Intercomparison of photoacoustic and cavity attenuated phase shift instruments: laboratory calibration and field measurements

The study of aerosol optical properties is essential to understand its impact on the global climate. In our recent field measurement carried out in the Gehu area of southwest Changzhou City, a photoacoustic extinctiometer (PAX) and a cavity attenuated phase shift albedo monitor (CAPS-ALB) were used for online aerosol optical properties measurement. Laboratory calibration with gas and particle samples were carried out to correct disagreements of field measurements. During particle calibration, we adopted ammonium sulfate (AS) samples for scattering calibration of nephelometer parts of both the instruments, then combined these with number-size distribution measurements in the MIE model for calculating the value of the total scattering (extinction) coefficient. During gas calibration, we employed high concentrations of NO2 for absorption calibration of the PAX resonator and then further intercompared the extinction coefficient of CAPS-ALB with a cavity-enhanced spectrometer. The correction coefficient obtained from the laboratory calibration experiments was employed on the optical properties observed in the field measurements correspondingly and showed good results in comparison with reconstructed extinction from the IMPROVE model. The intercomparison of the calibrated optical properties of PAX and CAPS-ALB in field measurements was in good agreement with slopes of 1.052, 1.024 and 1.046 for extinction, scattering and absorption respectively, which shows the reliability of measurement results and verifies the correlation between the photoacoustic and the cavity attenuated phase shift instruments.

Development of a centralized approach to conducting interlaboratory proficiency tests

Важнейшим звеном системы контроля качества нефти являются испытательные лаборатории, от компетентности которых зависит достоверность результатов измерений и эффективность управленческих решений, принимаемых с учетом полученных данных. Одним из способов подтверждения достоверности результатов измерений является проверка квалификации лаборатории посредством ее участия в межлабораторных сличительных (сравнительных) испытаниях (МСИ). В настоящей статье рассмотрены вопросы проведения таких испытаний для лабораторий организаций системы «Транснефть». Описан действующий порядок, предполагающий участие лабораторий в МСИ в регионах своего местонахождения, при этом разработкой и реализацией программы проверки квалификации занимаются сторонние организации - провайдеры МСИ. Такая практика имеет существенные недостатки, не позволяя, в том числе, систематизировать и обобщить результаты МСИ для общей оценки деятельности испытательных лабораторий ПАО «Транснефть». В статье представлен централизованный подход к проведению МСИ в ПАО «Транснефть», устанавливающий единый порядок участия лабораторий в испытаниях с целью осуществления общей оценки квалификации лабораторий, своевременной разработки и реализации предупреждающих и корректирующих мероприятий по улучшению деятельности лабораторий, усовершенствования системы контроля качества нефти на объектах ПАО «Транснефть». The most important link in the oil quality control system are testing laboratories, the competence of which determines the reliability of measurement results and the effectiveness of management decisions based on the data obtained. One way to confirm the validity of measurement results is to verify the laboratory qualifications through its participation in interlaboratory proficiency (comparative) tests (IPT). This article considers the issues of such tests for the laboratories of Transneft system entities. The current procedure is described, which involves the participation of laboratories in the IPT in the regions of their location, while the development and implementation of the proficiency testing program is carried out by third-party IPT provider organizations. This practice has significant drawbacks, not allowing, among other things, to systematize and summarize the results of IPT for an overall assessment of the activities of Transneft PJSC’s testing laboratories. The article presents a centralized approach to conducting IPT in Transneft PJSC, which establishes a unified procedure for the participation of laboratories in tests in order to implement an overall assessment of laboratory qualification, timely development and implementation of preventive and corrective measures to improve the performance of laboratories and improve the oil quality control system at the Transneft PJSC facilities.

Measuring Kinematic Viscosity of Engine Oils: A Comparison of Data Obtained from Four Different Devices

The aim of this paper is to compare the results of kinematic viscosity of lubricating oils measurements at 40 °C, obtained with three different rapid evaluation devices, and the standardized method using an Ubbelohde Capillary viscometer. The following instruments were selected to measure: a mid-FTIR spectrophotometer, a microchannel viscometer, and a Stabinger viscometer. The study material comprised 42 fresh engine oils, all of which are commercially available. The main data analysis tools used in the study were multiple regression, Mahala Nobis distance, post-hoc analysis, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with the Bonferroni correction. Consistent outcomes were obtained for the Stabinger viscometer only, whereas the microchannel viscometer and the mid-FTIR spectrophotometer were not as precise as the reference method. It was also found that the results obtained with the use of the mid-FTIR spectrophotometer were burdened with a very large measurement error. Therefore, a very careful approach is suggested when choosing these instruments. The study fills an important gap in empirical research in the context of the reliability of measurement results obtained using various research techniques.

