Cambridge Viscosity Blog

There are many different viscometer technologies and all have their merits, depending on the application. 

Before you go and talk to any manufacturers, it is important that you know your application specifications and you need to know what to ask so you don’t end up with an expensive paperweight. This guide will help you gather your information upfront so when you do reach out, we can assist you quickly and effectively.

Customer service and support is really important to us at Cambridge Viscosity. It’s important that our customers get the best installation, startup, calibration, troubleshooting, and training we can offer. We feel like we do customer service really well, and one of the reasons for that is Kevin John.

This question gets asked frequently due to concerns about validating data and measurement using inline or laboratory viscometers.  The answer ultimately depends on how critical the measurement is and the type of viscometer used in your application.

A leading worldwide maker of premium base oil for lubricants, based in the western United States, has standardized on Cambridge Viscosity

Comparing on-line viscosity measurements to the lab is challenging. Process conditions can change, laboratory samples can off-gas, fluids may be non-Newtonian and measure

Boston—Cambridge Viscosity’s in-line viscometer, VISCOpro 2000, is being used by Zhejiang Metong Machinery Company, a leading producer of road construction and maintenance equipment.

The company’s primary products include truck-mounted asphalt systems sold worldwide, asphalt melting equipment and the largest emulsified asphalt plant in China.

Metong’s MT-AR50 Portable Reaction Tank is specially designed for reaction, storage and transportation of rubberized asphalt. Used to pave asphalt roads, the waste tire rubber powder and rubberized asphalt mixture improves pavement function, extends service life and reduces the environmental pressure caused by waste tires. Rubberized asphalt meets the national policy of building a conservation-minded society and developing a cyclic economy.

Metong uses Cambridge’s in-line viscometers to monitor and control asphalt viscosity for their truck-mounted systems.  Viscosity is key in monitoring the quality of the rubberized asphalt. In the tank, the asphalt’s viscosity changes according to temperature and the length of time it is contained.  The sensors help to maintain constant viscosity by adapting the temperature as needed to obtain a more consistent spray pattern, allowing an even coating to be sprayed onto the road for a higher quality result.

“Viscosity is one of the most important parameters for providing consistent spray patterns for our asphalt application,” explains Technical Engineer Mr. Yang.  “We considered several other technologies such as rotational and vibrational viscometers but found the Cambridge viscometer to be the best choice for us due to its compact size, simple design and rugged construction,” says Technical Director Mr. Feng.

About Cambridge Viscosity
Cambridge Viscosity is the leading supplier of automated viscometers used by oil exploration and refining, coating, chemical and life science companies to optimize product and process performance. Cambridge Viscosity's sensors and viscometer systems conform to ASTM, DIN, JIS and ISO standards, with a range of models designed to meet specific industry and application needs.

Type certifications include ATEX, CE and FM. CSA certification is available upon request. Cambridge's global reach provides application engineering support and service wherever and whenever needed.

Boston—Cambridge Viscosity has developed a rugged, RTJ-flanged in-line process viscometer for a leading global oil company’s Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) application in the North Sea. Cambridge designed the SPL-393 viscometer for use offshore, where safety and reliability are not just a priority but also a necessity.  The new viscometer meets all electrical, plumbing material, pressure and temperature requirements for use on a platform where environmental conditions can reach extremes.

The sensor connects into a pipeline using a standard ANSI class 900/1500 2" RTJ round flange. The rugged 316SS construction can withstand up to 2200 PSI and 190 degrees C, and has long penetration for large diameter pipes.  The SPL 393 satisfies ASME PTC 19.3 Thermowells requirements. The new sensor is designed for highly accurate, repeatable viscosity readings and clean-in-place simplicity. Coupled with Cambridge's standard VISCOPro 2000 or ViscoPro 2100 electronics, the sensor has sophisticated multi-shear compatibilities.

Cambridge Director of Engineering Dan Airey says, "We are very excited to introduce this product designed to meet the specific needs of the petroleum industry. The initial application of the SPL-393 sensor in EOR oil production improves production efficiency while withstanding harsh offshore drilling conditions. Our customer is achieving repeatable, reliable viscosity measurements that contribute to better control of EOR operations.”

About Cambridge Viscosity
Cambridge Viscosity, a leader in small sample viscometer systems for laboratory and process environments, designs automated viscometers used worldwide in petroleum, exploration and refining applications to ensure accurate viscosity in both lab and operations. Cambridge’s worldwide reach is important for providing application engineering support and service wherever and whenever needed.

Cambridge Viscosity’s sensors and viscometer systems conform to ASTM, DIN, JIS and ISO standards, with a range of models designed to meet specific industry and application needs.
To learn more visit www.cambridgeviscosity.com.

Uniform film thickness is essential for effective optical and medical coatings. If the film thickness on a medical device is not correct, the product will not interact properly with the body. If an optical film is too thin, its product efficacy is impaired; if too heavy, visual performance is frequently compromised. Viscosity is critical for maintaining desired film thickness. As the preferred viscometer supplier for many medical and optical coatings worldwide, Cambridge Viscosity has identified seven critical factors for optimal performance.

Boston—Machinery failures, downtime and maintenance labor costs can kill a refiner’s bottom line profits.  A major US oil company with refinery installations in North and South America has installed several Cambridge Viscosity VISCOpro viscometers to monitor oil viscosity, providing engineers with real-time information on oil quality. The viscometers utilize Cambridge’s 392 process sensors and are Class 1 Div 1 Group B, C, and D certified. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boston—Danfoss Compressors is using a Cambridge Viscosity small sample viscometer to test refrigerant and oil mixtures at their Tianjin, China factory.

