Need Automatic Atmospheric Distillation to ASTM D86

Orbis bv (Netherlands) now offers the latest development to comply with the ASTM D86 method for automated atmospheric distillation for the distillation range of 0 – 400 °C ASTM-0-450 °C.

After 30 years of research, development and production of innovative laboratory instruments for the petroleum industry Orbis has introduced the PAM v2 unit, superseding the previous instruments for meeting ASTM D86.

PAM v2 saves you time by using Orbis’ automatic ‘inheat’ feature for unknown samples, or heavy oils. The unit will automatically heat the sample to the correct temperature level. This unit includes a unique and revolutionary ‘Volume-Scan System. This automatically measures the true recovered volume at the bottom line of the menisci, thus eliminating errors in volume measurement.

Another innovation for the PAM v2 is Orbis’ new temperature probe. The ‘Auto-Cal Probe’ is detected automatically by PAMv2 and given a unique ID number, so the user can be certain of the measurement taken, without having to carry out any tasks leading to possible errors.

This instrument includes automatic calibration of the volume measurement system before each distillation is carried out, as well as automatic residue determination and automatic final heat adjustment, making the PAMv2 quicker, easier to use and more efficient

The PAM v2 is the only instrument of its kind that can connect a single unit, or multiple distillation slave units, to one master unit with wireless control from an iPAD. The status screen provides clear information about the current status of the sample being analysed and you can even add custom points to your distillation, even when you have completed the distillation. A Final Boiling Point (PBP) graph is also included, as well as a reference material database. Parameters can be altered before, during and after distillation. The ‘report’ screen will provide all necessary information about the results of the distillation, whilst offering a variety of user accounts and access levels and multiple language support.

Peltier elements, installed in the PAMv2, have eliminated the need for a compressor driven cooling device which would need liquid refills. The Peltier method is now widely perceived as the preferred technique for cooling the condenser tube and receiver compartment as this involves less labour and more reliability.

The unit also includes an electronic scanning device, without any moving parts. This is far more user-friendly and reliable than the use of traditional stepper motors.