K77000/K77001 Automated Cloud and Pour Point Analyser

The Automatic Cloud and Pour Point Analyser automatically measures cloud point by Optical Detection and pour point with the Automatic Tilt Method.

The instrument has separate wireless heads for pour point and cloud point. Once the sample tube is placed inside the instrument, the head can easily be placed and secured onto the instrument which then recognises the head and automatically selects the appropriate method.

As liquid petroleum products cool, some hydrocarbons will begin to precipitate and crystallize into a solid. These crystals are referred to as “wax crystals.

Cloud Point is the temperature of a liquid sample when the smallest observable cluster of hydrocarbon crystals first occurs upon cooling. Once the optical system detects the presence of this solid wax, the temperature within 0.1°C is recorded. ASTM D5771 is the test method that describes the detection of cloud point. This test method covers temperatures from -60 °C to + 49 °C with a temperature resolution of 0.1 °C.

Pour Point is the lowest temperature at which movement of the test specimen is observed when tilted. For this method, the test specimen is examined at 1°C or 3°C intervals using a light emitter and light receiver to detect any movement. The pour point is measured using the automatic tilt method which is in accordance with ASTM D5950. This test method is designed to cover the range of temperatures from −66°C to +51°C

Both Cloud and Pour Point are an index of the lowest temperature of a petroleum product or a biodiesel fuel’s use for certain applications. Flow characteristics, such as pour point, can be critical for the operation of lubricating oil and fuel systems, petroleum blending and pipeline operations.