IR spectroscopy is a powerful technique for measuring the concentration of organic molecules. The physical effect of infrared light absorption by molecules contained in the sample is being measured. Each molecule absorbs light of a certain wavelength. The intensity of the absorption is a measure of the concentration of the particular molecule.

During the life cycle of an oil, different decomposition and conversion processes occur at the molecular level. A drop of oil acts as an information memory for both equipment and oil condition, which can be decrypted by IR spectroscopy.

Three interacting mechanisms together form the process of oil aging:

• base oil degradation,
• additive depletion and
• contamination

Base oil degradation predominantly is driven by oxidation processes caused by oxygen and heat. Typical oil condition parameters are: Oxidation, AN, BN, nitration, sulphation, …

Commonly used additives are e. g. antifoaming additives, anti-wear additives and antioxidants. During oil aging the concentration of additives decreases and degradation products emerge. This oil aging mechanism is being indicated by the concentration of molecules with central ions of zinc, molybdenum, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, barium or sodium.

Oil contamination is often caused by foreign substances such as water, glycol, diesel, petrol or other oils.

The oil condition sensor of the IR Analyser detects the three major oil degradation mechanism simultaneously. The standard oil condition parameters, that are commonly obtained by laboratory based analysis, are being calculated from the measured IR spectra.

The sensor is based on a spectral apparatus that is being constructed with no moving parts, which makes it durable and virtually maintenance free. Meaningful oil condition parameters are calculated from the recorded spectra by a previously built oil-specific calibration (chemometric model).

In addition to portable systems for rapid on-site analysis, device models for use in the laboratory are available – as well as rugged field installations for inline operation.

Electronic IR Analyser – Infrared Analyser based on ATR
Including software displaying:

• Water Content
• Soot Content
• Antioxidant Depletion
• Glycol Contamination
• Sulphate
• Oxidation
• Nitration
• Phosphate

Spectral Range

• 2.5 – 5.0 μm (4000 – 2000 cm -1) or
• 5.5 – 11.0 μm (1818 – 909 cm -1)
• Communication Ethernet / USB / Bluetooth
• Protection IP 64
• ATR Crystal ZeSe
• Number of Reflections 9
• Display External software on PC (not supplied)
• Power Akku LiPo – 5 V DC, 4 Watt
• Housing Material Aluminum, anodized
• Dimensions 170 x 76 x 40 [mm]
• Weight 730 g