ATF Lubricity Test Rig for Oil Fuel and Petroleum Testing Instruments

The Automated Flocculation Titrimeter (AFT) is designed to evaluate the colloidal stability and compatibility of asphalt, heavy oils, petroleum residua, crude oils, and their blends. The system determines the flocculation point at which asphaltenes begin to precipitate and calculates Heithaus compatibility parameters using controlled titration procedures.

During testing, the sample is dissolved in toluene at specified concentrations and titrated with iso-octane or n-heptane under controlled temperature conditions. An integrated fiber-optic spectrometer detects the flocculation point spectroscopically, while the data acquisition software analyzes the results to determine blending insolubility and solubility numbers.

The instrument operates as a closed system at temperatures from 20°C to 100°C, supporting accurate and reproducible measurements while reducing operator-dependent endpoint interpretation. Its expanded titration methods also provide data for calculating the WRI Coking Index, which helps estimate the proximity to coke formation during heavy oil processing.

Manufactured by Atico Export for advanced petroleum stability analysis, crude oil compatibility assessment, and heavy oil process optimization in research and refining laboratories.

• Evaluation of asphaltene flocculation and precipitation
• Determination of colloidal stability in heavy oils and petroleum residua
• Compatibility testing of crude oils and asphalt blends
• Assessment of aged and pyrolyzed asphalt
• Calculation of Heithaus compatibility parameters
• Determination of blending insolubility and solubility numbers
• Evaluation of solubility parameters for whole oils and asphaltenes
• Estimation of coking tendency during heavy oil distillation
• Support for blending, shipping, storage, and refining decisions

Temperature Range :

• 20°C to 100°C

Measurement Principle :

• Automated titration with spectroscopic flocculation-point detection

Titration Solvents :

• Toluene
• Iso-octane
• n-Heptane

Detection System :

• Fiber-optic spectrometer with multi-bandpass detector

Temperature Control :

• Programmable circulator with external probe for monitoring sample jacket temperature

Sample Circulation :

• Digital variable sample circulator with built-in reverse function

Pumping System :

• High- and low-flow-rate metering pumps

Data Acquisition :

• External desktop PC with data acquisition software

Standard Accessories / System Components :

• External desktop PC with data acquisition software
• Fiber-optic spectrometer with multi-bandpass detector
• High- and low-flow-rate metering pumps
• Magnetic stirring plates
• Programmable circulator with external temperature probe
• Reaction vessels
• Quartz flow cell with temperature stability feature
• Glassware
• Thermometer probes
• Digital variable sample circulator with built-in reverse function

• Fully automated flocculation titration system
• Integrated data acquisition and analysis
• Rapid, accurate, and reproducible measurements
• Closed-system operation with controlled temperature
• Spectroscopic detection of the flocculation endpoint
• Reduced operator error in endpoint interpretation
• Multiple programmable titration schemes
• Automated calculation of asphaltene concentration
• Determines blending insolubility and solubility numbers
• Generates data for calculating the WRI Coking Index
• Supports crude oil and asphalt compatibility assessment
• Designed to help evaluate coking and fouling risks during heavy oil processing