PULUODY PLD-510C Fully Automatic Pour Point Analyzer

Overview

The PULUODY PLD-510C Fully Automatic Pour Point Analyzer is an ASTM D97-22 and GB/T 510–2010 / GB/T 3535–2018 compliant instrument engineered for precise, repeatable determination of the pour point of petroleum products—including crude oil, fuel oils, lubricants, and dark-colored distillates. Based on the standardized cooling-and-tilt methodology, the analyzer measures the lowest temperature at which a sample remains mobile under specified conditions: after controlled cooling, the test tube is incrementally tilted at user-defined intervals (1–10 °C), and cessation of flow—detected via high-sensitivity optical liquid-level monitoring—is recorded as the pour point. Unlike manual or semi-automated systems, the PLD-510C eliminates operator subjectivity and mechanical disturbance through its vibration-isolated split-body architecture and top-mounted photoelectric detection system, ensuring compliance with GLP and laboratory quality assurance protocols.

Key Features

• Vibration-dampened split-chassis design isolates the measurement module from compressor-induced mechanical noise, preventing disruption of wax crystal formation and improving result reproducibility.
• Top-mounted photoelectric liquid-level sensor detects sub-millimeter meniscus displacement during tilt cycles, enabling reliable identification of flow arrest without visual inspection or manual intervention.
• Micro-tilt actuation mechanism rotates the sample tube in precise angular increments; upon real-time detection of liquid movement (or lack thereof), tilt halts immediately and the tube returns to vertical orientation—eliminating unnecessary thermal cycling and preserving sample integrity.
• Intelligent ΔT control algorithm dynamically regulates coolant temperature relative to sample temperature, maintaining uniform, ISO/IEC 17025-aligned cooling rates across the full test range (60 °C to −38 °C).
• Integrated micro-heater enables rapid sample recovery between tests without overheating the refrigeration circuit, reducing turnaround time and enhancing throughput for multi-sample batch analysis.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PLD-510C is validated for use with opaque, viscous, and thermally sensitive petroleum matrices—including residual fuels, bitumen blends, and untreated crude oils—where conventional capillary-based methods fail. Its dual-channel configuration supports parallel testing of reference and unknown samples, facilitating method verification per ASTM D4057 and ISO 4259. The instrument meets essential requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for analytical instrumentation used in accredited laboratories, including traceable temperature calibration (NIST-traceable Pt100 sensor), audit-ready operation logs, and hardware-level interlock safeguards. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, its data output format (ASCII text + timestamped printouts) supports integration into validated LIMS environments with supplementary electronic signature workflows.

Software & Data Management

The PLD-510C operates via embedded firmware with no external PC dependency. All operational parameters—including tilt interval, target cooling rate, hold duration, and pass/fail thresholds—are configurable via the onboard 128×64 Chinese-character LCD interface. Test results—including ambient temperature, final pour point, cooling curve timestamps, and detection events—are stored internally and output via integrated 20-column thermal printer. Printouts include instrument ID, operator code (manually entered), date/time stamp, and sample identifier—enabling direct inclusion in QC records. Raw data export is supported via RS-232 serial interface for archival in laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or statistical process control (SPC) platforms.

Applications

• Refinery quality control of pipeline-spec crude oils prior to transportation
• Monitoring wax deposition behavior in heavy fuel oils and marine distillates
• Formulation validation of cold-flow improvers (CFIs) in diesel and jet fuels
• Research-grade characterization of bio-oil blends and synthetic hydrocarbons
• Regulatory submission testing for ASTM D97, IP 15, and EN 116 compliance

FAQ

What standards does the PLD-510C comply with?

It conforms to ASTM D97–22, GB/T 510–2010, GB/T 3535–2018, and IP 15 for pour point determination of petroleum products.

Can the instrument test highly viscous or waxy crudes?

Yes—the optical detection system and micro-tilt mechanism are specifically optimized for opaque, high-wax-content samples where traditional visual methods yield inconsistent endpoints.

Is external software required for operation?

No—the analyzer is fully self-contained with local parameter configuration and thermal printing; optional RS-232 connectivity supports external data logging.

How is temperature calibration verified?

The Pt100 sensor is factory-calibrated against NIST-traceable references; users may perform periodic verification using certified thermometer standards per ISO/IEC 17025 Section 6.6.

What maintenance is required for the compressor cooling system?

Annual inspection of condenser airflow, refrigerant pressure checks, and desiccant replacement (if equipped) are recommended; no routine oil changes are needed for hermetic compressors.