Lube Oil Analysis with the Benchtop WDXRF Spectrometer

Lubricating oils are given specific functional properties by mixing additives with base oil. In order to ensure consistent and desirable performance, the concentrations of the additives during the lubricant manufacturing process must be precisely controlled.

Sulphur compounds in petroleum can produce harmful effects such as air pollution, metal corrosion and catalyst degradation. Sulphur concentration of crude oil and high-sulphur fuels is monitored or controlled in refinery and production processes in the petroleum industry.

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry has become increasingly popular for quantitative elemental analysis of base oils as well as additives and lubricant products thanks to its high precision and simple sample preparation.
Unlike many traditional techniques, XRF does not require chemical decomposition, digestion or serial dilution.

ASTM D6443-04 specifies the use of the wavelength-dispersive (WD) XRF technique because it offers sufficiently high precision, resolution and light-element sensitivity to meet the industry’s needs. Traditionally, WDXRF spectrometers have been large, floor-standing models with substantial installation conditions and high cost of component replacement. In its search for greater cost-efficiency however, the lubricant industry is turning to tools that not only do the job, but are also easier and less expensive to acquire, install and maintain

Lubricating oils and additives can now be routinely analysed with excellent accuracy, sensitivity and repeatability using the Rigaku (USA) Supermini200 benchtop WDXRF spectrometer with minimal site requirements.

The Supermini200 is the world’s only high powered (200 W) X-ray tube benchtop WDXRF spectrometer and the latest in a series of revolutionary compact WDXRF systems from Rigaku. It is a sequential WDXRF spectrometer designed specifically to deliver excellent performance while eliminating typical installation conditions such as cooling water, special power supply, and large floor space while reducing system maintenance and lowering the cost of ownership.

Satisfying both analytical and efficiency demands, the Rigaku Supermini200 sequential WDXRF system meets the specifications of ASTM D6443-04, as well as those of ASTM D4927-05, which applies to higher concentrations of additive elements.