Anton Paar introduces PMA 500

Anton Paar introduces the PMA 500, the state-of-the-art Pensky-Martens flash point tester. It is designed to accurately determine the flash point of flammable liquids while lowering the operational costs by its unmatched ceramic coated electric igniter, increasing its lifetime tenfold. With its powerful cooling capabilities too, the PMA 500 increases the sample throughput. It is also intuitive to operate, much like a smart phone. Moreover, the PMA 500 can be used to determine the grade of contamination in various products such as motor oils, diesel fuel, and turbine oils. This innovative tool is essential for industries where maintaining the purity and quality of products is critical, as even minor contaminations can significantly affect their performance and safety.

Addressing contaminations in fuels and oils

During the production, transport, or life cycle of products, they may become contaminated or diluted by chemical reactions or other substances. These impurities, which can include volatile contaminants, water, and engine oil, can significantly alter the flash point of the product. For example, motor oil can be polluted by diesel fuel through oil dilution, diesel fuel can be contaminated by gasoline due to subsequent transportation in pipelines or tank vehicles, and turbine oils can change in quality while in use due to oxidation or thermal decomposition.

Cross-contamination concerns

Cross contamination in underground storage tanks also affects diesel flash points. If a tank previously used for gasoline is converted to diesel without being completely emptied, the diesel may exhibit a lower flash point. Shared vent lines between tanks can allow gasoline vapors to travel and condense, impacting the flash point of diesel. Proper disconnection of these lines is essential to avoid contamination.

Precision measurement with PMA 500

The PMA 500 provides a fast and precise determination of contamination levels. This is achieved through a specifically created "Product" definition, which contains all necessary parameters for measuring the flash point of a given sample. The "Product" definition includes an impurity matrix that lists the flash points corresponding to various impurity concentrations.

To establish this impurity matrix, a dilution series must be prepared. This involves mixing the pure sample with different percentages of the impurity and performing a flash point test for each percentage. The dilutions should cover the expected range of pollutions in the unknown samples. The more data (dilution and matching flash point) entered into the impurity matrix, the more accurate the calculated assumed impurity of a sample will be.

Monitoring and analysis

When conducting a flash point test on a contaminated sample using the PMA 500, the instrument calculates the assumed impurity concentration based on the identified flash point. This allows for a precise assessment of the contamination level, enabling industries to maintain stringent quality control and ensure product safety and performance.

Ensuring safety and quality

Monitoring and maintaining the correct flash point in diesel fuel is crucial for safety and performance. Contaminations from gasoline, whether during transport or storage, can significantly impact flash points, leading to potential hazards. By implementing proper cleaning protocols and monitoring procedures, the risks associated with low flash point diesel can be minimized.

When it comes to grading contamination levels in various products, Anton Paar’s PMA 500 guarantees straightforward and automatic handling, maximum safety and unrivaled ease of use in combination with a self-explanatory user interface.

Welcome to the future of contamination testing.