| Traditional FT-IR (as well as TGA) instrumentation applied to used oil analysis requires considerable operator training and attention. It is also mechanically and operationally too complex for on-site field use. The InfraCal Soot Meter overcomes all of these difficulties and provides on-site, rapid soot analysis at the push of a button -- with minimal operator training. Samples may be applied from the end of a dip-stick or from a simple eye-dropper directly onto the scratch-resistant cubic zirconia attenuated total reflectance (ATR) sampling surface of the analyzer. Cleaning is as simple as wiping with a cloth or paper towel - no cells to clean and solvents requiring special ventilation or expensive waste disposal.
The InfraCal Soot Meter is portable, weighs less than 5 pounds, and is roughly a 6 inch cube in size. Its rugged construction which is sealed against external contamination, plus no moving parts, makes the InfraCal Soot Meter the perfect instrument for field-based operation. The use of a 12 volt power supply enables the InfraCal Soot Meter to be used literally anywhere - in the testing laboratory or right alongside the engine. It is factory calibrated to 10% soot levels that will enable accurate measurements up to 12% - 15%.
Field-based soot analysis will help supplement preventative maintenance programs with rapid screening for added assurance of equipment or vehicle performance while in service. With rapid and easy field screening, cost savings can be realized by extending drain periods and reducing expensive sample disposal. |