Shengtai Instruments SH113C Fully Automatic Pour Point Tester

Overview

The Shengtai Instruments SH113C Fully Automatic Pour Point Tester is an engineered solution for precise determination of the pour point of petroleum products—defined as the lowest temperature at which a sample remains fluid under standardized cooling conditions and can flow under gravity when tilted. Based on the principle of controlled stepwise cooling combined with optical detection of sample movement, the SH113C implements ASTM D97 and GB/T 3535 methodologies with high reproducibility and minimal operator intervention. Its dual-stage refrigeration architecture enables stable, linear cooling across a wide operational range from +30 °C to –70 °C, making it suitable for evaluating base oils, diesel fuels, lubricants, and other hydrocarbon-based fluids whose pour points fall above –35 °C. The system employs a dry, well-shaped metal cold bath—eliminating reliance on liquid cryogenic media—and achieves rapid thermal response with low thermal lag, ensuring consistent ramp rates and accurate endpoint identification.

Key Features

• Dual-stage hermetic compressor refrigeration system delivering stable, long-term cooling performance with extended service life and reduced maintenance frequency.
• 7-inch color LCD touchscreen interface with intuitive navigation, real-time temperature curve visualization, and configurable test parameters including cooling rate, hold time, and tilt interval.
• Imported high-sensitivity photoelectric switch detection module for reliable, contactless monitoring of sample flow during tilt cycles—minimizing mechanical wear and false negatives.
• Precision temperature control with accuracy better than ±0.1 °C across the full operating range, validated via traceable internal calibration routines.
• Programmable post-test compressor shutdown (0–50 minutes), preventing unnecessary cycling and extending compressor longevity while conserving energy.
• Integrated thermal printer for immediate hard-copy reporting; results include sample ID, test date/time, final pour point, and compliance flag against GB/T 3535 or ASTM D97 criteria.
• Onboard data storage for up to 199 test records, with optional USB flash drive export in CSV or Excel format for offline analysis and regulatory documentation.
• Expandable internal memory (up to 16 GB) supports future firmware enhancements and extended audit trail retention.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SH113C is designed exclusively for petroleum-derived liquids—including mineral oils, synthetic lubricants, distillate fuels, and residual fuel oils—that conform to the physical requirements outlined in GB/T 3535 and ASTM D97. It accommodates standard 16 mm OD × 125 mm test tubes filled to the designated刻度 line (per specification). The instrument meets essential metrological and procedural requirements for routine QC testing in refinery laboratories, third-party inspection agencies, and R&D facilities operating under ISO/IEC 17025-accredited quality systems. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant out-of-the-box, its optional TCP/IP connectivity and LIMS integration capability enable alignment with GLP/GMP data integrity frameworks when deployed with validated electronic record workflows.

Software & Data Management

Firmware is built on a multi-microcontroller architecture, supporting deterministic real-time control of refrigeration, tilt actuation, and optical sensing. All test sequences are timestamped and logged with metadata (operator ID, ambient conditions if externally sourced, method version). Internal memory maintains full audit trails with immutable record sequencing. Optional network functionality allows remote diagnostics, firmware updates over secure TCP channels, and bidirectional data exchange with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) using standard HL7 or ASTM E1384-compliant protocols. Exported CSV files contain structured columns for traceability: TestID, SampleCode, StartTemp, EndTemp, PourPoint, Pass/Fail, StandardReference, Operator, DateTime. No proprietary software installation is required for data review.

Applications

• Quality assurance of finished lubricants and base stocks in manufacturing plants.
• Batch release testing of diesel and heating oils per regional specifications (e.g., EN 590, ASTM D97).
• Research into wax crystallization behavior and additive efficacy in low-temperature flow improvers.
• Contract testing services requiring documented adherence to national and international standards.
• Calibration verification of manual pour point apparatuses using certified reference materials.

FAQ

What standards does the SH113C fully comply with?
The instrument is designed and verified to meet the procedural and instrumentation requirements of GB/T 3535 and ASTM D97.
Is the cooling bath filled with liquid coolant?
No—it uses a dry, well-shaped metal bath cooled directly by the dual-stage compressor system, eliminating the need for ethanol, acetone, or other external cryogens.
Can test data be exported to a laboratory information management system (LIMS)?
Yes, optional TCP/IP connectivity enables direct integration with LIMS platforms when configured with appropriate middleware and validation protocols.
What is the maximum number of test records stored internally?
The device retains up to 199 complete test records in non-volatile memory, with optional expansion to 16 GB for extended archival.
Does the SH113C support unattended overnight operation?
Yes—its programmable auto-shutdown and thermal stability allow safe, continuous operation without supervision, provided ambient conditions remain within specified limits (15–30 °C, <80% RH).