Portable gas analyser brings rapid results to oil analysis

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology

ISSN: 0036-8792

Article publication date: 1 August 2004

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Keywords

Citation

(2004), "Portable gas analyser brings rapid results to oil analysis", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 56 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.2004.01856dad.003

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited


Portable gas analyser brings rapid results to oil analysis

Portable gas analyser brings rapid results to oil analysis

Keywords: Mans International, Gas, Oil, Analysis

For the fast, accurate analysis of dissolved gases in oil, the new Kelman “Transport X” portable gas analyser is now available in the UK and rest of Europe from Mans International.

With Transport X, it is now possible to conduct dissolved gas analysis on site. Results are achieved in a matter of minutes, rather than days or weeks being analysed at a laboratory off site. Not only does this bring significant cost savings through faster analysis turnaround times, but also allows routine operators to make oil analysis checks on a regular basis and keep valuable equipment up and running for maximum productivity.

Mans International sees Transport X as the ideal asset management solution for the industrial maintenance sector. It is particularly suited for industrial plant operations, off shore oil rigs, those operators responsible for their own switch gear, and the maintenance of transformers in the electricity supply industry. The system will also appeal to commercial testing laboratories who want to offer an onsite testing service.

Transport X is easy to use, with a step-by-step touch screen operation. After loading the oil sample, the gas is extracted automatically and analysed by a special technique called photoacoustic spectroscopy. This technique was first discovered by Alexander Graham Bell in the late 19th Century, but is now available only to industrial applications thanks to the advanced technology developed recently. This method is so advanced, it is identical to that used by the European Space Agency for monitoring blood gases. Essentially, when pulses of infrared light are aimed at the gas sample, fluctuating pressure waves are generated which are then detected by high sensitivity microphones within the unit. Because each gas has a unique absorption fingerprint, it is easy to determine which gas is present and in what concentration.

Unlike conventional spectroscopy, this technique measures absorption directly for greater accuracy. Compared to traditional Gas Chromatography analysis, smaller samples and less consumables are required for greater cost efficiency, and the inherent stability within the system reduces the problems associated with instrument calibration.

Analysis of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, acetylene, ethane and ethylene is possible and data can be exported to a PC from the unit via an on board RS-232 or USB port. Transport X weighs less than 10 kg for easy portability, and contained within a rugged case for out in the field use.

For more information, contact: Mans International. Tel: +44 (0)1249 816181; Web site: www.mansint.com

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