Register for a Hamilton Webinar!

Oil Sampling

Microlab 600 in Oil Sampling

Without the Microlab 600

  • Heavy equipment engine wear is determined by metal concentrations in the engine oil
  • Relatively large volumes of oil are diluted with kerosene and run on an ICP
  • Oil samples are difficult to accurately aspirate and stick in the tip after dispense

After Implementation of the Microlab 600

  • Due to large sample volume and high viscosity the standard probe required considerable washing between samples
  • In collaboration with Caterpillar an improved probe was implemented
  • New probe resulted in reduced processing time and improved dilution accuracy

Applications

Oil Sampling Applications

Oil Sampling is necessary for measuring contaminants in crude oil or for preventative maintenance of heavy equipment. Many applications require the dilution of oil samples with a diluent such as kerosene prior to detection of unknowns. The viscosity of oil provides a challenge when preparing samples for analysis, because excess sample left in the measurement device can lead to variability of results. Hamilton has developed a specialized hand probe for the Microlab 600 designed to minimize the variation for Oil Sampling applications.

Large Volume Hand Probe

A 5 mL disposable tip is used to accommodate the large volumes required for oil sampling. The diluent is dispensed through the disposable tip which washes the sample from the tip. The air pump is then used to mix the dilution and expel any remaining dilution from the tip.

Common Applications

Scheduled Oil Sampling: This technique was developed by Caterpillar® to evaluate engine wear. The method involves analyzing the engine oil for contaminants and metal particles. The concentrations of certain particles in the oil are used as early warning signs of engine damage. Once the risk factors are identified, a preventative maintenance plan can be established to avoid a catastrophic failure.

Crude Oil Contaminants: Analysis of contaminants like zinc and vanadium require the dilution of the crude oil. These diluted samples are then analyzed by Atomic Absorption (AA) or Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP).

Application Specific Products