Fall 1998
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Tannas foam test equipment increases safety, efficiency

The Tannas Foam Air Bath (TFAB) shown below was developed to improve the safety, efficiency, and precision of ASTM tests for foaming characteristics of lubricating oils (D 892 and D 6082). Compared to the liquid bath, there are several advantages in using the Tannas air bath, especially at 150°C.

The TFAB removes the danger associated with an operator handling slippery glass cylinders in extremely hot oil. It is less messy and faster to use. Also, where discoloration of the bath oil due to oxidation at high temperatures can produce inaccurate readings in a liquid bath, the Tannas air bath allows for clear readings at any temperature.

The TFAB has numerous other features that make it easy to operate. It is relatively compact, standing only 20" high, allowing the operator easy access to the removable six-position carousel at the top of the cabinet. The carousel can be rotated for accurate reading of the foam levels, and there is a built-in drying rack for the glass cylinders.

The TFAB also contains a programmable PLC Function Controller that displays a variety of operator commands and signals the operator when it is time to make a measurement. This is important in that it allows an operator to perform other tasks during a test run, while ensuring that readings will not be missed.