The G3 is a low humidity generator that encapsulates essential tubing, pressure regulator, flow regulator, and saturator within a sealed vacuum chamber. Use of the vacuum chamber eliminates atmospheric water vapor permeation and the need for thermal insulation materials in and around thermally controlled components. Additionally, Stirling cryo-coolers (more accurately Free-Piston Stirling Coolers) are used to cool the saturator.

With these improvements over conventional designs, the G3 has better accuracy and performance at low humidity due to reduced permeation effects, improved thermal insulation and control, faster cool down characteristics, and better maintenance access.

Principle of Operation
A hybrid humidity generator combines the features of the NIST-proven two-pressure and two-temperature humidity generation principles. Utilizing these principles, a stream of gas at an elevated pressure is saturated with respect to the liquid or solid phase of water at a given saturation temperature. Here, saturation temperature is the major determining factor for the quantity of water vapor admixed with the carrier gas. Pressure within the saturator is the major determining factor for the carrier gas quantity of the mixture. Upon leaving the saturator, the humidified gas stream (consisting of the water vapor admixed with the carrier gas) is then expanded to a lower pressure and warmed to an alternate temperature at the point of use, such as a Device Under Test (DUT). Measurements of the pressure and temperature within the saturator, and the pressure and temperature following expansion (generally at the DUT), are then used to determine the resulting humidity content of the gas stream. Humidity is then accurately controlled by regulation of the temperature and pressure within the saturator.

Using the two-pressure technique, humidity is generated by fully saturating gas at a known temperature and pressure, then reducing the pressure to a lower value (typically ambient) at the same temperature. The humidity produced by this technique is determined solely from measurements of temperature and pressure and does not rely on measurement of the water vapor content.