Centrifugation of Oil Samples in the Field
A small petroleum company that tests crude oil is looking for an affordable portable centrifuge to perform the ASTM test method D96 in the field. Centrifugation of crude oil separates any sediments or water from the oil, so it is an easy way to determine the general purity of a shipment when laboratory facilities are not available. The ASTM method D96 requires that the centrifuge is heated and samples placed in conical centrifuge tubes of 100 mL capacity.
Which of the following centrifuges would be the best choice?
A. Portable microcentrifuge (such as 79000-00)
B. Portable heated oil test centrifuge (such as 17301-09)
C. Universal centrifuge (such as 17304-01)
D. Automatic heated oil test centrifuge
Answers:
A. Portable microcentrifuge (such as 79000-00)
Incorrect. Although this centrifuge is portable, it does not conform to the test method because it is not heated and cannot accommodate the large conical tubes.
B. Portable heated oil test centrifuge (such as 17301-09)
Correct! The centrifuge is capable of heating the sample and it can accommodate the large conical tubes. It has been designed specifically to conform to the ASTM D96 method. It is also considered portable, because it can run on 12 VDC power.
C. Universal centrifuge (such as 17304-01)
Incorrect. This centrifuge can accommodate the large sample size, but it is not heated and is not portable, since it must be plugged into the main power source.
D. Automatic heated oil test centrifuge
Incorrect. This centrifuge is designed to perform the ASTM D96 method; however, it is not portable and is more expensive (because it can perform 16 different standard test methods, not just the D96).
