Product specifications

2
Velcon’s VCA and icount products use
technology based on proven principles
of light obscuration, refraction and
light scattering.
PARTICLE COUNTERS ICOUNT
Particle counters, also known as
Automatic particle counters (APC)
measure the size and concentration
of contaminants in fluids. Particle
counters make use of a technology
called light obscuration. All particle
counters measure the size of
particulates in microns (1 millionth of
a meter).
Fluid is directed through a small
chamber in the sensor called a flow
cell. Light is passed through this
chamber at 90 degrees to the fuel
stream. Placed on the opposite side
of the light source is a light sensitive
detector. When a particle in the
fluid stream passes the light source,
it obscures the light from reaching
the detector. This lack of light (or
shadow created by the particle) can
be measured and counted by the
detector.
Parker’s experience in developing laser light
obscuration or blockage and applying that
technology in portable particle counting
and detection is what makes Parker’s range
of icount contamination analysers so very
special.
APC’s have been widely used for many years
in condition monitoring. However, it is only
recently that APC’s have become flexible
enough to enable the instruments to be
taken out of the laboratory and used on-line
in order to obtain the most credible form of
results. Portability also allows for use over a
wider range of applications and situations.
Parker has developed technology to ensure
the APC was able to test a sample without
the conventional laboratory technique
which requires dilution - a practice that
would have been simply impossible with a
portable unit.
By careful design and window sizing,
gravimetric levels as high as 310mg of dirt
per litre, (equivalent to up to 4 million
particles >6 micron per 100 ml), can be
achieved without making the instrument
susceptible to counter saturation
These high saturation point on-line APC’s,
whilst losing none of the accuracy of their
laboratory counterparts, enable particle
counting to be carried out quickly and
accurately.
Proven Laser Detection Technology
Accurate and reliable detection of contaminants
Fig 1. In simple terms a controlled column
of contaminated fluid enters the laser
optical scanner chamber. This design
maintains contamination distribution within
the fluid.
Fig 2. On reaching the photo diode cell,
the highly accurate laser light is applied
and projected through that oil column.
The laser diode projects an image of the
sample onto a photo diode cell.
Fig 3. A cast image or shadow created
by the contaminant in the oil creates a
measurable change in the light intensity.
Laser
Source
Photo
Detector
FUEL
Solid
Particulates
Water