eraspec oil
The FTIR spectral lubricant analyzer.
eraspec oil is a powerful stand-alone infrared analyzer for high-speed lubricant oil analysis and condition monitoring in full compliance with ASTM, DIN and JOAP methods. Its patented interferometer design delivers laboratory-grade results wherever nedded. eraspec oil measures contaminants, degradation products, low additive contents as well as calculated properties like TAN and TBN within seconds.
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Lubricant analysis with FTIR spectroscopy
Lubricant oils exhibit various chemical changes during their lifetime. This starts with simple changes such as fuel dilution or the uptake of water or soot. Numerous chemical reactions with combustion products lead to oxidation, nitration or sulfation of the lubricant and can be summarized as degradation products. In order to achieve the cycle times associated with modern lubricants, a variety of additives are added, which are depleted during operation. Thanks to its unique double-cell geometry, eraspec oil enables extremely low detection limits for additives or water.
Direct trending and spectral subtraction
When performing an used oil analysis with eraspec oil one of two methods can be chosen. With “Direct Trending” the lubricant properties are directly calculated from the recorded absorbance. With “Spectral Subtraction” the previously measured fresh oil is used as reference and is subtracted from the measured in-service oil. Generally speaking, “Spectral Subtraction” gives better results as only the changes to the oil during operation are analyzed. Knowing the spectrum of the fresh oil allows the measurement of the remaining anti-oxidants in percentage for example. Complex parameters such as TAN and TBN are calculated by chemometrical models based on databases containing used oil spectra of known values.
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Expandable databases
eraspec oil is equipped with different chemometric libraries for the calculation of complex oil properties. These libraries are available for different product groups. Choosing the correct database allows various parameters, like TAN or TBN to be predicted with high precision. Besides the already included models, new customized libraries can be easily added, thus improving the results of your used oil analysis even further. Using customized libraries gives eraspec oil the ability to learn additional parameters that are not covered yet by the factory libraries.
Integrated trending graphs
eraspec oil offers the possibility to plot the measurement results of the used oil analysis directly on the large color touchscreen. This allows to track the changes over time of parameters of interest. eraspec oil can plot the values of the driven distance of an engine or the operating hours of a gas turbine for example. All relevant information, such as trending ID, fresh oil spectrum and libraries needed, are pre-configured on the instrument. After selecting the trending ID a measurement is run and the graphs are displayed directly afterwards. That way, for example, a sudden rise in oxidation or a major drop in base reserve (TBN) will be noted immediately.
Lab-grade performance
eralytics’ patented rugged and light-weight FTIR spectrometer design allows measurements giving results as previously known from laboratory systems only. With its ligth-weight instrument design eraspec oil can easily be brought on-site. For the operation at remote locations eraspec oil can also be operated by a vehicle battery. There is no need to send in samples for analysis anymore.
Using eraspec oil you can bring you laboratory oil analysis directly to spot where the analysis results are need.
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Automatic reference measurement
In IR spectroscopy always two measurements are needed: A reference measurement of the background and a sample measurement. Often the reference measurement is performed by filling the measurement cell with a solvent because a measurement of the empty cell is not favorable due to optical interferences.
eraspec oil uses a built-in reference cell to automate the background measurement process. Whenever a new reference is needed the instrument can perform this measurement automatically so that eraspec oil is always ready for the next sample measurement.
Option: 10-position autosampler for high sample throughput
eralytics’ 10-position autosampler is an optional accessory for the FTIR lubricant analyzer eraspec oil. The 10-position autosampler is directly attached to the instrument allowing it to conveniently connect up to 10 samples simultaneously. It is the perfect solution for higher sample throughput and even more efficiency. All instruments maintain their portability, even with the 10-position autosampler attached. Read more >>
Measurement procedure
With eraspec oil a spectral analysis of lubricants can be done in 3 simple steps:
- Enter the sample ID and select the oil type and the method (direct trending or spectral subtraction)
- Put your sample next to the analyzer and insert the inlet tube
- Press the RUN button
The measurement steps are visualized on the display, showing the automatic filling of the sample with the built-in pump and deflection of the moving mirror of the interferometer. When the measurement is completed, the results are displayed and can be printed or added to a library with a single click. When the sample belongs to a trend measurement, this trend of all corresponding samples can be displayed, too.
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Parameters covered by eraspec oil
Degradation
| Degradation | Standard | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Oxidation | ASTM E2412, D7414, JOAP, DIN 51453 | A/cm |
| Nitration | ASTM E2412, D7624, JOAP, DIN 51453 | A/cm |
| Sulfation | ASTM E2412, D7415, JOAP | A/cm |
Properties
| Properties1 | Standard | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| TAN | ASTM D664 | mg KOH g-1 |
| TBN | ASTM D2896, D4739 | mg KOH g-1 |
| Aniline point | ASTM D611 | °C/°F |
1Requires a customized library. The range and repeatability depend on the used database.
