A viscometer for any oil industry application

Hydramotion’s XL7 on-line viscometer has provided precise, reliable and repeatable viscosity measurements for any liquid in any process for over 20 years. This highly robust and versatile device compensates for flow rate variations and air/gas bubbles, or slugs, has no moving parts to wear down, no onsite calibration and virtually no maintenance needed; Simply take it out the box, bolt it on the pipe or tank – and it’s ready for action. The XL7 measures any viscosity range from 0 up to 1,000,000,000 centipoise (over 10 models) and provides excellent precision and repeatability at temperatures reaching +400°C in all tanks or pipes. There is no theoretical limit on pressure, so units rated at 20,000 psi/1380 bar or more are provided as standard.

The XL7 detects viscosity as low as 0.02 cP; its high sensitivity makes it ideal for multiphase environments, e.g – water/oil/gas, where measured viscosity fluctuations precisely indicate phase changes in the fluid surrounding the sensor. The sensor is positioned in the heart of the flow, with no need for additional, special piping or bypass loops. The high-temperature versions of the XL7 require no special cooling; as measurements are always taken at process temperatures, so discrepancies caused by localised cooling of the fluid are avoided. The separate read-out unit, supplied with the instrument, can be used up to a kilometre away from the transducer and will receive new measurement data every 2 seconds. Outputs include a 4-20mA analogue viscosity signal and more comprehensive RS485 serial data. A Windows-based PC software package for data capture and logging is also available.

The standard probe is an all-welded construction made from 316 grade stainless steel however, many materials such as special alloys are available, and the sensor can be provided with a protective coating. Hydramotion can provide virtually any requisite process fitting and intrinsically safe versions are certified to IEC Ex ia IIC T4 for use in all Hazardous Areas up to and including Zone 0 (equivalent to Class 1 Division 1 Group A). 

The XL7 is a perfect choice for any application at the refinery, plant, oilfield or any other aggressive environments where removal or replacement of the instrument would be expensive, problematic or impractical. Pilot-scale models can also be supplied for experimental rigs or laboratory testing facilities.