Penetration tests are performed on petroleum products to determine consistency and shear stability (lubricating greases) for design, quality control and identification purposes. A standard cone or needle is released from a penetrometer and allowed to drop freely into the sample for 5 seconds (or a different specified interval) at constant temperature. The depth of penetration of the cone or needle into the sample is measured in tenths of a millimeter by the penetrometer.

Dropping point determinations are used for identification and quality control purposes, and can be an indication of the highest temperature of utility for some applications. The sample is heated at a prescribed rate in a precision machined cup whose sides slope toward an opening at its center. The temperature at which a liquid drop first falls from the cup is the dropping point of the sample.

Oxidation stability is determined by exposing the sample to a measured oxygen flow at elevated temperature in the presence of metal catalysts.

Evaluates oxidation stability by subjecting the sample to a temperature of 95°C in the presence of oxygen or dry air. For inhibited mineral oils, the sample is reacted with oxygen in the presence of water and an iron-copper catalyst.

Cloud point and pour point are indicators of the lowest temperature of utility for petroleum products. The sample is periodically examined while it is being cooled in the cloud and pour point apparatus. The highest temperature at which haziness is observed (cloud point), or the lowest temperature at which movement of the oil is observed (pour point), is reported as the test result.

Determine the amount of ash in distillate and residual fuels, gas turbine fuels, crude oils, lubricating oils, waxes, and other petroleum products with this ashing furnace. The digital PID control accurately maintains temperature settings. A special air intake and exhaust system provides six air exchanges every minute while incoming air is preheated to ensure good temperature uniformity. Control panel allows you to store up to nine different programs and contains an integrated timer.

Double-walled stainless steel housing provides stability and a low external temperature. Highly durable, cured vacuum fiber module lining offers excellent temperature distribution. Oven is heated from two sides by ceramic heating plates with integrated heating elements that remain safe from fumes and splashing. Solid-state relays help provide low-noise operation.

Salt content is determined by measuring the conductivity of a solution of crude oil in a polar solvent when subjected to an alternating electrical current and is obtained by comparison of the resulting conductance to a calibration curve of known salt mixtures.

The Air Jet Erosion Test Rig has been developed to evaluate the erosion resistance of variety of materials and conforms to the specifications of ASTM G76 standard. The principle of operation consists of subjecting the test sample to a jet of air carrying the erodent, through a tungsten carbide nozzle of a known diameter. The impingement of the erodent particles on the test sample surface causes erosion and this is quantified by weight loss method. The particle velocity is controlled by varying the flow rate of air and the erodent feed rate is varied by changing the speed of the conveyor system which delivers the erodent to the jet of air. The particle velocity is measured with a well-established Double Disc arrangement method. The test sample temperature can be varied from ambient to 4000C and test sample inclination is infinitely variable 0-900 with respect to the jet of erodent particles.

Covers the Assessment of the wear aspects of the boundary lubrication properties of aviation turbine fuels on rubbing steel surfaces. The test ball is pressed with a force of 10 N against the test ring. The test ring is made to rotate at 240 RPM for a period of 30 minutes after which the test stops. The wear scar on the test ball is studied and the scar diameters of the wear scar (major and minor axis) are measured. Data Acquisition Test parameters such as speed, test duration, fuel temperature, air temperature and humidity are acquired, displayed and recorded. The acquired data can be viewed in graphs. The data acquisition system provides the users with the facility to super impose up to four test graphs for comparative viewing.

Measures the ability of a grease to protect a bearing against corrosion in the presence of water. Two sets of grease-coated bearings per station are partially immersed in water and rotated at a speed of 80 rpm in a sequence of running and resting periods. At the end of the test, the raceways of the bearing outer rings are inspected for rust. A good quality grease should be designed to protect the bearing from rust and corrosion.

Koehler’s Four Ball Tester determines the Wear Preventative (WP) and Extreme Pressure (EP) characteristics of lubricating oils and greases in sliding steel-on-steel applications. The test consists of rotating a steel ball under load against three stationary steel balls coated with lubricant. Measurements are taken at the rotating speeds, temperatures, and duration as specified by published standards. The load-wear index can be calculated from the weld point in EP tests, and lubricant comparisons can be made based upon scar diameters incurred from wear tests.