Methodology and reliability of corneo-pterygium total area measurements utilizing image analysis method

Introduction: To propose an objective method of quantifying pterygium total area utilizing image analysis method. Methods: 68 primary pterygium participants were selected from patients who visited an ophthalmology clinic. We adopted image analysis software in calculating the size of invading pterygium to the cornea. The marking of calculated area was done manually and the total area size was measured in pixel. The calculated area is defined as the area from the apex of pterygium to the limbal-corneal border. Then, from pixel it was transformed into a percentage (%), which represents the corneo-pterygium total area relative to the total corneal surface area. Intra-observer reliability testing was performed by the tracing process was repeated twice with a different sequence of images at least one (1) month apart. Inter-observer reliability were also examined by having two observers. Intraclass correlation (ICC) and scatter plot were used to describe the reliability of measurement. Results: The overall mean (N = 68) of corneo-pterygium total area was 44.36 ± 12.31% (CI: 41.38 – 47.34). Reliability for ROI demarcation of corneo-pterygium total area were excellent with intra and inter-agreement of 0.999 (95%CI, 0.998– 0.999; P <0.001) and 0.998 (95%CI, 0.997–0.999; P <0.001) respectively. Conclusions: The image analysis method is useful, reliable and practical in a clinical setting to objectively quantify corneo-pterygium total area regardless of the size and shapes. By having a standardized measurement of corneo-pterygium total area, the actual effects of the pterygium progression on changes of corneal curvature can be investigated.

Development of the System for Control of Environmental Parameters in the Aquarium

The paper considers the solution of the scientific and practical task of developing a system for monitoring environmental parameters in an aquarium from creating a structural diagram and an algorithm to working up to developing a basic electrical circuit. The factors affecting the livelihoods of fish in an aquarium are analyzed, and the main ones that need to be controlled are established. The uncertainty of the measurement results of the established basic parameters of the medium, namely temperature and dissolved oxygen, was calculated, which proved the possibility of ensuring high accuracy and reliability of measurement results obtained using the developed control system. The developed control system allows to ensure the relative measurement error not worse than 0.5%. The need to develop a control system is connec-ted with the fact that in order to ensure the normal development of fish and plants in the aquarium, it is necessary to create an environment that is as much as possible natural. This requires timely temperature control, as well as control of the pH and dissolved oxy-gen, which is possible only with the help of an automatic control system. The system allows the sending of SMS commands for switching on/off the heating and aeration of water in the aquarium, receiving reports on the condition of the heater and the aerator (on/off) and the measured environmental parameters. It is possible to program, for example, sending messa-ges with abnormal increase or decrease in temperature or the suspicious rate of its change. In the course of the work the structural and electrical principles of the control system were created, the algorithm of its work was being compiled, the uncertainty of the measurement of the main parameters of the environment in the aquarium was carried out, which proved the possibility of providing high accuracy and reliability of the results of measurements obtained with the help of the developed control system.

Determination of measurement uncertainty as a necessary condition confirming the reliability of measurement results

W artykule zawarto najważniejsze zagadnienia związane z wyznaczaniem niepewności pomiaru oraz z przedstawianiem wiarygodnych wyników pomiarów. Przedstawiono m.in. najważniejsze pojęcia dotyczące niepewności pomiaru, wymagania normatywne, źródła, cel oraz metody wyznaczania niepewności pomiaru. Artykuł zawiera również odniesienie do czynności metrologicznych wykonywanych w Laboratorium Badań Pojazdów Szynowych w celu spełnienia przedstawionych wymagań.

Metrological traceability for the analysis of environmental pollutants in the atmosphere

<p>The importance of carrying out accurate and reliable measurements is a fundamental topic in many different fields, in particular for the safeguard of the environment and the climatic conditions of the planet. This is the basis for the planning of correct actions to prevent environmental damages and potential harmful effects for the health of the human beings. The application of metrology to chemical monitoring can assure the reliability of measurement results.</p><p class="Abstract"><span lang="EN-US">At the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM), the Italian Metrology Institute, different activities are carried out for the analysis of gaseous and organic pollutants in the atmosphere. This paper deals with some examples of such activities. </span></p><p class="Abstract"><span lang="EN-US">For gaseous pollutants primary gravimetric mixtures are produced for the calibration of the instrumentation devoted to the analysis of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x), with the aim of assuring traceability to the measurements of CO₂ at ambient level and at the vehicles emission level, and of NO_x at ambient level. On the other hand, research is carried out in the field of organic micropollutants, in particular regarding the establishment of metrological traceability for the atmospheric concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed on particulate matter (PM).</span></p>

Efficient Genetic Algorithms for Measurement of Flatness Error and Development of Flatness Plane Based on Minimum Zone Method

Measurement of geometrical tolerances is one of the prime processes in manufacturing for ensuring the quality of the machined components. Manufactured components are sent to assembly line based on measurement reports, so measurement is inevitable in any production setup. Flatness error is one of the important icons in the crew of geometrical tolerances; if unqualified components are sent to assembly line, the components may not function according to the design requirements. This paper presents real coded efficient genetic algorithms (EGA) for flatness error measurement and flatness plane development using minimum zone method. Flatness plane has been developed by determining the flatness plane coefficients. The flatness plane coefficients determine the orientation of the surface. The proposed algorithms are equipped with high precision, accuracy, good repeatability and fast mature convergence rate. The algorithms characteristics like precision, accuracy, repeatability ensure the reliability of measurement results of measured component and fast mature convergence rate ensure the reduction in the inspection time.

The Operation Monitoring Condition of the Production Machinery and Facilities Using the Tools of Technical Diagnostics

Technical diagnostics is currently the most important factor of reliability, dealing with forms of disorder manifestation, developing of disorders, their detection and working principles. As tool it has great value in operation and maintenance of facilities. It denotes great interest not only in scientific sphere but also in sphere of results application in the new developing methods and their using in professional practice. Using methods of technical diagnostics taking into account the reliability of measurement results both with new methods IT is one of the main tool for effective management of facilities, elimination of unacceptable conditions and other aspects. The article describes the application of technical and diagnostic tools on workplaces for monitoring behavior of the production machines and facilities.