Additives
| Additives2 | Standard | Unit2, 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ZDDP | ASTM E2412, D7412, JOAP | A/cm, %, wt% |
| Phenolic Antioxidants | ASTM D2668, ASTM D2668, IEC 60666 | %, wt% |
| Aminic Antioxidants | %, wt% | |
| Aromatics | IEC 60590 | % |
2 … Additive depletion in % remaining additive are available only for spectral subtraction measurements.
3 … wt% values are determined by a factory calibration
Contaminants
| Contaminants | Standard | Unit3 |
|---|---|---|
| Soot | ASTM E2412, JOAP, DIN 51452 | A/cm, wt% |
| Water | ASTM E2412, JOAP | A/cm, wt% |
| Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze) | ASTM E2412, JOAP | A/cm, wt% |
| Diesel Fuel | ASTM E2412, JOAP | A/cm, wt% |
| Gasoline | ASTM E2412, JOAP | A/cm, wt% |
| FAME | wt% | |
| Polyolester | wt% | |
| Phosphate Ester | wt% |
3 … wt% values are determined by an eralytics calibration
eraspec oil feature video
- Patented rugged FTIR and laser / temperature design for highest precision
- “Direct Trending” method when no fresh oil can be used during lubricant monitoring
- “Spectral Subtracting” method for lowest LoD and increase range of oil properties and parameters
- Easy expandable libraries to tailor the reference matrix to special applications
- Data evaluation according to latest international standards
eraspec oil operation video
Watch this video to get an overview on the standard operation of eraspec oil: From installation to measurement and some extended measuring options.
Technical Specifications
- Available Test Methods
- ASTM E2412, ASTM D2668, ASTM D7214, ASTM D7412, ASTM D7414, ASTM D7415, ASTM D7418, ASTM D7624, ASTM D7806, ASTM D7844, JOAP, DIN 51452, DIN 51453, EN14078, IEC 60590, IEC 60666
- Correlation to…
- ASTM D611, ASTM D664, ASTM D2896, and ASTM D4739
- Spectrometer Type
- Patented mid-FTIR spectrometer
Laser and temperature controlled design - Measurement Cell
- 100 µm path length
Optimized dual position cell design for automated reference measurement without solvent - Calibration
- Factory calibrated with a matrix of international lubricants
eralytics´calibrations for soot, water, glycol,… - Spectral Libraries
- Easy expandable libraries to adjust measurements to target applications and user-defined parameters
- Measurement Principles
- Direct trending: calculation of results without the need to record a fresh opil spectrum
Spectral subtraction: fresh oil used as reference for highest performance and lowest LODs - Measuring Time
- 60 – 120 seconds depending on the viscosity of the sample;
Warm-up time: 30 seconds after booting the instrument - Sample Introduction
- Directly from the sample container by an integrated pump
- Sample Viscosity
- 0 – 2 000 cSt at 20 °C
- Option: Diesel fuel module
- Typical parameters include cetane number/index, cetane improver, evaporation and distillation points, aromatics, and FAME/vegetable oil
- Sample Volume
- 10 mL
- Cleaning
- Automatic rinsing with next sample or solvent
Integrated filter to prevent blocking of measurement cell - Display
- Industry proven 8.4″ color touchscreen
- Languages
- English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese
Additional langages available upon request - Interfaces
- Built-in PC with Ethernet, USB and RS232 interfaces
Wifi via external USB dongle
Direct LIMS connectivity via LAN, output to printer or PC and export as CSV or PDF
Optional input by external keyboard, mouse, and barcode scanner - Remote Control
- Remote service capability via Ethernet interface
- PC Software
- erasoft RCS – remote control Windows® software for multi-instrument remote control, convenient data transfer, viewing spectra and result analysis
- Result Database
- Approx. 3000 detailed test reports and spectra stored in the internal memory
- Alarm Tracking
- All alarm messages are stored in the database together with the results
- Auto Sampler
- Optional 10-position auto-sampler – directly attached
- Operating Conditions
- Temperature range 5 °C to 45 °C
Humidity up to 90% RH, non-condensing - Power Requirements
- Auto switching 85-264 V AC, 47-63 Hz, max. 150 W (multi-voltage power supply)
Field application: 12 V DC (vehicle battery) adapter available - Dimensions & Weight
- (W x D x H) = 29.1 x 32.9 x 34.8 cm (11.5 x 12.9 x 13.7 in) / 10.6 kg (23.4 lb)
Downloads
- eraspec oil Brochure English
- eraspec oil Brochure Spanish
- eraspec oil Brochure French
- eraspec oil Brochure Portuguese
- eraspec oil Brochure German
- Whitepaper: Getting Started with In-house Oil Condition Monitoring
- An new way to decode the solvency of base oils | Article in Lube Magazine 06/2025
- Case Study: Oil Condition Monitoring (OCM) with FTIR spectroscopy
- Article on “Used-oil Analysis Using a Portable FTIR Spectrometer”
- Datasheet: erasoft RCS English
- Datasheet: 10-Position Autosampler English