Oil condition monitoring technology targets marine operators

Parker Hannifin has announced new oil condition monitoring technology that will help "marine operators reduce downtime, reduce costs, and protect assets", it states.

Developed in close collaboration with marine experts, the DIGI Plus has been designed to offer rapid on-site and on-board oil condition monitoring to improve productivity and increase uptime for the marine industry.

DIGI cell technology

"The company’s DIGI cell technology, which was introduced in 1993, has become a go-to solution for the marine sector to monitor oil condition," adds the company. "The DIGI Plus combined test cell, the latest innovation in the range, enables operators quickly and easily to test for water in oil and for the base number of oil samples." It also will help users to detect out-of-spec oils and lubricants and identify potential problems before they become critical.

The DIGI Plus has a built-in test memory for recording up to 50 individual test results as part of a pre-programmed test plan, while also having the capability for miscellaneous or spot tests as well. Test results are downloaded using a USB cable and the downloaded data can then be used as part of a trend analysis programme. The USB cable can also be used for battery charging of the DIGI Plus cell.

Better visibility

Having been developed for use in challenging conditions, the DIGI Plus features an improved backlit colour display that provides better visibility, especially in poor light conditions. The colour display has been designed to simplify identification of alarm conditions and pass or fail results, while also guiding the user through important test steps, such as cell cleaning. The cell has been constructed from lightweight glass reinforced plastic, with non-slip twist grips, and aims to reduce handling fatigue during testing.

The DIGI Plus combined test cell offers both water in oil (H2O) and base number (BN) testing, and comes as part of Parker’s DIGI Plus Field Test Kit, which also incorporates three other test measurements: acid number; insoluble loading; and basic viscosity.

30 years of monitoring expertise

Shaun Skilton at Parker comments: “With nearly 30 years of oil conditioning monitoring expertise behind it, Parker’s DIGI Plus solution has been shaped around the needs of engineers and maintenance staff working in the marine industry. We’re proud to have developed cost-effective technology which will help keep the marine sector moving by reducing risks, protecting essential assets, and decreasing the downtime caused by engine and equipment failure.”