Natural gas proficiency testing schemes

NPL organises natural gas proficiency testing (PT) schemes to enable calibration and testing laboratories to achieve greater confidence in their analyses of natural gas composition.

These schemes, which are currently open to UK labs only, involve the distribution of accurate natural gas standards of known composition to participating laboratories for 'blind' testing. Participants analyse the standards and send their results back to NPL. At the conclusion of the scheme, a report is provided to each laboratory, which includes an anonymous comparison of all participants' results. An example of the results obtained in the most recent scheme is shown in the chart:

NPL natural gas PT scheme results for i-Pentane
(Click image to enlarge)

Please use the contact details below to enquire about the timing of the next natural gas PT scheme, or to request any further information.

Refinery gas proficiency testing schemes

NPL also organises refinery gas PT schemes for UK labs. These operate in the same way as the natural gas PT schemes, but involve mixtures that typically contain permanent gases, saturated hydrocarbons and unsaturated hydrocarbons.

NPL's 2011-12 refinery gas PT scheme has been recently been completed the next proficiency testing scheme is being planned for the near future - please contact gases_enquiries@npl.co.uk to request further information.

NPL 'on-demand' proficiency testing schemes

Bilateral, 'on-demand' PT schemes can be carried out with either UK or international laboratories. Details of the operation of these schemes can be found in the procedure document

These 'on-demand' schemes are available for any gas mixture, and their scope and timing are arranged at the convenience of the participating laboratory.

Other gas proficiency testing schemes

PT schemes for other gases, such as motor vehicle emission gases and stack emission gases, are also available. Further details on these schemes can be obtained using the contact details below.

Contact

Customer Service tel: +44 20 8943 8637
E-mail: gases_enquiries@npl.co.uk