Electricity + Control September 2019

round up PLANT MAINTENANCE, TEST + MEASUREMENT

Spectrometer for fuel and lube oil analysis

for high-throughput operations. In most cases, no user calibrations nor decisions are required. The spectrometer is designed to meet all relevant refining and petrochemical analysis standards. Its sulphur content testing of fuel oils complies with test methods in terms of ISO 13032, ASTM D7220, ASTM D4294, ISO 20847, and ISO 8754. It enables a precise analysis of lube oil in terms of ASTM D7751. SPECTROCUBE’s ease of use provides for a fast, smooth workflow. Samples are analysed in three easy stepswith the intuitive software presenting the relevant information on a single screen. Its compact footprint fits tight benchtop spaces yet accommodates a wide range of tiny to large sample sizes. Designed for future flexibility, SPECTROCUBE meets the full spectrum of relevant applications. With the latest high-resolution silicon drift detector (SDD) and an ultra-high count rate, it handles trace elements with ease.The analyser offers one of the industry’s broadest elemental selections, optimised for testing of element concentrations in the range from sodium (Na) to uranium (U). The lube oil test method, for instance, covers 24 elements. Constructed with user-tested, top-grade components for continuous use in high-throughput quality control operations, SPECTROCUBE ED-XRF delivers rugged reliability paired with low operating and maintenance costs over a long service life. Enquiries: Spectro Analytical Instruments.

SPECTRO Analytical Instruments has introduced the SPECTROCUBE ED-XRF benchtop spectrometer for easy, accurate and reliable analysis of fuel and lube oil – at twice the speed of other analysers in its class. Refineries, lubrication oil blending plants, independent testing laboratories and regulatory agencies use elemental analysis in a variety of petroleum refining and petrochemical applications. These range from verifying that gas, diesel, or other fuels meet specified limits for sulphur (S) content, to analysing additive elements in fresh lubrication oil and additive and trace element concentrations in used oils, to testing crude oils for concentrations of sulphur (S), nickel (Ni), vanadium (V) and iron (Fe). The new SPECTROCUBE ED-XRF incorporates state-of-the-art non-destructive ED-XRF detector technology, including exceptionally high-resolution and count rate – and offers a fast turnaround time from sample taking to analysis results. SPECTROCUBE provides high precision for a wide range of concentration levels. Matching the best detection limits of other

spectrometers, it delivers results twice as fast. In addition, when required, it can achieve detection limits that other analysers simply cannot and provide the results fast. SPECTROCUBE is ideal

Email: spectro.info@ametek.com or visit: www.spectro.com/spectrocube

The new SPECTROCUBE ED-XRF spectrometer provides easy, accurate and reliable analysis, fast.

Polymer or crystal IR windows moved fromone location toanother.Ongoing mechanical vibration has also been known to cause crystal windows to fail. In addition, over time, water and airborne contaminant absorption affects crystal transmission rates in the infrared spectrum. When the 15 kV circuit breaker based power sleds arrived on site, a significant number of the OEM installed crystal windows were broken. For the end customer, this was a warranty issue and the power sled manufacturer was field replacing a high number of crystals. Unfortunately for the power sled manufacturer, the crystal windows were only warranted for ‘manufacturing defects’ and the warranty claim on the IR window manufacturer was denied. The lead engineer from the power sled manufacturer considered various options. After researching and learning more on IR windows, the power sled manufacturer was able to convince its mining customer to allow it to convert to more robust CAP- ENV polymer reinforced IR windows from

IRISS. This polymer reinforced IR window offers a number of benefits: - A NEMA 6/IP67 protection rating - Construction from stainless steel for harsh mining environments - Fixed and stable transmission for consistent infrared transmission rates over the life of the window - Imperviousness to shock and vibration - An unconditional lifetime warranty on the IR window for the life of the electrical equipment. The installation service was completed outside of manufacturing hours during a Christmas shutdown. Considering the first rule of business as the prevention of loss rather than the maximisation of profit, the client now has implemented a solution that allows personnel to perform routine inspections on the critical electrical infrastructure safely and efficiently. Enquiries: R&C Instrumentation. Tel: +27 (0)11 608 1551, or email: info@randci.co.za

Many in industry believe that crystal IR windows are the best choice for inspection windows. However, the case of a power sled manufacturer supplying a mining company in Canada (among others) indicates otherwise. After a history of replacing a high number of calcium fluoride (CaF2) crystal infrared windows for the mining company, the power sled manufacturer, located inVirginia, was fed up. The deduction was that the crystal IR windows were being damaged during transport from the factory to the customer site. The task of finding a more robust solution fell to the lead engineer in charge of the power sled design. Following investigations it was determined that the shock and vibration during transport to the mining site was causing the high rate of failures in the crystal IR windows. Crystal windows are known to fail in harsh environments due to sudden shock, such as an enclosure door being slammed shut or when mobile equipment is

18 Electricity + Control

SEPTEMBER 2019