Next Generation PetroSpec QuickSpec Released by PAC - Portable ethanol and water analyzer for gasoline blends

PAC, a leading global provider of advanced analytical instruments for laboratories and online process applications, is pleased to announce the release of its next generation PetroSpec QuickSpec, which is an innovative, portable analyzer that delivers simple, fast, and accurate analysis of ethanol and water in gasoline blends. With this latest release, the QuickSpec analyzer expands its analysis range of ethanol, 0.1 vol% to 100.0 vol%, which is crucial for ethanol blending in gasoline and for measuring purity of fuel-grade ethanol. Water can still be measured from 0.01 vol% to 5.00 vol%. Learn more about the QuickSpec by attending an upcoming PAC webinar.

With global consumption of fuel-grade ethanol on the rise, the need to quickly and accurately measure the purity of the ethanol that will be blended into fuels for final consumption increases. Terminal operators and others need to know at all times that they are receiving fuel ethanol that meets the ASTM D4806 standard.

QuickSpec combines these two tests, which would typically require two separate analytical instruments. Compared to the traditional test method for analyzing ethanol content, the QuickSpec has several advantages, including:

• Portability– Since it is light and compact, the QuickSpec can be used in the lab, as well as at the terminal or in the refinery
• Ease of use – No training is required to run the QuickSpec due to the high levels of automation; users simply fill a sample cell with a fuel/ethanol mixture and place the sample cell in the instrument to run the analysis.
• Quick and accurate analysis – QuickSpec provides results in 20 seconds.
• Low maintenance operation – The QuickSpec is factory calibrated for water and ethanol analysis.

Analysis is performed using a near infrared spectral method, and is accurate down to tenths of volume percent. With the global consumption of fuel-grade ethanol on the rise, it is necessary to quickly and accurately measure ethanol and water throughout the fuel blending process. By utilizing QuickSpec throughout the process, end product quality is ensured to be within spec and meet industry standards.