Metrohm has announced that its 864 robotic balance sample processor is an advanced system for fully automated TAN/TBN determinations in petroleum products.
Capabilities include weighing, solvent addition, waiting times for complete dissolution and optimised electrode conditioning procedures between samples, as well as the convenient collection of all data in a database.
Results are available within minutes and even very low TAN/TBN values can be determined with reproducibilities better than two per cent, according to the company.
ASTM D 664 and ASTM D 2896 describe two methods for the determination of TAN and TBN based on potentiometric titration of the acidic and basic constituents respectively.
If carried out manually, these procedures are time consuming and labour intensive.
Further drawbacks include the handling of toxic solvent mixtures and the cleaning of oil-smeared beakers and electrodes.
All of this can be avoided with the 864 robotic balance sample processor, as it allows the complete automation of these procedures from sample preparation all the way to collecting and processing results in a comprehensive database.
The system features the patented technique of weighing the sample directly on the rack.
The sample is positioned on the rack and then users press start.
All the other steps are then carried out fully automatically.
This includes taring of the titration beaker as well as transferring the correct amount of sample.
This technique significantly improves the accuracy and reproducibility of results, according to Metrohm.