The Grease Noise Tester evaluates the lubrication integrity of greases, providing a quantitative assessment of the noise characteristics of the grease. The use of clean lubricants is essential for obtaining long bearing life. A clean grease for initial lubrication as well as re-lubrication are essential to ensure machine longevity. In applications where bearing fatigue life is not critical such as low operating loads, a clean grease is essential to ensure low bearing noise required for many electric motor applications.

The Grease Noise Tester measures the specific disturbances caused by the rolling of particulates called vibration peaks, and features a proprietary Peak Detection Algorithm that singles out these vibration peaks from the total bearing vibration signal. The number of vibration peaks and their intensity are analyzed to determine a quantitative value for quiet running behavior of the bearing. In addition, the “grease damping ability” can be evaluated for a direct comparison between the running of a dry bearing versus the running of a lubricated bearing. Designed for proper testing while minimizing the risk of outside contamination, the semi-automated tester utilizes computer-controlled grease dosages and peak measurements on a single test bearing of special low noise quality.

For evaluation of the lubricity of diesel fuels using a high-frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR). A 2-mL test specimen of fuel is placed in the test reservoir and maintained at 25 or 60°C. When the temperature has stabilized, a vibrator arm holding a non-rotating steel ball and loaded with a 200-g mass is lowered until it contacts a test disk completely submerged in the fuel. The ball is caused to rub against the disk with a 1-mm stroke at a frequency of 50 Hz for 75 min. The ball is removed from the vibrator arm and cleaned. The dimensions of the major and minor axes of the wear scar are measured under magnification and recorded.

Data Acquisition System incorporates sensor and signals with a combination of data acquisition hardware and software to create a complete measurement system. They measure Real Time Data of physical properties of test materials. Friction, Wear, and Temperature can be analyzed and correlated with different test materials. The Koehler Pin on Disc Tester is primarily intended for determining the tribological characteristics of a wide range of materials under various conditions of normal loads and temperatures. A stationary pin mounted on a holder is brought in contact against a rotating disc at a specified speed. As the pin is sliding, the resulting frictional force acting between the pin and disc is measured. Both normal load and speed can be set as desired.

Evaluates the shear stability of polymer-containing fluids. The test method measures the percent viscosity loss (and mm2/s for test method D7109) at 100°C of polymer-containing fluids when evaluated by a diesel injector apparatus procedure that uses European diesel injector test equipment. The viscosity loss reflects polymer degradation due to shear at the nozzle. For D7109: Viscosity loss is evaluated after both 30 and 90 cycles of shearing.

Calibrated Glass Capillary Kinematic Viscometers Koehler offers a full selection of glass capillary viscometers for measuring kinematic viscosity of liquid petroleum products in accordance with ASTM D445 and related standard test methods. All types of viscometers conform to ASTM D446 and related standard specifications for glass capillary kinematic viscometers. Each viscometer is supplied with a calibration certificate, and holders should be ordered separately. Please refer to the following brief descriptions for determining which viscometer is best suited for your particular application.

KV5000 model Kinematic Viscosity Baths with optical flow detection system provide automatic viscosity measurements of petroleum and petrochemical products. Includes communication and power ports for each optical detection assembly, and can utilize up to five optical assemblies. Two additional positions are available for manual viscosity measurements, and all positions can be used in the manual mode. The interchangeable Ubbelohde, Cannon®- Fenske, and Cannon®- Fenske Opaque Reverse Flow viscometer tubes are quickly installed and removed from the detection assemblies for cleaning and simple tube changes. Allows for automatic viscosity measurements and results calculation without an external PC. Motorized stirrer provides complete circulation without turbulence. Microprocessor PID circuitry assures precise, reliable temperature control within ASTM specified tolerances throughout the operating range. Simple push-button controls and dual digital displays permit easy setting and monitoring of temperature. Two place calibration offset capability is provided. Built-in cooling coil facilitates temperature control at ambient or below ambient temperatures.