Restek 23260 Electronic Gas Flowmeter
| Brand | Restek |
|---|---|
| Model | 23260 |
| Origin | USA |
| Type | Electronic Volumetric Flowmeter |
| Measurement Range | 0.5–500 mL/min |
| Accuracy | ±2% or ±0.2 mL/min (whichever is greater) |
| Display | LCD |
| Power | 2 × AA batteries |
| Output | USB data interface |
| Certifications | NIST-traceable calibration, Ex-rated for hazardous areas (H₂-compatible) |
| Features | Over-flow alarm, auto power-off, ergonomic handheld/desktop design, leak detection capability, field-reconfigurable gas selection, recalibratable |
| Compliance | Meets ASTM D3588 and ISO 4064-1 general principles for volumetric flow measurement in laboratory gas systems |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Overview
The Restek 23260 Electronic Gas Flowmeter is a precision volumetric flow measurement instrument engineered specifically for quantitative gas flow verification and monitoring in analytical laboratory environments—particularly in gas chromatography (GC) systems. It operates on the thermal dispersion principle, where a heated sensor element and reference thermistor detect convective heat loss proportional to gas mass flow, then convert it to volumetric flow at defined temperature and pressure conditions (typically ambient lab conditions). The device delivers real-time, continuous readings with a calibrated range of 0.5 to 500 mL/min, supporting all common carrier and auxiliary gases—including helium, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, and synthetic air—without requiring gas-specific hardware swaps. Its NIST-traceable calibration ensures metrological integrity across laboratories subject to ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements. The Ex-rated housing (per IEC 60079-0 and -11) enables safe deployment in hydrogen-rich or potentially explosive atmospheres, making it suitable for high-risk GC carrier gas lines, purge-and-trap systems, and inert gas manifold validation.
Key Features
- Thermal dispersion-based volumetric flow sensing with automatic temperature and pressure compensation
- High-resolution LCD display with backlight for clear visibility under varied lighting conditions
- Over-flow alarm with visual and audible indication when flow exceeds user-defined thresholds
- Auto power-off after 5 minutes of inactivity to conserve battery life (2 × AA alkaline)
- Ergonomic dual-mode form factor: stable desktop placement or one-handed portable operation
- USB 2.0 interface for direct data logging to Windows/Linux PCs; compatible with Restek’s FlowLog software for time-stamped export (CSV/TXT)
- Field-selectable gas type correction (via menu-driven interface) to maintain accuracy across multi-gas labs
- Re-calibration port and documented procedure support routine metrological maintenance per internal quality protocols
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The 23260 is validated for use with non-corrosive, non-condensing gases at temperatures between 5 °C and 40 °C and pressures up to 150 psig. It complies with the fundamental measurement principles outlined in ISO 4064-1 (water meters) adapted for low-flow gas applications, and aligns with ASTM D3588 (Standard Practice for Calculating Heat Value, Compressibility Factor, and Relative Density of Gaseous Fuels) for volumetric-to-molar conversion traceability. Its Ex certification satisfies Class I, Division 1, Group H₂ requirements per UL 913 and ATEX 2G IIC T4 Ga standards—enabling deployment adjacent to hydrogen supply manifolds, GC oven enclosures, or catalytic reactor exhaust lines. The unit meets GLP documentation requirements through audit-ready calibration certificates and supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant data handling when used with validated software configurations.
Software & Data Management
Data acquisition is enabled via native USB HID protocol—no drivers required on modern OS platforms. Restek FlowLog (v3.2+) provides timestamped session logging, statistical summaries (min/max/mean/stdev), and configurable alarm triggers. Exported datasets include flow value, timestamp, selected gas type, ambient temperature, and battery status—structured for integration into LIMS or ELN systems. Audit trails record all parameter changes, calibration events, and firmware updates. Raw binary logs are digitally signed to prevent tampering, satisfying ALCOA+ data integrity criteria for regulated QC/QA workflows.
Applications
- Verification and optimization of GC carrier gas flow rates prior to method validation
- Leak detection in gas delivery systems using pressure-decay correlation or upstream/downstream differential measurements
- Calibration cross-check of electronic pneumatic control (EPC) modules in modern GC instruments
- Validation of split/splitless injector gas flows during method transfer studies
- Monitoring purge gas flow in dynamic headspace and purge-and-trap autosamplers
- Verification of zero-air generator output stability in ambient air monitoring labs
- Supporting ISO 17025 clause 6.4.10 (equipment verification) for accredited testing laboratories
FAQ
Is the 23260 compatible with hydrogen as a carrier gas?
Yes—the instrument carries Ex certification for Group H₂ environments and is rated for continuous operation with hydrogen at standard lab temperatures and pressures.
Can the flowmeter be recalibrated in-house?
Yes—Restek provides a certified recalibration kit (P/N CAL-23260-KIT) and step-by-step SOPs compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 Section 6.6.
Does it require external power or only batteries?
It operates exclusively on two AA alkaline batteries; USB connection is data-only and does not power the device.
What gases are supported out-of-the-box?
Helium, nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, air, and methane—with additional gases programmable via firmware update using Restek’s Configuration Utility.
How is NIST traceability documented?
Each unit ships with a certificate of calibration listing uncertainty values (k=2), reference standard ID, and NIST-traceable chain of custody per ISO/IEC 17025 Annex A.3.
