018 - Viscosity Feature 25/4/07 12:31 Page 1

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Analytical Instrumentation (Viscosity Spotlight)

Advantages of Kinematic Viscosity

Measurement in Used Oil Analysis

C. Patrick Maggi Industry Focus, Cannon Instrument Company

Used oil analysis laboratories have long relied on viscosity measurement as a key parameter in Historic Challenges
determining the condition of in-service engine oil. However, the methods used to determine In the past, operating cost pressures drove many laboratories to seek the quickest test cycle time
viscosity often vary in laboratories due to the use of a wide array of instruments and and the lowest cost of instrument ownership and individual test measurement. The labor
measurement techniques. There is limited standardization between commercial oil analysis intensive manual kinematic viscometer procedure or the high capital expense associated with
laboratories on how this key parameter is measured. automated kinematic viscometers forced labs to look for alternative instruments or even
In contrast, the lube oil manufacturing industry relies on a standardized test methodology modified D445 instruments. Additionally, little guidance was provided by traditional kinematic
for determining the viscosity of engine oil throughout the formulary design, manufacturing and viscosity methods such as D445 on how to properly test in-service lubricants and limited industry
distribution processes. This methodology has predominately been ASTM D 445 - one of the oldest
support for developing improved standardized methods for these fluids.
and most widely used test methods in all of ASTM D02. For more than 70 years, users have relied
on D445 methodology and instrumentation to provide accurate results for their fluids’ viscosity.
New Directions for Used Oil
Fortunately, these issues are being resolved due to the establishment of the ASTM Committee
Advantages
D02.96 to standardize in-service lubricant testing and condition monitoring services. This
Lube manufacturers have discovered that kinematic methods offer several advantages, including
committee’s charter includes, in part, evaluating viscosity testing and making recommendations
precision. Coupled with a high-precision thermostatically controlled bath and a timing device
for revisions to existing test methods to cover the scope of testing in-service lubricants. Some of
with an accuracy better than +/-0.001 second, kinematic viscometers are typically ten times more
precise than other viscosity measuring devices such as dynamic rotational and differential their work has culminated in the development of new kinematic viscosity test methods (Houillon
pressure instruments. viscosity) and the recent decision to add precision for in-service engine lubricants to D 445.
A second advantage is intrinsic to the measurement method. Kinematic viscosity relies on At the June D02 meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Subcommittee 7 Section A held a meeting at
gravity and the density of the fluid to provide the motivational force for movement of the liquid in which new provisions to the D 445 method were discussed and approved, including more
the viscometer. Consequently, kinematic viscometers test the liquid under a low and relatively detailed provisions in Section 6.1.2 for the use of automated instruments.
narrow band of shear rates. Shear rate is an important instrument parameter when comparing Because the current D 445 precision statement was derived using materials with older
results between two or more laboratories using different instruments. Correlation errors can result formulations, the subcommittee is planning a new round robin study of precision and bias for
when comparing measurements of non-Newtonian fluids measured with other techniques where manual and automated instruments measuring newer petroleum-based products including used
shear rates may be orders of magnitude higher than kinematic viscometers and perhaps even engine oils.
variable across the instrument’s measuring range. While lubricant base oils are typically regarded as
being Newtonian fluids, when formulated into today’s engine oils with additives and VI improvers,
they can become non-Newtonian fluids. In-service oils with soot and other contaminates provide Editor’s Note:
less predictable viscosities under variable or undefined shear rates. C. Patrick Maggi is president of Cannon Instrument Company and Chairman of ASTM
Kinematic methods also offer an economic advantage. Within the last several years, there have D02 Subcommittee 7 Section A. If you are interested in learning more about the
been new advancements in the manufacture of automated kinematic viscometers that meet D445 ongoing work with D445 or are interested in participating, please contact Pat at
test requirements. These new instruments have a lower cost than earlier models, require less bench [email protected].
space and can provide measurement cycle times of three to five minutes. These attributes lead to a First appeared in - PRACTICING OIL ANALYSIS: September-October 2006
reduced cost per test while providing higher accuracy and better correlation of a standardized test.

The Smart Solution to a New Semi-Automatic New Model Q-Quick

Wide Range of Viscosity Viscometer Action Viscometer Lab
Measurement Applications Spectro Incorporated (USA) has introduced the new Stand Makes Taking
Spectro-Visc Viscometer, a fast, accurate and cost effective
Vectron Inc. (USA) has introduced the new instrument for the determination of kinematic viscosity in used Measurements Easier
ViSmart™ solid-state viscometer designed to oils and other fluids. The Spectro-Visc is ideal for used oil
provide instantaneous sample and/or con- analysis laboratories that test a wide range of lubricant
Than Ever
tinuous, real-time, in-process viscosity viscosities; it also conforms to the requirements of ASTM D
measurements for process control in a Brookfield Engineering (USA)
445, D 7279, IP 71 and ISO 3104.
robust cost-effective package weighing just introduces the new Quick
The Spectro-Visc is a self-contained viscometer system that
4 oz. The ViSmart™, with integrated Action Lab Stand for laboratory
consists of a thermostatic bath with circular heater and control
temperature measurement capability uses viscometers. This newly designed
column. The bath contains 4 viscometer tubes together with
robust and reliable semiconductor spring loaded lab stand makes
optical sensors to detect the flow of oil through the tubes. The
technology and has no moving parts packaged in a very portable taking measurements easier
measuring tubes operate independently of each other and the
size. It is unaffected by vibration or flow conditions and does not than ever. The Model Q is one
control column has an LCD display and an array of LED’s that
need field calibration. The ViSmart™ integrates to the eCup™ more example of how
provide the user information about the system’s status. An
handheld reader or the ViscNet™ control hub where on board- Brookfield is working to
optional external computer is also available when more
electronics then transmit viscosity and temperature readings in simplify your testing process!
extensive data handling is required.
real-time using standard communications protocols to provide a With the push of a button,
According to Daniel Anderson, Vice President and Product
continuous audit trail to help control operating costs and maintain the viscometer glides up and
Manager, the Spectro-Visc has features that make it an ideal
quality standards. The ViSmart™ at a size of 1.3in x 1.1in x 0.4in is down, allowing for quick
viscometer for the oil analysis laboratory. It is extremely easy to
hermetically sealed for complete immersion in fluid stream for positioning and faster
replace viscometer tubes without the need to drain the bath or
process control or can be used in lab environments. The ViSmart™ measurements.
to re-align the optical sensors. The entire process takes
measures viscosity of fluid from 10 to 10,000 centipoise and rated The Model Q is ideal for lab
approximately 3 to 5 minutes; an important consideration in
for temperatures up to 135?C in the standard package, with environments with multiple
laboratories where sample throughput is important and highly
custom options and configurations available for specific industry operators and those with frequent testing
trained technicians are not always available to perform
applications and process environments. The ViSmart™ is designed needs. It is available as an option on new Brookfield
maintenance. The Spectro-Visc can also carry out analyses
for challenging manufacturing environments to provide viscometers or as a retrofit for existing instruments.
without the need of an external computer, and advantage in
temperature and viscosity measurement ranging from oil and Model Q is designed for use with the Brookfield DV-I
most laboratories that already have LIMS (Laboratory
lubricants to coatings and wide variety of chemicals and Prime or DV-I+, DV-II+, DV-E and Dial Reading
Information Management System) where an additional
processing fluids. Viscometers.
computer is not required and just takes up more space.

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