The Infracal soot meter from Wilks Enterprise offers users an approved ASTM testing method for measuring the percent level of soot in diesel engine lubricating oil.
In June, the ASTM issued Method D7686-2011 entitled 'Test Method for Field-Based Condition Monitoring of Soot in In-Service Lubricants Using a Fixed-Filter Infrared (IR) Instrument'.
With the Infracal soot meter, rapid, onsite measurement of soot concentration levels in diesel engine oils at levels as high as 12-15 per cent takes less than 30 seconds.
The compact, factory-calibrated pushbutton analyser is said to provide direct readout of the percent of soot in diesel engine lubricating oils without sample preparation, dilution or solvents and messy transmission cells to clean.
The Infracal soot meter was specifically designed for easy onsite field testing, it enables time savings from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and FT-IR methods, which are impractical as field analysis methods.
It is also said to be lower in cost, with one-step pushbutton operation making it easy to use with minimal training.
The Infracal soot meter's rugged, no-moving-parts design is claimed to ensure years of virtually maintenance-free operation.
It weighs less than 5lb and operates off 12VDC power for onsite field measurements.
It is suitable for use at oil/engine testing laboratories, lubricant and additive manufacturers, and power generation stations, or for truck, bus and off-highway fleets.
The soot meter is also suitable for use on all types of diesel lubricating oils and engines and gives users an ASTM-approved test method.
