MechChem Africa April 2017

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

New instruments for faster results

as diesel, heating oil, kerosene as well as bothbiodiesel andbiodiesel blended fuels. The ADU 5, SVM3001 and PMA 5 are upgrades to existing equipment oper- ated by WearCheck, which have led to improved service delivery and reductions in turnaround times. Using the Kruss K11 tensiometer, the analysis of the decomposition product content of transformer oil is done in accordance with ASTM D971. This fully- automated instrument conducts precise measurement of surface tension and interfacial tension (IFT). This data is key in the maintenance of transformers and in making informed decisions on whether to extend the life of the oil – a useful way to save customers money. www.wearcheck.co.za

Leading condition monitoring specialists, WearCheck, recently invested inexcess of R1.7-million in new high-tech equipment in both the transformer and fuel sections of their Johannesburg-based speciality oil and fuel sample laboratory. The Kruss K11 tensiometer, an ADU 5 distillation unit, a SVM3001 Stabinger viscometer as well as the PMA 5 Pensky- Martens closed-cup flash point tester are among the new pieces. These highly accurate, sophisticated instruments have not only boosted the lab’s productivity by offering new tests and saving time on existing ones, but have also reduced the turnaround time to generate customers’ sample results. The ADU 5, a fully-automated distilla- tionunit that is operatedby a touch screen interface, performs distillation tests ac- cording to ASTM D86. This is recognised as one of the most reliable methods of determining theboiling range characteris- tics of petroleumproducts, and is a critical measurement of the overall performance and safety of fuels.

The SVM3001 is a Stabinger visco­ meter, which is capable of multiple parameter measurements in a single analysis, eliminating the need for many separate tests. The instrument can simultaneously measure kinematic viscosity according to ASTM D7042, dynamic viscosity, as well as the density according to ASTMD4052 in lubricating oils, base oils, additives and fuel oils. The automatic PMA 5 Pensky- Martens closed-cup tester measures the flash point at the lowest temperature at which the application of an ignition source causes the vapours of a sample to ignite. This instrument is suitable for flammability applications on fuels such Fluke, represented locallybyComtest, has just launched its new rugged Fluke laser levels. Designed and tested to survive a one-metre drop, users have come to rely on Fluke’s professional-grade tools that provide precision and accuracy. The 3-point laser level delivers accuracy to 6.0mmat 30mand the continuous line la- sers levels are accurate to 3.0mmat 10m. The fast settling, self-levellinggimbal gives users accurate reference points and lines almost instantly, making long and tedious layouts a thing of past. Fluke-3PRandFluke-3PG instruments are self-levelling 3-point laser levels that allow for fast, accurate layout of refer- ence points over longer distanced (60 m). These include floor-stands for fast, easy overhang and centreline measurements

Rugged precision laser level

The Fluke-180LG from Comtest.

and the green laser line is up to three times brighter for improved visibility for long-range applications (Fluke-3PGonly). The Fluke-180LR and Fluke-180LG are self-levelling, horizontal- and vertical- cross line lasers that are accurate to 3.0 mm at 10 m and also feature brighter green lasers. www.comtest.co.za

WearCheck’s new ADU5 distillation unit is operated by senior lab technician Lizzy Chabangu.

Electromagnetic inductive flowmeter KOBOLD, represented locally by Instrotech, has on offer a newly developed electromag- netic inductive flowmeter for conductive fluids – themodel DMH–witha standardac-

cies and with its alpha-numeric backlit LCD terminal, six keys, plain text response and plausibility check for entries, the system is easy to operate. Empty-pipe detection, coil current mon- itoring, and plain text error messages guarantee full control over the sensor and measuring points at any time. Pulse, status, and current outputs as well as HART ® com- municationare standard features, all of them electrically isolated. Liningmaterials such as hard rubber, soft rubber, PTFE or PFA are also available. A wide range of standard and special electrode materials is on offer, including Hastelloy, platinum, and tantalum. TheDMH is available for nominal width of DN10 to DN1200 and for flowvelocities up to10m/s. www.instrotech.co.za

is induced in accordance with Faraday’s Law of Induction. The size of this measured voltage is proportional to the mean rate of flow and consequently also to the volume flow rate. A flowmeter consists of a sensor that picks up the measuring signal generated from the induced voltage, and a transducer that converts this signal into a standardised output signal (4-20mA or pulses). The mea- surement transducer can be affixed to the sensor or mounted separately. Pressure, temperature, density andviscositydonot af- fect thevolumemeasurement although solid fractions and gas bubbles shouldbe avoided. The microprocessor-controlled UMF2 converter guarantees the highest of accura-

curacyof ±0.3%. It is used specifi- cally for the measurement and monitoring of the volume flow rate of acid or alkaline fluids, potable (drinking) water, waste

water, pulps, pastes and other electrically conduc- tive materials, without loss of pressure. When an electrically conductivemediumpass- es through a directional magnetic field, a voltage

36 ¦ MechChem Africa • April 2017