required to sustain calibration validity?
Annual recalibration by an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited provider is recommended. Critical orifices must remain free of particulate contamination; visual inspection and ultrasonic cleaning with IPA are advised before each high-accuracy campaign.
Is SmartCal™ functionality available with all GilAir® pump models?
SmartCal™ auto-synchronization is supported only with GilAir Plus® and GilAir Elite® series pumps equipped with firmware v3.2 or later.