Real Time On Site Oil Condition Measurements

With an in-service weight of only 4lbs (1.8 Kg) the FluidScan Lubricant Condition Monitor is so portable and easy to use that it can be used for measurements in locations where other instruments would be too bulky or inconvenient – such as at the top of a wind turbine or on an oil rig. Using Infra-Red spectroscopy, the FluidScan determines key lubricant condition parameters like TAN, TBN, oxidation, nitration, sulfation, soot, glycol, water and additive depletion in less than one minute. With no delay waiting for laboratory results, vital preventive maintenance can be triggered immediately, thereby avoiding catastrophic equipment failure. Also, costly but unnecessary lubricant replacement can be postponed until actually required.

A unique (Patent Pending) feature of the FluidScan that hugely simplifies the operating procedure is its “flip-top” sample cell that can be loaded with one hand from a pipette or dipstick and accommodates all sample types from biodiesel to heavy greases. No solvents are needed for cleaning, a real advantage when working in hazardous environments. A simple wipe over with a cleaning patch is sufficient, with a built-in routine that checks for cell cleanliness before allowing the next measurement to proceed. The cell design also eliminates the fringing effects experienced with conventional short pathlength cells.

Sample spectra can be compared with an extensive library of spectra from a large database of commonly used lubricants, and a “traffic light” pass/warning/fail system provides an immediate indication of sample condition without the need for spectrum interpretation. When quantitative results are needed, chemometric techniques automatically correct for interferences, giving improved accuracy.

Results are displayed on an integral colour screen and a built-in lithium battery gives 6 to 8 hours use dependent upon conditions. The Fluidscan also has a comprehensive built-in database so individual asset results are stored, and can be easily downloaded to PC for reporting/trending purposes.

The FluidScan is manufactured by Spectro Inc. and distributed in the United Kingdom by Analysco Ltd.