Soot School

The Value of Real-Time Monitoring:

Today, many owners and operators of heavy equipment still rely on looking at their dipstick to see if they need an oil change. As you many already know, oil experts regard this as perilous—particles large enough to see our feel are capable of doing serious engine damage. Astute engine owners might rely on one of many accredited oil test labs. However, as has been reported in industry, any oil ample sent to multiple test labs might get varying results. Furthermore, using oil test labs, given the infrequency of testing, make it difficult to see the curve or rate at which soot agglomeration is occurring.

This is the single most important benefit of optical in-line devices such as SootSmart. Optical in-line monitoring equipment can make it possible to continuously measure the decrease in oil opacity and the detect the inflection point evidencing the onset of soot agglomeration.

It is worth noting the there are other in-line monitoring techniques available , but the do not have an ability to detect soot agglomeration that is effective as optical techniques. Alternative technologies include:

• Dielectric Devices: Weak correlations with target metrics
• Micromechanical: Only measures viscosity
• Magnetic: Only measures ferrous debris.

For more information on the importance of soot agglomeration, please click here.