Metrohm provides a turnkey solution for quality control of diesel using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). This solution is based on a pre-calibration model and a dedicated spectral database, and allows diesel manufacturers to lower the cost of their daily routine analysis while enhancing their product quality.
Diesel is a product that is extensively used in daily life. Towards the end of the production process, multiple quality parameters need to be determined before it can be sold on the market. These parameters include Cetane Number (CN or CETN), Cetane Index (CI or CETI), sulfur content, flash point, density, Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) or boiling points (T95). These parameters are still frequently determined in the laboratory by time intensive physical and chemical analysis that involves laborious sample preparation and sometimes expensive equipment.
On the other hand, NIRS requires neither chemicals or sample preparation and provides results in less than a minute. It can even be used by non-chemists. In addition, with just a single measurement, multiple physical and chemical parameters can be determined at the same time.
Thanks to these combined benefits, the NIRS technology has become the ideal solution for many daily QA/QC measurements or ongoing process analysis in the petrochemical industry.
Easy-to-Use
- No expertise required
- Measure at the push of a button
- Turnkey solution
Fast
- No sample preparation
- Analysis results within one minute
- More than 15 minutes time saving compared to reference methods
Cost minimizing
- Instant results from first day
- No reagents, no solvents
- No waste disposal
Clean
- Minimum impact on health and environment
- Chemical-free method, non-destructive
Turnkey Solution for Diesel Analysis
The Metrohm solution for diesel analysis is available with ready-to-use pre-calibration models for the determination of Cetane Number, Cetane Index, sulfur content, flash point, density, Cold Filter Plugging Point or boiling points. Due to these pre-calibrations, it is possible to use the Metrohm solution as a starter model without any method development.
Reliable Results from Day One
The robust pre-calibration model enables accurate and precise determination of several chemical and physical quality parameters of diesel with exceptional reproducibility. The performance of the pre-calibration can be further enhanced by selecting a smaller calibration range or by augmenting it with customer specific samples.
| Parameter |
Range |
SECV |
R2 |
| Density in g/cm3 |
0.82–0.85 |
0.0018 |
0.964 |
| Cetane index |
46–77 |
0.62 |
0.987 |
| Cetane number |
45–60 |
0.68 |
0.942 |
| CFPP in °C |
-22–(+15) |
2.4 |
0.968 |
| T95 in °C |
325–355 |
4.4 |
0.691 |
| Flash Point in °C |
56–120 |
2.7 |
0.970 |
| Viscosity in cSt |
2–4 |
0.11 |
0.879 |
Straightforward and Intuitive Operation
Vision Air software controls the Metrohm instruments for Vis-NIR. The software offers two environments that are customized to users’ requirements: Vision Air Manager enables authorized and experienced users to control data and carry out instrument configurations, while Vision Air routine facilitates secure daily operation by routine users. For routine quality control of gasoline, measurements can be carried out with two simple clicks.
Customized Service and Support
Metrohm supports customers by updating the default pre calibration on demand with their specific samples. This in turn enhances the performance of the method and/or extends it to novel applications. Such updates are effortlessly carried out in the Vision Air Manager Network mode. If Vision Air Network is used, then all instruments within a global customer network can be synchronized simply at the push of button. Customer specific calibrations can be effortlessly developed to determine more quality parameters of diesel, for instance pour point, ethanol content, API gravity, water content and others.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Metrohm AG.
For more information on this source, please visit Metrohm AG.