Complete oil analysis technique
First Claim
1. A method for analyzing oil for antioxidant depletion, oxidation initiator buildup, product buildup, or liquid contamination, or combinations thereof, comprising the steps of:
- bringing electrodes into contact with a sample of oil;
applying an electric potential of a first value to the sample to produce an electric current therethrough;
varying the potential from the first value to a second value to produce an oxidation reaction;
varying the potential from the second value to the first value to produce a reduction reaction;
varying the potential from the first value to a third value to produce a reduction reaction;
varying the potential from the third value to the first value to produce an oxidation reaction;
measuring and recording the current during the oxidation and reduction reactions; and
measuring the conductance of the oil.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for the complete analysis of used oils, lubricants, and fluids. The method can monitor antioxidant depletion, oxidation initiators buildup, product buildup, or liquid contamination or combinations thereof. The method can be performed either on-line or off-line but is preferably an on-line system, either a built-in system or a dip-stick type system, having a working microelectrode, a reference electrode, and an auxiliary electrode. A sample is contacted by the electrodes and subjected to cyclic voltammetric analysis, whereby a varying electric current is produced within the sample. The current is measured and recorded, and the conductance is measured. The remaining useful life of the oil, lubricant, or fluid is then determined from the wave heights of the oxidation and reduction peaks, and the contamination is determined from the conductance.
95 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for analyzing oil for antioxidant depletion, oxidation initiator buildup, product buildup, or liquid contamination, or combinations thereof, comprising the steps of:
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bringing electrodes into contact with a sample of oil; applying an electric potential of a first value to the sample to produce an electric current therethrough; varying the potential from the first value to a second value to produce an oxidation reaction; varying the potential from the second value to the first value to produce a reduction reaction; varying the potential from the first value to a third value to produce a reduction reaction; varying the potential from the third value to the first value to produce an oxidation reaction; measuring and recording the current during the oxidation and reduction reactions; and measuring the conductance of the oil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An on-line method for analyzing oil for antioxidant depletion, oxidation initiator buildup, product buildup, or liquid contamination, or combinations thereof, comprising the steps of:
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attaching electrodes to a source of a sample of oil, applying an electric potential of a first value to the sample to produce an electric current therethrough; varying the potential from the first value to a second value to produce an oxidation reaction; varying the potential from the second value to the first value to produce a reduction reaction; varying the potential from the first value to a third value to produce a reduction reaction; varying the potential from the third value to the first value to produce an oxidation reaction; measuring and recording the current during the oxidation and reduction reactions; and measuring the conductance of the oil. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. An on-line method for analyzing oil for oxidation initiator buildup, product buildup, and liquid contamination, comprising the steps of:
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placing electrodes with a temperature probe or heating element attached thereto in an on-line sample reservoir, applying an electrical potential of a first value to a sample in said on-line sample reservoir to produce an electric current therethrough; varying the potential from first value to a second value to produce an oxidation reaction; varying the potential from the second value to the first value to produce a reduction reaction; varying the potential from the first value to a third value to produce a reduction reaction; varying the potential from the third value to the first value to produce an oxidation reaction; measuring and recording the current during the oxidation and reduction reactions; measuring the conductance of the oil and removing the electrodes and temperature probe or heating element from said on-line sample reservoir when the analysis is concluded. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification