Parker Kittiwake, a global manufacturer of condition monitoring technologies, announced the launch of its new analyzer, which allows the simultaneous testing of base number (BN), total acid number (TAN), insolubles, soot loading, viscosity, FAME and water content of oil samples on board a ship, allowing all parameters to be measured using a single sample in one test kit.
Frequent testing is essential to understanding the operating conditions in the system, allowing engineers to prevent unnecessary damage to critical and expensive engine components, the company explains thereby it offers this solution in an effort to combine all of required tests and measure the parameters simultaneously using a single, onboard test kit.
“Proactive condition monitoring should be as simple and cost effective to undertake as possible. Providing engineers with the tools they need, without increasing the need for extensive training or complex equipment, is the best way to ensure they have the information required to effectively manage the operational efficiency of the vessel,” said Larry Rumbol, Marine Condition Monitoring Manager.
According to the company, the analyzer uses infrared spectroscopy to determine the presence of damaging elements such as solid particles or water in a representative sample of oil, requiring no extensive sample preparation and not utilising any wet chemistry, negating the hazards associated with chemical reagents, as well as the cost of transporting them around the world throughout the lifetime of the test kit.
The tool processes the raw data in a simple way helping the crew to maximise the operational efficiencies of their vessels whilst also preventing unplanned downtime and reducing costs, Mr. Rumbol added.
