When it comes to viscosity measurement, the Hydramotion Viscolite is “always there” for Flow Assurance consultants AsphWax, Inc. of Stafford, TX.

AsphWax, Inc. provides oil and gas operators with innovative solutions to asphaltene, wax and hydrate problems.  The company offers technical advice, flow assurance simulation and laboratory services to industry engineers worldwide, while the KostaTech division manufactures and markets a series of state-of-the-art asphaltene, wax, emulsion and hydrate inhibitors, dispersants and solvents under the InSol brand.

In their highly specialised laboratory, AsphWax need to be able to measure the viscosity of petrochemical samples quickly and easily.  Dissatisfied with sensors that were vulnerable to breaking or failure, AsphWax wanted a sturdy, reliable viscometer, and the Viscolite VL700-HP gave them just what they were looking for.

“We chose the Viscolite because of its simplicity and ease of measurement combined with good accuracy,” says Flow Assurance Advisor Dr. Kosta Leontaritis, President and CEO of AsphWax, Inc.

Viscolite operation is quick and easy.  The instrument is factory-calibrated to traceable international standards, so no calibration or set-up is required.  Maintenance is negligible, as the sensor is a solid, all-welded 316 stainless steel probe with no moving parts or delicate accessories.  The probe is simply dipped into the sample and the measured viscosity is immediately displayed on the read-out unit.  After use, the probe can be wiped clean in seconds.

An integrated temperature probe enables temperature-corrected readings to be taken instantly.  Outputs include an RS232 or RS422/485 serial link and a fully configurable 4 - 20 mA analogue signal representing either “live” viscosity or temperature-corrected viscosity.

“We strongly recommend the Viscolite for atmospheric viscosity applications,” says Dr. Leontaritis.  “It is a reliable, simple and rugged instrument.  It is always there.”