Analysis of the Comparison of TPW Realizations in Europe in Light of CCT Recommendation 2 (CI-2005)

摘要

Three comparisons of different triple-point-of-water (TPW) realizations in Europe have been organized under the auspices of EUROMET (EUROMET Projects 278, 549, and 714). Thirty European national metrology institutes were involved in these three comparisons that took place from 1994 to 2005. The aim of these successive projects was to assess the uncertainties associated with the practical realization of the triple point of water in Europe. Fifty-four TPW local cells were compared to a traveling standard cell (ref 679) circulated with an isothermal enclosure. The same equipment was used for the three projects, and LNE-INM regularly checked the stability of the TPW standard cell. Recently, LNE-INM has devoted efforts to bring the French standard at the triple point of water into close agreement with CIPM Recommendation 2 (CI-2005). The isotopic fractionation between water and ice when the cell is in use was experimentally studied. Several new TPW cells delivered by the manufacturer with water samples were added to our batch of reference cells. A French laboratory analyzed the isotopic compositions of these samples. These actions allow the French national definition of temperature at the triple point of water to be changed. A new temperature was associated with TPW cell 679 in agreement with the CIPM recommendation. In this presentation, the latest TPW cell measurements carried out by LNE-INM are presented. The results from EUROMET Projects 278, 549, and 714 are investigated in light of these changes.