PULUODY PLD-3535A Petroleum Cloud Point and Pour Point Tester

Overview

The PULUODY PLD-3535A Petroleum Cloud Point and Pour Point Tester is a precision-engineered laboratory instrument designed for the standardized determination of cloud point and pour point temperatures of petroleum products—including diesel fuels, lubricating oils, jet fuels, and crude oil fractions—according to internationally aligned national standards GB/T 3535 (Pour Point of Petroleum Products) and GB/T 6986 (Cloud Point of Petroleum Products). The instrument operates on the principle of controlled stepwise cooling combined with visual or automated optical detection of phase transition onset: cloud point is identified as the temperature at which wax crystals first become visible upon cooling, while pour point is defined as the lowest temperature at which the sample exhibits flow under specified conditions after static cooling. This dual-parameter capability enables comprehensive low-temperature performance assessment critical for fuel specification compliance, cold-weather operability validation, and refinery quality control workflows.

Key Features

• Integrated dual-position cold bath architecture enabling simultaneous or sequential cloud point and pour point testing in a single thermal environment—minimizing inter-test thermal drift and improving throughput consistency.
• High-efficiency cascade refrigeration system composed of two-stage hermetically sealed compressors, delivering stable and uniform cooling down to –35 °C without cryogenic consumables or external coolant loops.
• Precision electronic temperature control with PID algorithm and digital display, maintaining thermal stability within ±1 °C across the full operating range (ambient to –35 °C).
• Compact cold bath chamber (200 × 90 × 120 mm) engineered for optimal heat transfer uniformity and rapid thermal equilibration—achieving target temperature in ≤100 minutes from ambient.
• Low power consumption design (<800 W), compatible with standard AC 220 V ±10%, 50 Hz laboratory mains supply—eliminating requirements for dedicated circuits or voltage regulation equipment.
• Modular configuration supporting future expansion: the PLD-3535B variant offers two independent baths (four test positions) for high-volume labs requiring parallel analysis capacity.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PLD-3535A accommodates standard ASTM D2500 / ISO 3015-compliant test tubes (typically 16–19 mm OD, 150 mm length) and supports viscous and non-viscous petroleum liquids within kinematic viscosity limits typical of distillate fuels and base oils (up to ~300 mm²/s at 40 °C). All operational protocols adhere strictly to GB/T 6986 and GB/T 3535 methodology—including prescribed cooling rates (1 °C/min for cloud point; 3 °C/min for pour point prior to final hold), observation intervals, and pass/fail criteria for crystal formation and fluid mobility. While not certified to ASTM or ISO standards per se, the instrument’s mechanical and thermal design conforms to the functional requirements embedded in those standards—making it suitable for GLP-compliant laboratories conducting internal specification testing, batch release verification, and R&D screening where national standard alignment is mandated.

Software & Data Management

The PLD-3535A operates as a standalone benchtop unit with embedded digital temperature monitoring and manual endpoint determination via visual inspection—consistent with traditional GB-standard practice. No proprietary software is included; however, the digital temperature readout (0.1 °C resolution) supports manual logging into LIMS or Excel-based QA records. For laboratories implementing 21 CFR Part 11 or ISO/IEC 17025 traceability requirements, users may integrate external data acquisition systems via RS232 or analog output (optional accessory). Temperature calibration is performed using NIST-traceable reference thermometers, and calibration certificates are issued upon request—supporting audit readiness in regulated environments.

Applications

• Refinery QC laboratories performing routine cloud/pour point verification on finished diesel and heating oil batches prior to dispatch.
• Fuel additive formulation labs evaluating wax inhibitor efficacy across temperature gradients.
• Independent testing facilities conducting contract analyses for pipeline operators assessing cold-flow properties of blended crudes.
• Research institutions studying paraffin crystallization kinetics in bio-diesel blends and synthetic lubricants.
• Equipment OEMs validating fuel compatibility with low-temperature injection systems and filtration components.

FAQ

What standards does the PLD-3535A comply with?
It is designed and validated for GB/T 3535 (pour point) and GB/T 6986 (cloud point) testing procedures.
Can the instrument be used for ASTM D2500 or ISO 3015 testing?
While not pre-configured for automatic ASTM/ISO ramp profiles, its thermal control fidelity and bath geometry meet the physical requirements—manual protocol adaptation is feasible with documented SOPs.
Is temperature calibration traceable to national standards?
Yes—calibration using NIST-traceable thermometers is supported, and formal calibration certificates are available upon request.
What maintenance is required for the cascade refrigeration system?
Annual inspection of compressor oil level, condenser coil cleaning, and refrigerant pressure verification is recommended; no user-serviceable refrigerant handling is required.
Are spare test tubes and thermometers included?
The base configuration includes two calibrated glass thermometers and two standard test tubes; additional consumables are available as optional accessories.