Ortoalresa Digtor 22 C-8 Heated Oil Testing Centrifuge

Overview

The Ortoalresa Digtor 22 C-8 is a purpose-engineered benchtop centrifuge designed specifically for standardized oil and petroleum product analysis in compliance with internationally recognized test methods. Unlike general-purpose centrifuges, the Digtor 22 C-8 integrates precise thermal control with high-reproducibility rotational mechanics to meet the stringent requirements of ASTM, ISO, API, and IP standards for sediment, water, and insoluble contaminant separation in lubricants, fuels, and crude derivatives. Its operational principle relies on controlled gravitational acceleration (RCF) applied to vertically oriented sample tubes under regulated thermal conditions—enabling consistent phase separation kinetics critical for quantitative determinations such as water content (ASTM D96), sediment (ASTM D2709), or sludge formation (ASTM D893). The unit features a robust stainless-steel rotor chamber, brushless induction motor architecture, and microprocessor-based closed-loop control of speed, temperature, acceleration/deceleration profiles, and imbalance detection—ensuring long-term stability and measurement fidelity across daily high-throughput laboratory workflows.

Key Features

• Integrated heating system with programmable temperature range from +5°C to 80°C (±1°C accuracy), enabling pre-conditioning of samples and maintenance of thermal equilibrium during centrifugation—critical for viscosity-sensitive oil matrices.
• TFT color touchscreen interface visible from ≥3 meters, displaying real-time RPM, RCF, elapsed time, chamber temperature, acceleration/deceleration ramp values, and imbalance localization via ULS (Unbalance Location System).
• Progressive Control Braking System (PCBS) with up to 175 selectable acceleration/deceleration ramps to prevent post-centrifugation resuspension of separated phases—essential for preserving stratified layers in low-density oil/water/sediment systems.
• Automatic rotor recognition and memory storage for up to 40 user-defined protocols, each password-protected and auditable for GLP-compliant documentation.
• Dual-motor electric lid locking mechanism with emergency manual release, automatic lid interlock during operation, anti-drop safety ring, and over-speed protection meeting EN 61010-2-020 requirements.
• Gas Release System (GRS) pre-installed as optional configuration—designed to safely vent volatile hydrocarbon vapors during high-temperature centrifugation per ASTM D4007 and API RP 2542 protocols.
• Noise emission <60 dB(A) at 1 m distance; brushless motor design ensures zero maintenance and extended service life under continuous duty cycles.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Digtor 22 C-8 accommodates four 100 mL vertical tubes (8-inch format), optimized for standard oil testing geometries defined in ASTM D91 (sludge in lubricating oils), ASTM D2273 (fuel thermal oxidative stability), and ISO 9030 (determination of water and sediment in crude oil). All rotors and adapters are autoclavable (121°C, 2 bar), facilitating decontamination between batches in regulated environments. The instrument complies with essential EU directives including RoHS (2011/65/EU), WEEE (2012/19/EU), EMC (2014/30/EU), LVD (2014/35/EU), and IVDD (98/79/EC), and conforms to safety standards EN 61010-1 (general lab equipment), EN 61010-2-020 (centrifuge-specific), and EN 61326-1/-2-6 (EMC immunity and emissions). Its design supports full traceability under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated PC software for electronic recordkeeping.

Software & Data Management

The Digtor 22 C-8 supports bidirectional USB and RS-232 connectivity for integration into laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Firmware enables timestamped audit trails—including operator ID, protocol selection, start/stop times, actual vs. setpoint RCF/temperature deviations, and ULS-triggered event logs. All 40 programmable methods retain last-used parameters and support recall-based retesting with identical conditions—a requirement for method reproducibility under ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. Optional PC software provides export of CSV-formatted run reports compatible with statistical process control (SPC) platforms and automated report generation aligned with internal QA/QC templates.

Applications

• Quantitative determination of water and sediment in crude oil and refined products (ASTM D96, ISO 9030, IP 75)
• Sludge and insoluble deposit analysis in engine oils and turbine fluids (ASTM D893, D1796, D2711)
• Thermal stability assessment of aviation and diesel fuels (ASTM D2273, D2709)
• Emulsion breaking and demulsibility testing per ASTM D1401 and D4007
• Field-deployable verification of fuel cleanliness prior to injection system installation
• Research-scale separation of oxidized hydrocarbon fractions under controlled thermal gradients

FAQ

Does the Digtor 22 C-8 support validation for GMP/GLP environments?
Yes—the instrument includes password-protected method storage, electronic audit trails, calibration lockout, and firmware traceability compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when used with validated software.
Can the heating function operate independently of rotation?
No—thermal conditioning is only active during centrifugation or in pre-spin warm-up mode; the chamber does not maintain temperature in standby.
Is the Gas Release System (GRS) mandatory for ASTM D4007 compliance?
While not universally required, GRS is strongly recommended for tests involving volatile distillates or heated heavy fuel oils to mitigate pressure buildup and ensure operator safety per API RP 2542 guidelines.
What rotor configurations are certified for use with this model?
Only Ortoalresa-certified angle rotors rated for 3000 rpm and 2425 × g are approved; third-party rotors void warranty and compromise safety certification.
How is temperature uniformity verified across the chamber during operation?
A calibrated PT100 sensor positioned at the rotor axis continuously monitors chamber temperature; deviation alerts trigger automatic shutdown if ±2°C exceeds setpoint for >30 seconds.