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[Breath alcohol measuring equipment: principles for calibration]
1Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte.
Blutalkohol
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Breath alcohol simulators using aqueous ethanol solutions are common for random breathalyzer tests. However, absolute calibration requires a new device to accurately convert liquid ethanol into gas for precise evidential breath analyser calibration.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Metrology
Context:
- Evidential breath analyzers (EBAs) are crucial for law enforcement.
- Aqueous ethanol solutions (equilibrators) are standard for simulating breath alcohol content during EBA testing.
- Current methods are insufficient for absolute calibration of EBAs.
Purpose:
- To develop and validate a novel method for the absolute calibration of evidential breath analyzers.
- To address the limitations of aqueous simulators in providing precise ethanol gas concentrations for calibration.
- To ensure the accuracy and reliability of breath alcohol measurement devices.
Summary:
- A new measuring device utilizing a large volume piston pump was designed for absolute calibration of EBAs.
- This device facilitates the transformation of a known quantity of ethanol into a gaseous state.
- The generated gas concentration is measured by the EBA and compared to a calculated value, achieving internationally recognized solubility coefficients.
Impact:
- Enhances the accuracy and reliability of evidential breath alcohol measurements.
- Provides a robust method for the absolute calibration of breathalyzers, improving legal and forensic applications.
- Contributes to standardized and precise alcohol detection in accordance with international metrology standards.