Comparison of Monte Carlo Simulation, Least Square Fitting and Calibration Factor Methods for the Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty Using Direct Pressure Indicating Devices

Abstract

At present, several measuring instruments are commercially available in the market for accurate and precise pressure measurements. In case of electromechanical type pressure sensors, the evaluation of measurement uncertainty is always a tedious task for researchers due to lack of availability of the suitable and well-defined mathematical model. In order to harmonize the method of evaluation of measurement uncertainty associated with measuring instruments, “The Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in measurement,” published by International Standard Organization, is a major directional guide which is equally important in pressure metrology. The present paper describes the various uncertainty propagation models developed for the evaluation of measurement uncertainty associated with direct pressure indicating devices (DPIDs). A detailed comparative study is presented while using Monte Carlo simulation, least square fitting and calibration factor methods for the evaluation of measurement uncertainty using a DPID. In order to judge the feasibility and practical applicability of these contemporary methods, it is demonstrated through an example of a case study on the results thus obtained on a DPID that results using three different approaches are in excellent agreement and quite comparable.