How to Use a Refractometer: Simplified Measurement Method
- Using a dropper pipette, transfer one or two drops of room temperature water to the prism (clear glass) of the refractometer and close the cover plate. ...
- Look at the scale through the eyepiece and read the scale where the boundary line intercepts it.
- Set the boundary line to read zero by using the adjusting screw for calibration.
How do you use a refractometer step by step?
How to Use a RefractometerPlace several drops of the sample liquid on the angled prism.Seal the clear plate on top of it.Look through the eyepiece while pointing the refractometer at a source of direct light. (Do not look directly at the light with the naked eye!)
How do you use a refractometer for antifreeze?
1:363:24How to use a refractometer to measure coolant concentrationYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSolution you place a drop on the sample. Area and the brick should be set on zero. If it's not turnMoreSolution you place a drop on the sample. Area and the brick should be set on zero. If it's not turn the adjustment screw until the bricks is zero to test place a small sample of your coolant.
What Brix should my glycol be?
What is the Proper Glycol to Water Percentage or Mixture? G&D Chillers recommends a 35% Inhibited Propylene Glycol to 65% water (26.5 brix).
How do you test water for glycol?
A refractometer test measures the glycol concentration and gives the glycol freezing point of your solution. This instrument requires only a few drops of fluid for testing and requires no adjustment for fluid temperature.
How do you measure antifreeze concentration?
The only accurate way to test for this concentration (and freeze point) is to use a refractometer. The old-style floating ball testers will not work properly with modern OAT, NOAT, and HOAT formulations. Generally, there are two types of refractometers that you should use with your modern coolant mixtures.
What fluids can be checked with a refractometer?
What is a Refractometer? Refractometers are handheld, lightweight, portable instruments used to determine the concentration of water soluble fluids such as machine tool coolants, heat treating fluids, hydraulic fluids, plating baths, detergents, antifreeze, battery acid, etc.
Can a Brix refractometer measure glycol?
Refractometer Test Refractometers measure the glycol concentration and gives the antifreeze freezing point. This instrument requires only a few drops of fluid for glycol testing and requires no adjustment for fluid temperature.
How do you identify glycol?
Perform the specific gravity test first. Fill the cylinder with 250-300ml of the unknown sample. Record the numerical value of the nearest graduation mark, if the value is 1.05 or above the solution is ethylene glycol based.
What kind of glycol is pink?
Propylene GlycolPropylene Glycol: 5 gal Size, Up to 250°F, Pink.
How can you tell the difference between propylene glycol and ethylene glycol?
Propylene glycol solutions have higher viscosity and higher freezing point than ethylene glycol at the same percentage, causing it to be less thermally efficient than ethylene glycol, especially at lower temperatures. Propylene glycol is also more expensive than ethylene glycol.
What's the difference between ethylene glycol and propylene glycol?
The main difference between propylene glycol and ethylene is the level of toxicity. Propylene glycol has a very low toxicity, which is why it is also found in cosmetics and personal care products, whereas ethylene glycol is poisonous and must be handled with caution to restrict any human or animal exposure.
How do you mix glycol and water?
A mixture of about 2:1 water:glycol (around 33% glycol) is often recommended, as this has quite a low freezing point without being too viscous. (Changing the proportion also affects the boiling point of the mixture.)
How do you read a antifreeze tester?
0:554:04How to Use Coolant (Anti Freeze) Tester - TOTAL TECHNIK - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere a little bit of air in just by squeezing a little bit out and then put your finger on the endMoreThere a little bit of air in just by squeezing a little bit out and then put your finger on the end and then we can kind of see what the results of this test are going to be.
What parameter of coolant is checked via refractometer?
In the automobile industry, a refractometer is used to measure the coolant concentration. In the machine industry, a refractometer is used to measure the amount of coolant concentrate that has been added to the water-based coolant for the machining process.
How do you check the concentration of ethylene glycol?