The viscometer includes the Cambridge VISCOpro2000 electronics and SPL 571 lube oil viscometer sensor with multiple piston ranges to test compressor performance using new combinations of lube oils and refrigerants. The lower the viscosity of this mixture, the more efficient the compressor is. However, if viscosity is too low, the compressor can wear out prematurely. By achieving the optimal balance of efficiency and lubricity, the company can improve compressor performance while using more environmentally friendly refrigerants.

Danfoss engineers cite the viscometers’ ease-of-use, robust functionality and high degree of accuracy among the chief reasons for their use. The VISCOpro2000 enables users to monitor critical fluid processes and capture real-time data. The addition of the 571 sensor—used extensively for compressor, used oil analysis, on-engine and hydraulic fluid applications—provides for installations where form factor and small sample volume are important. “Danfoss was restricted in the amount of area they had, and Cambridge’s miniature lube oil viscometer is the perfect choice when limited to tight spaces,” explains Cambridge Viscosity China Agent Miker Wang of Suzhou TAIEN.
Cambridge’s viscosity management technology is based upon a simple and reliable electromagnetic concept. Two coils move the piston back and forth magnetically at a constant force. Proprietary circuitry analyzes the piston’s two-way travel time to measure absolute viscosity. A built-in temperature detector (RTD) senses the actual temperature in the sampling chamber. Constant in and out motion keeps samples fresh, mechanically scrubs the sampling area and provides excellent viscosity tracking.

About Cambridge Viscosity
Cambridge Viscosity, a leader in small sample viscometer systems for laboratory and process environments, designs automated viscometers used worldwide in petroleum, exploration and refining applications to ensure accurate viscosity in both lab and operations. Cambridge’s worldwide reach is important for providing application engineering support and service wherever and whenever needed.

Cambridge Viscosity’s sensors and viscometer systems conform to ASTM, DIN, JIS and ISO standards, with a range of models designed to meet specific industry and application needs.

Boston—Cambridge Viscosity’s flanged viscometer, or SPL/C 392 sensor, has been accepted for registration in the Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) Design Registration Program. This designation certifies that the sensor design complies with the Safety Codes Act.

“Being accepted into ABSA’s program certifies that the SPL/C 392 sensor can be used in high pressureenvironments up to 1400 PSI,” says Cambridge Director of Engineering Daniel Airey. “This sensor is particularly effective for marine fuel, oil pipelines and refineries.”

The SPL/C 392 in-line viscometer provides continuous, real-time measurement of temperature and viscosity.  The sensor’s patented technology is based upon a simple, reliable electromagnetic concept. Two coils pull a piston back and forth within a constantly refreshed sample of process fluid. Proprietary circuitry analyzes the piston’s travel time to measure absolute viscosity. A built-in resistance temperature detector (RTD) senses the actual temperature in the measurement chamber.

Measurements can be made in any of the 13 different 20:1 viscosity ranges, covering a span of 0.2 to 20,000 cP. The sensor is designed with a four-bolt stainless steel SAE Code 61 flange and is easily installed in pipelines ranging from 2” and larger. The sensor’s self-cleaning feature provides for low-maintenance and ease-of-use across applications.

About Cambridge Viscosity

Cambridge Viscosity is the leading supplier of automated viscometers used by oil exploration and refining, coating, chemical and life science companies to optimize product and process performance. Cambridge Viscosity's sensors and viscometer systems conform to ASTM, DIN, JIS and ISO standards, with a range of models designed to meet specific industry and application needs.

Type certifications include ATEX, CE and FM. CSA certification is available upon request. Cambridge's global reach provides application engineering support and service wherever and whenever needed. To learn more visit www.cambridgeviscosity.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Digital Viscometer Key to Corrosion Resistance and  Building Safety

Coating Viscosity Measurement Improves Molding Compound Process

Boston—Cambridge Viscosity’s advanced sensor technology is helping Cytec Engineered Materials streamline production of composite materials used in aerospace, high-performance industrial and
other extreme-demand environments.

Cytec supplies composite materials such as prepregs and molding compounds to companies that mold parts. The ratio of resin-to-fiber is very important, with different applications requiring different ratios. Cambridge’s ViscoPro 2000 viscometers are used to control the viscosity of a resin solution that binds the carbon fiber. Strings of carbon fiber are run through a resin bath where they are coated, and the resin acts as a binder for the carbon fiber so that it can be molded into a part.

“The implementation of the viscometer system has enabled us to continually monitor and control the resin, which allows us to greatly reduce variation within the product,” says Cytec Engineer Troy Farry. Prior to using the viscometers, technicians were required to take measurements at certain intervals in order to determine if adjustments to the resin characteristics were necessary.

This method created a delay in reaction time, resulting in a great deal of variation that made it harder to remain within customer requirements. According to Farry, “not only have the viscometers allowed for a more consistent product, they have reduced the error and scrap rate of our material. By streamlining the process, our technicians can now focus on other areas of development, instead of having to manually monitor the process.”

About Cambridge Viscosity

Cambridge Viscosity is the leading supplier of automated viscometers used by oil exploration and refining, coating, chemical and life science companies to optimize product and process performance. Cambridge Viscosity's sensors and viscometer systems conform to ASTM, DIN, JIS and ISO standards, with a range of models designed to meet specific industry and application needs.

Type certifications include ATEX, CE and FM. CSA certification is available upon request. Cambridge's global reach provides application engineering support and service wherever and whenever needed. To learn more visit www.cambridgeviscosity.com.