ChemTron Digtor 22 C-8 Oil Water and Sediment Analyzer

Overview

The ChemTron Digtor 22 C-8 Oil Water and Sediment Analyzer is a purpose-engineered benchtop centrifuge designed specifically for standardized quantitative determination of water content and sediment in petroleum-based fluids—including lubricating oils, diesel fuels, transformer oils, and used engine oils. It operates on the principle of gravity-enhanced phase separation under controlled rotational acceleration, enabling precise stratification of immiscible components (oil, free water, and solid particulates) according to density differentials. Unlike general-purpose centrifuges, the Digtor 22 C-8 integrates temperature-controlled sample conditioning, real-time RCF monitoring, and ASTM/ISO-compliant rotor geometry—ensuring reproducible results aligned with internationally recognized test methods such as ASTM D96 (Standard Test Method for Water in Petroleum Products by Distillation) and ISO 9030 (Petroleum products — Determination of water and sediment). Its fixed-angle rotor configuration minimizes sample disturbance during deceleration, preserving interfacial integrity critical for accurate volumetric quantification.

Key Features

• Microprocessor-controlled operation with TFT color display (visible up to 3 m), showing real-time RPM, RCF, elapsed time, acceleration/deceleration profiles, and unbalance location (ULS)
• Temperature-regulated chamber (RT+5 °C to 80 °C, ±0.5 °C accuracy), with cavity-mounted Pt100 sensor, overtemperature cutoff, and insulated thermal enclosure
• High-integrity safety architecture: dual mechanical lid lock, automatic lid interlock during rotation, emergency manual unlock, anti-drop lid mechanism, and transparent viewing window
• Intelligent rotor recognition and overspeed protection; automatic imbalance detection with immediate shutdown and positional indication (ULS)
• Brushless DC motor with maintenance-free operation, programmable acceleration/deceleration (175 slope options via PCBS), and silent operation (<60 dB(A))
• Stainless-steel centrifuge chamber and autoclavable rotor/adapter sets (121 °C, 20 min); removable rotor with closed-lid access
• Forced-air cooling system to limit thermal drift during extended runs; energy-saving auto-power-off mode
• 40 user-programmable protocols with password protection; last-parameter memory; start/stop/instant-centrifuge functions; lid auto-open at end-of-run

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Digtor 22 C-8 accommodates eight 100 mL conical centrifuge tubes (8″ or 6″), including ASTM-standard pear-shaped tubes and 12.5 mL micro-tubes with optional adapters. Its rotor geometry and angular design meet dimensional tolerances specified in ASTM D96 Annex A1 and ISO 3734 Annex B, ensuring consistent meniscus formation and interface definition. All operational parameters—including speed ramping, dwell time, and temperature stabilization—are traceable and auditable, supporting GLP and GMP environments. The instrument complies fully with EN 61010-1 (safety requirements for electrical equipment) and EN 61326-1 (EMC for laboratory use), and carries CE marking per applicable EU directives (2014/35/EU, 2014/30/EU, 2011/65/EU). Routine calibration verification can be performed using certified tachometers and NIST-traceable temperature probes.

Software & Data Management

While the Digtor 22 C-8 operates as a standalone instrument without external PC dependency, its embedded firmware supports full audit trail functionality required for regulated laboratories. All run logs—including date/time stamp, selected program ID, actual vs. set RCF, temperature profile, unbalance events, and lid status—are stored internally and exportable via USB interface (optional module). Parameter changes are logged with operator ID (if password-authenticated), satisfying FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records when paired with appropriate lab information management systems (LIMS). The system does not require proprietary software; exported CSV files are compatible with standard data analysis platforms (e.g., Excel, Python pandas, LabArchives).

Applications

• Quantitative water and sediment analysis in crude oil, refined fuels, and lubricants per ASTM D96, D1796, and ISO 9030
• Assessment of sludge formation and insoluble deposit tendency in engine oils (ASTM D893, D2273)
• Verification of filtration efficiency and coalescer performance in fuel handling systems (API RP 2542)
• Condition monitoring of transformer oils (IEC 60156, ASTM D2711)
• Preparative separation of emulsified contaminants prior to FTIR or Karl Fischer titration
• Research-scale evaluation of demulsifier efficacy under controlled thermal and mechanical stress

FAQ

Is the Digtor 22 C-8 compliant with ASTM D96 for water content testing?

Yes—the rotor angle, tube geometry, temperature control range, and timing precision meet all instrumental requirements defined in ASTM D96 Annex A1.
Can the centrifuge operate without heating enabled?

Yes. The heating function is fully independent and may be disabled; ambient-temperature operation is supported across the full speed range.
What safety certifications apply to the Digtor 22 C-8?

It carries CE marking under Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), EMC Directive (2014/30/EU), RoHS (2011/65/EU), and WEEE (2012/19/EU), and conforms to EN 61010-1:2010 and EN 61010-2-020:2016.
Are rotors and adapters autoclavable?

Yes—both rotor bodies and tube adapters are constructed from AISI 316 stainless steel and validated for steam sterilization at 121 °C for 20 minutes.
Does the instrument support remote monitoring or network connectivity?

No native Ethernet or Wi-Fi interface is provided; however, USB data export enables integration into centralized lab networks via secondary host systems.