Production • Processing • Handling
Contamination control of hydraulic and lubricating oils
Boris Mette outlines the benefits of a laser particle counter available with ATEX certification for use in areas prone to explosion.
L
asPaC II-I (Inline) Laser Particle Counters from Stauff were developed for continuous monitoring of the contamination of mineral oils and petroleum based fluids. Units that are compatible with phosphate ester and water glycol are available on request. Permanent installation of the particle counter in the fluid system makes it possible for the user to respond immediately to increasing contamination in the fluid, to reduce downtime of the system, and to protect it against costly failures. Te device is very easy to connect to the system by means of two hydraulic test couplings of type Stauff Test 20 (adaptation thread M16x2). Tat way, subsequent installation of the unit is not a problem. LasPaC II-I (Inline) Laser Particle Counters work
according to the ‘light blockade principle’ in which two lasers shine through the liquid to be measured and illuminate a photodiode. If contamination particles in the fluid pass through the laser beam, the total amount of light that reaches the diode is decreased. Since this change is directly proportional to the size of the particles, it is possible to determine the degree of contamination from this. In the process, the unit analyses all particles inside the measuring cell as well as particle sizes that are smaller than 6µm(c). Tat way, inaccuracies that can arise through partial capture or extrapolation are avoided.
Te exact degree of contamination is classified in eight channels between 4µm(c) and 68µm(c). Hence, the LasPaC II-I allows for a more accurate and more complete determination of the particle sizes than other units available in the market, and also makes it possible to assess contamination in coarser ranges. Te results of up to 600 standard measurements
are stored in the internal memory and can be transmitted over the RS-232 interface or a USB adapter to the PC or laptop. Furthermore, an optional external monitor is available for the direct display and real time analysis of the data, which provides a way to start and stop measurements as well as to actuate the integrated flush valve. It is also
no problem to install the LasPaC II-I directly into existing machine systems thanks to the optional integration of a Modbus interface. As additional accessories, the company also supplies a coarse pre-filter to protect the unit, water-in-oil and temperature sensors, as well as sampling sets and bottle sampling units, which make subsequent analysis possible. For use in areas that are prone to explosion,
Stauff offers a special variation of the LasPaC II-I with ATEX certification (zone 2/category 3G). Tis classification was realised through a modified design of the housing and connectors. Hence, the unit meets all the requirements for use in the oil and gas industry or in chemical and process technology. ●
For more information ✔ at
www.engineerlive.com/iog
Boris Mette is with Walter Stauffenberg GmbH & Co KG, Werdohl, Germany.
www.stauff.com
www.engineerlive.com 61
Fig. 1. Available types of LasPaC II-I Laser Particle Counters: Mobile, Portable and Inline.
Photo: Walter Stauffenberg GmbH & Co KG.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100