Spectro analytical technology platforms for oil and lubricant analysis

Spectro has released a range of analytically significant technology platforms in the field of oil and lubricant analysis. The company’s lab, field-portable and handheld analytical tools are based on emission, infrared, FTIR and X-ray technologies, among others.

The company aims to meet the needs of customers who have challenges sampling fluids in the field - both lubricating and process. The company’s  flip-top sampling cell is a tool that allows infrared measurement of fluids or solids with the ease of use of an ATR (attuenated total reflectance) cell and the sensitivity of a transmission cell. This approach greatly simplifies sampling for infrared measurement, improves accuracy and allows chemometrics to be performed on location at the application site.

The company’s direct infrared handheld spectrometer, FluidScan, uses an optical wedge design, developed for rugged environments where moving parts are not desired. Infrared measurement is in the 950 to 4000 cm^-1 range. The technology optimises the infrared measurement into specific regions with high sensitivity within the mid infrared range. Though currently aimed at petroleum applications, it is possible to optimise the measurement for other purposes such as pharma, food and beverage, process control, and industrial chemicals analysis.

Measuring viscosity of Newtonian fluids in the field solvent free has been an industry challenge that the company has overcome with its split cell capillary viscometer technique. The Q3000 viscometer opens up the possibilities of industries and environments being able to measure kinematic viscosity at a fixed temperature (40°C) on fluids for quality control or condition monitoring purposes. The product uses solvent-free kinematic viscosity measurement, which is an advantage over other products on the market. Viscosity tests could never be done on location in a convenient way before because solvents, and the capabilities to handle them, were required to clean the measuring device.