A handheld refractometer is easy to use. Just add a few drops of sample on the prism, hold up to a light source, and read the concentration on the scale inside the meter. A hydrometer is a tool used to measure specific gravity.
Does a refractometer measure freezing point?
The refractometer (Fig. 1) allows rapid and accurate check of freezing points of coolants and heat-transfer media based on ethylene glycol and propylene glycol by reading from the respective scales (Fig. 2).
What Is a Refractometer?
A refractometer is used to determine a concentration of a particular substance within a given solution. It operates based on the principle of refraction. When rays of light pass from one medium into another, they are bent either toward or away from a normal line between the two media.
An example for How to Use a Refractometer
As an example, refractive light can be used to determine the sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration/salinity in a brine solution. For each percent salinity value, there is a corresponding angle of refraction. That angle of refraction is converted to percent salinity. This percentage is the concentration of NaCl in the brine solution.
How to Use a Refractometer: Simplified Measurement Method
Using a dropper pipette, transfer one or two drops of room temperature water to the prism (clear glass) of the refractometer and close the cover plate. The sample must spread all over the prism surface.
How to Use a Refractometer: Concentration Control
Use of a 0 to 10 or a 0 to 32 refractometer is suggested to manage coolant concentration. Use the control chart for the coolant in question to determine the appropriate refractometer reading for the concentration that you desire. If a coolant control chart is not available use the refractometer factor to determine the concentration of the fluid.
How to Use a Refractometer: Various Scales
Calibrate the refractometer with a standard solution before use. Since the reading will be affected by temperature changes, it is best to calibrate at the temperature of the test environment. If this is not possible, correction charts may be used.
How to correct temperature on a refractometer?
Some refractometers have automatic temperature correction (ATC), a feature that allows the instrument to automatically correct for temperature differences. Place a small amount of liquid (usually 2–5 drops) on the prism and secure the cover plate. This will evenly distribute the liquid on the prism. Point the prism end of the refractometer toward ...
What is a refractometer?
A refractometer is used to determine a concentration of a particular substance within a given solution. It operates based on the principle of refraction. When rays of light pass from one medium into another, they are bent either toward or away from a normal line between the two media.
What is the refractive light used to measure?
As an example, refractive light can be used to determine the sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration/salinity in a brine solution. For each percent salinity value, there is a corresponding angle of refraction. That angle of refraction is converted to percent salinity. This percentage is the concentration of NaCl in the brine solution. To make the conversion easier, refractometers are available with scales that are calibrated to read the desired value, in this case, percent salinity.
Why is angle of refraction important?
The angle of refraction is dependent on the composition of the media and on the temperature . This composition dependency is what makes refractometers so useful. As the concentration of a particular compound in a solution increases, so does the degree to which the light is bent. Also, it is important to determine the temperature ...
What is a hand held refractometer?
Handheld Digital Refractometer Digital refractometers require a drop of the tested solution to be placed in a well. That well is illuminated by a light source, usually an LED light and the meter interprets the light transmission into refractive index or whatever unit of measure the instrument is programmed to read.
What is the angle between the normal ray and the incident ray?
The angle between the normal ray and the incident ray is called the angle of incidence. The angle between the normal ray and the refracted ray is called the angle of refraction. The Figure below demonstrates this using a pencil resting in a container of water.
Can a refractometer be calibrated?
Calibrate the refractometer with a standard solution before use. Since the reading will be affected by temperature changes, it is best to calibrate at the temperature of the test environment. If this is not possible, correction charts may be used.
What is the best refractometer for coolant?
Use of a 0 to 10 or a 0 to 32 refractometer is suggested to manage coolant concentration. Use the control chart for the coolant in question to determine the appropriate refractometer reading for the concentration that you desire. If a coolant control chart is not available use the refractometer factor to determine the concentration of the fluid. If not factor or control chart are available contact your sales representative on how to determine your coolant concentration.
