Product/Service

Fuel Sniffer

Source: Spectro Inc. Industrial Tribology Systems
The Fuel Sniffer is a portable fuel dilution meter that can be used in the laboratory

Application
The Fuel Sniffer is a portable fuel dilution meter that can be used in the laboratory or in the field to provide rapid and accurate measurements of fuel contamination in engine oils.

Features
o Small size, ideal for field or laboratory use
o Easy to operate, rugged and reliable
o Fast and accurate
o Inexpensive, requires no chemicals or consumables
o Low maintenance, self diagnostic program

Operation
The Fuel Sniffer needs just over 60 seconds to perform each measurement. The next sample can be introduced quickly with the specially designed "clamp and sample" bottle platform,so that 40 or more samples can be measured per hour. The sample bottle platform also keeps the sample bottle below the level of the instrument to prevent potential damage due to liquid sample coming in contact with the sensor.

A single-point calibration, using a 5% fuel/oil standard, is as fast to run as a sample, so the Fuel Sniffer is soon ready to make accurate measurements. Accuracy is comparable to that achieved by gas chromatography, but without all the time, expense and inconvenience. The percentage fuel dilution is displayed on the backlit LCD display and can also be sent to a printer or external computer via built-in RS 232 output.

Principal of Fuel Measurement
Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, the Fuel Sniffer employs a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Vapor Microsensor to measure the concentration of fuel in used lubricating oil samples by sampling the "headspace" in the sample bottle. The instrument assumes (based on Henry's Law) that the fuel vapor concentration is directly related to the fuel present in the oil sample. A pump inside the instrument draws headspace vapors across the SAW sensor which detects adsorbed hydrocarbons by a change in frequency of a surface acoustic wave (SAW).

Specifications
Measurement Range: 0 to 10% fuel dilution
Fuels: Diesel, gasoline or other light hydrocarbons
Measurement Time: 63 seconds
Accuracy: +/- 0.2%
Dimensions: 89 x 203 x 279 mm, (3.5 x 8 x 11")
Weight: 2.7 kg (6 lbs.)
External Power: Specify 110 or 220 V, 50 or 60 Hz
Sensor: Solid state SAW chemical microsensor
Display: LCD, with LED backlight
Data Log Memory: 500 Measurements
Serial Output: RS232, 9600 Baud
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Spectro Inc. Industrial Tribology Systems, 160 Ayer Road, Littleton, MA 01460-1103. Tel: 978-486-0123; Fax: 978-486-0030.