InfraCal Soot Meter

The InfraCal Soot Meter, Model HATR-CP provides an easy-to-use ASTM approved test method for on-site measurement of the amount of suspended carbon (soot) in diesel engine lubricating oils.  It is factory calibrated to measure levels as high as 12% to 15% in less than 30 seconds without sample preparation or dilution.  This fixed filter analyzer utilizes infrared absorption spectroscopy for evaluating and screening used lubricants.  Measurement results are displayed directly as % soot, relative to a standard TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) reference method.  It is ideal for oil and engine testing laboratories, as well as by truck, bus or off-highway fleets, onboard ships, and power generation stations.

• Based on ASTM Method D7686-2011
• Direct Reading - one-step, pushbutton infrared measurement of soot levels up to 15%
• No Dilution or Sample Preparation
• Rapid analysis - less than 30 seconds per sample
• Compact - portable and lightweight (under 5 lbs)
• Rugged - insensitive to vibration or changes in temperature and humidity
• Cost Effective - eliminates need for more expensive and complex instruments
• Save Money - change oil only when necessary

Traditional FT-IR (as well as TGA) instrumentation applied to used oil analysis requires considerable operator training and attention.  It is also mechanically and operationally too complex for on-site field use. The InfraCal Soot Meter overcomes all of these difficulties and provides on-site, rapid soot analysis at the push of a button -- with minimal operator training. Samples may be applied from the end of a dip-stick or from a simple eye-dropper directly onto the scratch-resistant cubic zirconia attenuated total reflectance (ATR) sampling  surface of the analyzer. Cleaning is as simple as wiping with a cloth or paper towel - no cells to clean and solvents requiring special ventilation or expensive waste disposal.

The InfraCal Soot Meter is portable, weighs less than 5 pounds, and is roughly a 6 inch cube in size. Its rugged construction which is sealed against external contamination, plus no moving parts, makes the InfraCal Soot Meter the perfect instrument for field-based operation. The use of a 12 volt power supply enables the InfraCal Soot Meter to be used literally anywhere - in the testing laboratory or right alongside the engine. It is factory calibrated to 10% soot levels that will enable accurate measurements up to 12% - 15%.

Rapid Oil Condition Assessment

Soot, which occurs naturally in diesel oils, is an important oil and engine condition indicator. Extended drain times, combined with stringent emission requirements, make it more important than ever to routinely check soot levels. If monitored regularly, its rate of formation can be used to indicate engine performance problems, such as injector wear, clogged air filters or other operational abnormalities. Also, should the soot content become too high, the lubrication properties of the oil will deteriorate and engine component wear can occur, as well as the increased risk of filter failure and oilway blockage. Any of these situations can lead to catastrophic engine failure. Regular monitoring and trending of oil condition with the InfraCal Soot Meter helps avoid breakdowns and should be an integral part of any maintenance program. It will help save you time, money, and engines.

• Oil testing labs - achieve comparable results to TGA or FT-IR in a fraction of the time
• Engine test labs - obtain on-the-spot assessment of the engine test progress
• Fleet maintenance shops - test engine oil condition when checking the oil level and know exactly when to schedule oil changes
• Construction or mining sites - stay operational with oil condition checks
• On-board ship - no need to return to port to monitor oil condition
• Power generation stations - monitor the quality of the lubricating oil without waiting for off-site lab results