How to determine the concentration of a coolant?
The concentration of a coolant, cleaner or other aqueous solution is usually determined in the field with the use of a handheld refractometer. The range of the refractometer must cover that expected by the diluted solution. If the dilute solution is too concentrated for the refractometer that is being used a further dilution ...
How to use a dropper pipette?
Using a dropper pipette, transfer one or two drops of room temperature water to the prism (clear glass) of the refractometer and close the cover plate. The sample must spread all over the prism surface.
How does a refractometer work?
How a Refractometer Works. When light enters a liquid it changes direction; this is called refraction. Refractometers measure the degree to which the light changes direction, called the angle of refraction. A refractometer takes the refraction angles and correlates them to refractive index (nD) values that have been established.
What is a refractometer?
A refractometer is a simple instrument used for measuring concentrations of aqueous solutions. It requires only a few drops of liquid, and is used throughout the food, agricultural, chemical, and manufacturing industries.
Which has a greater refractive index: solution or prism?
For example, solutions have different refractive indexes depending on their concentration in water. The prism in the refractometer has a greater refractive index than the solution. Measurements are read at the point where the prism and solution meet.
How Can I Test For Glycol?
Using an instrument called a refractometer. It will display the freeze point of the glycol solution and then you can refer to the chart below to determine the percentage of glycol in the sample. Glycol makes closed loop water feel very slippery and it becomes sticky as the water dries. We recommend using ethylene or propylene glycol at 50% by volume. This will afford a freeze protection to -25° F (below zero).The table below will help you calculate how much glycol your system will require.
How does the glycol protect the loop from freezing?
Pure water freezes at 32° F, but a 60% solution of ethylene glycol pushes the freeze point down to -60° F. While the freeze point of pure glycol is only -39° F, the synergy between glycol and water results in a much lower freezing point. This is very important for closed loop systems that may be exposed to freezing conditions.
What Is The Difference Between Ethylene & Propylene Glycol?
Both types of glycol will provide adequate freeze protection in most systems. Ethylene glycol is the industry standard for closed loop freeze protection and is the product we use in most applications. Where food or potable water contact may be a concern, specify propylene glycol.
Does The Glycol Protect The Metal In My Systems?
The glycol in a system does not protect any metal from corrosion. It is only the corrosion inhibitors that are added to the glycol that protect the metal. Glycol will not affect plastic but will affect aluminum (above about 150°F) and galvanized steel. The zinc in the galvanizing will react with most inhibitors and cause loss of the zinc coating leading to localized corrosion.
How Often Do I Need To Replace My Glycol?
The replacement cycle for glycol depends on the environment in which it is used. If the glycol is exposed to high temperatures (>250°F) or has significant amount of contamination, the cycle will be far more frequent. It’s likely that a truly closed loop with no makeup can go for years without changing glycol. However, glycol will break down to glycolic acid over time and will require changing.
Can I Add Specific Chardon Treatment To Loops Already Containing Inhibited Glycol?
Yes, however if the loop contains one of the special Dow brand glycols, additional inhibitors are not required. Many times the “green” colored glycol will benefit from addition of inhibitors.
What happens to glycol during a burst?
The “slush” period is termed burst protection. As the temperature continues to decrease, the glycol begins to freeze. Unlike water which expands when it freezes, glycol contracts when it freezes. Therefore, when the glycol freezes, the volume in the system actually decreases.
How to calibrate a refractometer?
Look into the eyepiece and read the scale. To calibrate, just make sure the prism is clean and place a few drops of tap water on the prism. The separation line should be on zero.
What is the refractive index of a refractometer?
However, many semi-synthetics, synthetics, grinding fluids, and some soluble oils can have a refractive index from 1.5 to 3. So a refractometer reading of 5 multiplied by an index of 1.75 = 8.75% concentration. This is most critical with solutions designed to be run at lower concentrations which have high indexes.
