New Portable Particle Counter for Aviation Fuel

Stanhope Seta’s (UK) AvCount is a new laser based analyser for checking and maintaining the quality of aviation fuel throughout distribution to wingside fuelling.

The Avcount particle analyser is a rugged and portable instrument specifically designed for testing the particulate content of aviation fuel in only 3 minutes. Avcount technology features a high precision laser measurement system capable of measuring particle sizes from 4 ìm to 100 ìm. During measurement an integral pump automatically delivers the sample to Avcount’s optical cell and no external sampling pump is required. Typically fuel is drawn from a sample container or directly via the supply line, the instrument has a 10 bar standard pressure rating or will sample online up to 315 bar line pressure using the optional pressure reducing system.

Testing is fully automatic. Once a test is started, the instrument automatically flushes the cell and runs consecutive tests, with results displayed in real time on the LCD display. Once the consecutive test sequence is completed, results are formulated and shown on the instrument display. Data is also presented in ISO classes and automatically averaged. Test results can be saved to memory for trend analysis of samples, printed out on the integral printer or downloaded to a PC.

AvCount’s “Log and Show” software option means that data can be downloaded from the instrument to a PC in different formats, it also allows the instrument to be fully controlled and configured from any Windows interface. The instrument has an automatic calibration facility and self checking ‘diagnostic’ functions. Calibration is easily performed in the field using Avcount reference materials.