Lovibond PFXi880 Automated Colorimeter

Overview

The Lovibond PFXi880 Automated Colorimeter is a precision optical instrument engineered for quantitative color assessment of transparent and semi-transparent liquid samples in petroleum refining, edible oil processing, chemical manufacturing, and food-grade product development. It operates on the principle of filtered photometry—utilizing a set of 16 high-stability interference filters spanning the visible spectrum (420–710 nm) to emulate standardized CIE illuminants (A, B, C, D65) and observer functions (2° and 10°). Unlike spectrophotometers that scan continuously, the PFXi880 delivers rapid, repeatable results by measuring discrete wavelength bands aligned with industry-specific color scales—including ASTM D1500 for petroleum products, IP 17 for lubricants, ICUMSA for sugar solutions, AOCS for vegetable oils, and Saybolt for aviation fuels. Its robust optical architecture ensures long-term stability under continuous laboratory or production-floor operation, with baseline auto-calibration eliminating drift-related measurement uncertainty.

Key Features

• High-precision photometric engine with 16 fixed-wavelength interference filters and ±0.0002 repeatability in CIE x,y chromaticity coordinates
• Adjustable optical path length (0.1–153 mm) accommodates diverse sample viscosities and concentrations without dilution
• Integrated tungsten-halogen light source (5 V, 10 W) with stable spectral output and calibrated aging compensation
• Large 240 × 128 backlit monochrome LCD display with tactile membrane keypad (23 keys), audible feedback, and multilingual UI support
• Steel housing with textured epoxy finish provides resistance to hydrocarbons, solvents, and cleaning agents—meeting ISO 14644-1 Class 8 cleanroom-compatible durability requirements
• Optional integrated Peltier heater (PFXi880/L+, PFXi880/IP17+, etc.) enables temperature-controlled measurements up to 95 °C, critical for waxy or high-melting-point petroleum fractions
• Comprehensive connectivity suite: USB host/device, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet (LAN), and RS232 serial port for integration into LIMS, MES, or SCADA environments

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PFXi880 supports a broad range of industrial liquids—from low-viscosity gasoline and jet fuel to viscous lubricating oils, molten waxes, fatty acids, and clarified fruit juices. Its modular cuvette holder accepts standard 10–50 mm pathlength cells, as well as custom quartz or borosilicate glass cells for high-temperature or UV-sensitive applications. All configurations comply with international regulatory frameworks: CE marking confirms conformity with EU Machinery and EMC Directives; RoHS and WEEE certifications ensure restricted substance compliance and end-of-life recyclability. For quality-critical environments, the instrument supports full GLP documentation—including date/time stamps, user authentication, sample identification, and audit-trail-enabled data export—aligning with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated software modules.

Software & Data Management

Data handling is governed by the RCMSi (Remote Calibration and Maintenance System interface), enabling secure over-the-network firmware updates, remote diagnostics, and traceable calibration certificate distribution. The embedded memory stores up to 100,000 complete measurement records, each tagged with operator ID, sample ID, instrument serial number, environmental conditions (if external sensors are connected), and full spectral reflectance data. Export formats include CSV, XML, and PDF reports compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 documentation standards. Optional PC-based ColorSoft™ software extends functionality: automated batch reporting, statistical process control (SPC) charting, trend analysis across shifts or batches, and seamless export to Microsoft Excel or enterprise databases via ODBC. All software modules undergo periodic validation per ASTM E2919 and ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 5.9.

Applications

• Petroleum refining: ASTM D1500 color grading of diesel, kerosene, naphtha, and base oils
• Lubricant manufacturing: IP 17 assessment of hydraulic fluids, turbine oils, and greases
• Edible oil processing: AOCS Cc 13b–92 color evaluation of soybean, palm, sunflower, and olive oils
• Sugar & beverage industries: ICUMSA Method GS4/3–12 for raw sugar liquors and clarified juice streams
• Chemical synthesis: Monitoring discoloration during oxidation, hydrogenation, or polymerization reactions
• Quality assurance labs: Routine release testing against internal specifications or customer-defined color tolerances (ΔE*ab, ΔL*a*b*)

FAQ

What color standards are pre-programmed into the PFXi880?

The instrument includes factory-loaded algorithms for Lovibond RYBN, ASTM D1500, IP 17, ICUMSA, AOCS, Saybolt, and CIE XYZ/xyY color spaces—configurable per model variant (e.g., PFXi880/P for petroleum, PFXi880/S for sugar).
Can the PFXi880 measure opaque or turbid samples?

No—it is designed exclusively for transparent or translucent liquids. Turbid or particulate-laden samples require prior filtration or centrifugation to meet ASTM D1209/D5386 clarity criteria.
Is remote calibration supported?

Yes, via RCMSi over LAN or USB. Certified reference materials (CRMs) traceable to NPL or NIST are used during calibration; certificates include uncertainty budgets per ISO/IEC 17025.
How does the instrument handle thermal drift during heated measurements?

The optional heater module incorporates dual thermistor feedback and PID-controlled thermal regulation, maintaining ±0.3 °C stability across the 30–95 °C operating range.
Does the PFXi880 meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements?

When operated with validated ColorSoft™ software and configured with electronic signatures, audit trails, and role-based access control, it satisfies electronic record and signature requirements for regulated pharmaceutical and food manufacturing environments.