The atmospheric distillation characteristics of hydrocarbons have a significant effect on their safety and performance, especially in the case of fuels and solvents. The boiling range provides information about the composition, properties, and behavior of the fuel during storage and use. Moreover, a refinery can earn millions by knowing how to correctly blend its "less noble" fractions to produce fuel that meets specifications.
Atmospheric distillation with the VD10
The presence of light components is the main determining factor in the tendency of a hydrocarbon mixture to produce potentially explosive vapors. Distillation characteristics are critically important for both automotive and aviation gasolines, affecting starting, warm-up, and the tendency to form vapor lock at high operating temperatures or high altitudes, or both. The presence of heavy components in these and other fuels can significantly affect the degree of formation of solid combustion deposits.
Why is the VD10 so different?
AD Systems' VD10 distiller video analysis revolutionizes fuel laboratories, bringing unparalleled automation and precision to the atmospheric distillation analysis of petroleum products.
The video camera-assisted algorithm applies the ideal flask heating to respect the conditions of the standard method for IBP, 5% times, and distillation rate control.
Like an experienced operator in a manual distillation process, the VD10 monitors the sample's behavior in the flask in real time, and a powerful algorithm analyzes all the sample's boiling phases to anticipate and predict the ideal heater settings. No programming or optimization is required, achieving a perfect distillation on the first try, even for unknown or difficult samples such as biofuels.
How does the VD10 atmospheric distiller work?
In ASTM D86 and other similar test methods, samples are divided into groups (from 1 to 4) according to their vapor pressure, initial boiling point, and final boiling point (IBP and FBP).
The group defines the sample and apparatus preparation, as well as the test conditions to be respected. The liquid sample is boiled in a distillation flask, the vapors are cooled in the condenser tube, and the condensates are collected in a container. The distillation rate must be carefully controlled between 4 and 5 mL/min. The vapor temperature and the corresponding recovered volume are measured.
The following points are recorded:
- IBP Temperature
- Temperature every 5% recovered
- FBP Temperature
The VD10's intelligent video system assists the operator by verifying the correct installation of the flask, temperature probe, and heating plate. Once the receiver is in place and all systems are functioning properly, the test can begin. Simply enter the test method and sample group to perform an atmospheric distillation.
The VD10 advanced control algorithm uses image analysis to perfectly control the atmospheric distillation process.
The entire procedure is fully automated: flask heating, condenser and receiver temperature regulation, vapor temperature and volume measurement, IBP and FBP detection, and data logging. At the end of the test, the heater is automatically lowered and rapidly cooled. Results are displayed, saved, printed, and sent to the LIMS. The VD10's 10,4” color touchscreen display makes it very easy to use. Thanks to AD Systems' exclusive hybrid cooling system, the instrument is ready for the next run in just a few minutes.
Advantages and benefits of VD10 for the laboratory in atmospheric distillation.
The VD10 simply cannot be compared to a regular automatic distiller! Among its main advantages are:
Ease of Use
The VD10 is an instrument that requires no programming. To run a test, simply select the sample group. The AD Systems video camera-assisted algorithm ensures that distillation is performed strictly according to standard method conditions, without any pre-programming of heating conditions.
Increased accuracy
Real-time analysis of the boiling sample image allows for unparalleled control of the distillation process. Distillation rate, IBP, 5% times, and FBP are extremely repeatable, and together with enhanced control of condenser and receiver temperatures and the precise volume measurement system, this allows the VD10 to deliver consistently accurate distillation results.
Reduction of labor and operating time in atmospheric distillation.
With no programming or optimization required, it achieves perfect results from the first run and saves operators significant time. Changing the condenser temperature from standby conditions to Group 1 or Group 4 test conditions takes less than 3 minutes. Any test can be started at any time without delay. Rapid heater cooling reduces downtime between tests.
Error-proof instrument
The VD10 offers the following error-proof functions:
- Do not start with the incorrect heating plate.
- It will not start without a clean condenser tube.
- Do not start without the bottle or steam probe in the correct position.
- It will not start without the receiver in place.
- Do not start with the wrong size vial for the selected test method/group.
- The video camera recognizes the bottle size according to the method, the correct bottle position, and the presence of the probe in the bottle.
- The smart heater lift ensures automatic heater positioning and helps recognize the heater plate diameter.
- Visual indicators make it easy for the user to immediately verify which procedure is complete or incomplete.
No fake IBP
Thanks to its integrated atmospheric condition sensors (temperature, humidity and barometric pressure), while the VD10 is in standby mode, the condenser temperature is automatically regulated above the dew point, preventing moisture condensation on the receiver. This eliminates one of the most frequent errors: a false IBP due to a water drop event, since the condenser has been previously cleaned.
Greater safety for the operator.
A safety device on the VD10 constantly monitors abnormal situations, preventing the operator from acting immediately if there is a risk to the operator or the equipment. The VD10 is equipped with an integrated fire suppression system, including an inert gas collector with an injection valve and 2 flame detectors (1 sensor + 1 chamber). In case of fire detection, the valve will be activated automatically (a gas must be connected) and a relay will be closed, allowing an external alarm connection. To protect the operator from exposure to sample vapors, an automatic VOC extraction system is included as standard. It is automatically activated when the receiving chamber is opened, evacuating the vapors to the ventilation.
Check out the video below to get an idea of how the VD10 works!
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