Indicator tubes for petroleum-product analysis

An indicator tube is a column-packed sorbent in a sealed glass or polymer body. A known volume of the petroleum sample is passed through the sorbent; the target component is selectively adsorbed by the indicator layer, forming a visible zone — the zone length is directly proportional to the mass fraction of the analyte. Depending on the indicator chemistry the zone is visible in either daylight or under ultraviolet light.

Detection limits and measurement accuracy are on par with classical laboratory methods — but without the need for a fixed laboratory. This removes the «truck the sample to the lab and wait a day» bottleneck, particularly for remote fuel depots, airfields and pipeline facilities.

The production range covers eight tube types (see the table below). Pick the model that matches the analyte and concentration window of the task.