Lovibond PFXi195/2 Automated Colorimeter

Overview

The Lovibond PFXi195/2 Automated Colorimeter is a precision optical measurement instrument engineered for high-reproducibility color evaluation across liquid and transparent semi-solid samples in regulated industrial environments. Based on fixed-wavelength photometric analysis using nine interference filters, it delivers traceable, standardized color quantification without reliance on full-spectrum scanning. Its optical architecture conforms to CIE 1931 and CIE 1964 standard observer functions, supporting both 2° and 10° viewing angles to accommodate diverse sample transparency and application-specific perceptual weighting. Designed for compliance-critical sectors—including petroleum refining, lubricant formulation, chemical manufacturing, and pharmaceutical excipient quality control—the PFXi195/2 implements validated photometric principles aligned with ASTM D1209 (Pt-Co), ASTM D1500 (Petroleum Color), ASTM D6045 (Saybolt), and ISO 2211 (Hazen). The integrated tungsten-halogen light source ensures stable spectral output over extended operational cycles, while the 10 nm bandwidth enables sufficient resolution for narrow-band color discrimination without excessive noise.

Key Features

• Nine precisely calibrated interference filters covering 420–710 nm, optimized for ASTM- and ISO-defined color scales
• Automatic baseline calibration with single-button initiation, eliminating manual zeroing drift
• Robust powder-coated steel housing rated for resistance to hydrocarbons, acids, and solvents per EN ISO 9227 salt-spray testing protocols
• Modular cuvette chamber with removable optical path inserts—supporting pathlengths from 0.1 mm to 50 mm without recalibration
• Simultaneous dual-illuminant calculation (e.g., D65 + C) for comparative metamerism assessment
• Onboard delta-E and hue angle deviation reporting for quantitative deviation analysis against master standards
• Integrated Ethernet (LAN) and USB 2.0 interfaces enabling direct integration into LIMS and MES platforms

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PFXi195/2 accepts standard 10–50 mm pathlength glass or quartz cuvettes, accommodating viscous fuels, clarified process streams, aqueous solutions, and solvent-based formulations. Its optical design excludes fluorescence interference through spectral band limiting and non-UV excitation. All internal color scale algorithms are pre-validated against NIST-traceable reference materials and documented per ISO/IEC 17025 requirements. The instrument meets CE marking directives for electromagnetic compatibility (EN 61326-1) and low-voltage safety (EN 61010-1), complies with RoHS 2011/65/EU restrictions on hazardous substances, and fulfills WEEE collection obligations under Directive 2012/19/EU. For GMP-regulated laboratories, audit trails for calibration events, user logins, and method modifications can be exported via secure LAN transfer in CSV or XML format.

Software & Data Management

Instrument operation and data handling are managed through the embedded firmware v4.2, supporting GLP-compliant data integrity practices. Each measurement record includes timestamp, operator ID, cuvette ID (if RFID-enabled), pathlength, illuminant, observer angle, and raw filter absorbance values. Up to 100,000 results are retained with cyclic overwrite protection. Remote firmware and color scale updates are delivered over HTTPS-secured network connections, requiring TLS 1.2+ authentication. Export formats include ASTM E131-compliant .spc files for spectral interchange and ISO 15751-structured .csv for statistical process control (SPC) integration. Optional PC software (ColorSoft v6.1) provides advanced scatter correction modeling, multi-instrument fleet synchronization, and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic signature workflows.

Applications

• Petroleum products: Saybolt color grading of jet fuel (ASTM D156), diesel, and lubricating oils
• Chemical intermediates: APHA/Pt-Co compliance verification for acetic acid, ethylene glycol, and surfactant solutions
• Food-grade oils: Yellowness index (YI) and Gardner scale correlation for edible vegetable oils
• Pharmaceutical water systems: USP conductivity-correlated color screening for purified water
• Paint & coating resins: Batch-to-batch consistency monitoring of alkyd and epoxy clear coats
• Wastewater treatment: Real-time effluent color tracking per EPA Method 2120B equivalents

FAQ

Does the PFXi195/2 support user-defined color scales?

Yes—custom scales can be programmed via the ColorSoft configuration utility using up to 12 reference points per scale, with linear or polynomial interpolation enabled.
Is spectral data export available for third-party chemometric modeling?

Raw 9-channel absorbance values are logged with every measurement and exportable in ASCII format; full spectral reconstruction is not supported due to fixed-filter architecture.
How often must the halogen lamp be replaced?

Lamp lifetime is rated at ≥2,000 hours under continuous operation; the firmware tracks cumulative usage and triggers a maintenance alert at 90% end-of-life.
Can the instrument be integrated into a SCADA system?

Via Modbus TCP over LAN, the PFXi195/2 exposes real-time measurement outputs (L*, a*, b*, YI, Pt-Co, etc.) as read-only registers compatible with Siemens SIMATIC, Rockwell ControlLogix, and Schneider EcoStruxure platforms.
What validation documentation is supplied with the instrument?

Each unit ships with a Factory Calibration Certificate traceable to NPL (UK) standards, IQ/OQ protocol templates, and a 21 CFR Part 11 readiness checklist for GxP implementation.