Fuels
The Lab-X series of analysers have been used for over 30 years by most of the global refineries measuring sulphur in fuels, sulphur, nickel and vanadium in fuel oils, and lead in gasoline. The principle method of analysis for sulphur in fuel conforms, and in many cases exceeds, the specification given in ASTM D4292, ISO8754 and ISO20847.
There are various Lab-X3500 application packages available optimised for specific applications, e.g. low sulphur in oil, (Lab-X Sulphur), mobile laboratory (Lab-X3500SCl) etc. The Lab-X offers simplest, reliable, operation with analysis often carried out by production staff.
The X-Supreme8000 measures from Ultra Low Sulphur (ULS), with a detection limit of 1 ppm to 5%. The inbuilt sample carousel allows for multi sample unattended analysis. As well as sulphur it also measures Nickel, Vanadium, and Iron in fuel oil, lead in gasoline etc.
The MDX1060 is a simultaneous Wavelength Dispersive XRF instrument measuring sulphur in oil to ASTM D2622 specification. This gives high quality analysis in the fastest possible time, in fact results are displayed after the first 2 seconds of measurement and continuously updated allowing “instantaneous” decisions to be made. Additional elements can be added as required and an optional 72 position autosampler allows for unattended operation.
Lubricating Oils
Lubricating oil is a critical component in every engine, and the oil’s main function is to reduce friction, and therefore wear, to ensure long in-service life.
To achieve the required oil properties, specific elements such as calcium, phosphorous, zinc, (the additive elements) are added to a base oil, and the concentration of each element is critical in ensuring correct properties of the final oil.
Once in use, the lubricating oil also becomes a working history of the machinery and measurement of the various metals collecting in the oil, such as iron, nickel, copper etc can give information about the machine components that are wearing. Routine measurement of these metals allows an assessment of the engines wear to be made, leading to fewer in-service failures, longer intervals between routine maintenance, and overall lower operating costs.
X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) is a well established analytical technique offering numerous advantages for production control of lubricating oil and in-service monitoring of metals including; no sample preparation, no potentially hazardous chemicals, no weighting or volumetric measurements, fast analysis, and the instrument can be operated by production staff.
The X-Supreme8000 is a benchtop Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) analyser measuring additive elements, and includes a 10 position sample carousel for unattended operation, and an integrated PC for storage of results, etc. The MDX1060 is a simultaneous Wavelength Dispersive XRF instrument analysing the main additive elements elements to ASTM D 6443 in the fastest possible time, with an optional 72 position autosampler.
In both cases the analysers ensure reliable, robust, simple operation carried out on a 24/7 basis.