Cambridge Viscosity Blog

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.

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boston—One of the largest US refineries has installed Cambridge Viscosity process viscometers at their diesel refinery in Texas. The company is using three VISCOpro 2000 viscometers, combined with 372 sensors, to monitor the quality of the viscosity of a diesel formulation that includes sulfur. The refinery has plans to use the viscosity system for full control of the process in the near future.

The viscometers are installed in one-quarter inch bypass lines, and set up for the final production stage to ensure quality control of their fuel-efficient diesel mixture. The VISCOpro 2000 allows for automated, continuous monitoring, as well as hands-on control, including the ability to change settings, measure different attributes, and capture and analyze real-time data.  The viscometer can be programmed for up to 40 different fluid settings—enabling rapid changeovers in production processes—and features control set points and alarms (six different settings), using an easy menu-driven interface.

“The refiner chose the VISCOpro 2000 due to the sensor’s ability to precisely measure and control viscosity,” says CVI Senior Applications Engineer Cole Nee “The viscometer’s rugged construction is vibration resistant, and is designed to withstand the harsh conditions and demands of the refinery environment. Our viscometers are easy to operate and low-maintenance.”

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.  Certifications include ATEX Class 1, Div. 1, CE, FM and NEMA.  CSA certification is also available upon request.

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.