SubscribeTwo new products from Parker Hannifin, the world’s largest manufacturer of motion and control technology, are removing engineers’ reliance on external laboratory services for accurate solid particle contamination analysis of liquids.
The innovative Icount BS conveniently performs tests on liquids presented in industry standard bottles, while the Icount PD on-line analyser offers simple integration with existing plant via M16 test points.
Competitively priced, the new instruments offer a simple method of prolonging the life of lubricants and similar fluids through cleanliness monitoring, and of ensuring that quality standards are maintained in process liquid.
Both the Icount BS and Icount BD use innovative laser particle detection technology to produce fast, accurate, repeatable and reproducible results, with both offering calibration by recognised on-line methods supported by international standards organisation procedures, such as ISO 11171/11943, ISO4402, NAS1638 and AS4059. The units also feature robust, compact construction, which makes them ideal for use in demanding industrial environments.
Parker's Icount BS bottle sampler offers eight variable channel size analyses, covering particle sizes from 4 to 70 micron. Results are shown on a large backlit colour touch-screen, which is also used to control the instrument. In addition, the results can be printed using the built-in thermal printer, and stored to a USB memory stick, making it easy to transfer them to a PC or other external device.
The Icount BS features a pressurised bottle chamber to prevent ingress of contaminants from the surrounding air, and has a novel sample tube cleaning sleeve, which minimises the risk of cross contamination from bottle to bottle. Test time options range from 15 seconds upwards and, with its compact construction and rechargeable battery pack option, the Icount BS is conveniently portable.
Making extensive use of environmentally friendly glass-filled nylon materials and carrying an IP66 ingress protection rating, the Icount PD on-line particle detector provides a wide range of output options, which make it easy to interface with plant automation and process control systems. These options include LAN, RS232 and CANBUS connectivity, 4-20mA and 0-5V analogue outputs, and relay contacts which can switch 5A at up to 24V dc.
The instrument includes LED indicators to show ISO/NAS thresholds, and can optionally be fitted with a further LED for moisture detection. The Icount PD has a minimum sample time of 3 seconds; it can be used at flow rates from 10 to 160 ml/min and at line pressures from 2 to 420 bar.
