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Filtertechnik Ltd, a UK-based provider of oil and fuel condition monitoring equipment, has announced the launch of its Fuel Quality Monitor instrument.

The product is an expansion of its Particle Pal line of products.

Manufactured in the UK, the Fuel Quality Monitor is a field instrument that is being marketed as "a self-contained 'lab in a box' field kit that accurately evaluates the density of the fuel passing through it in real time". Fuel can be sampled from a live delivery via access points or from a sample bottle. It also has its own rechargeable battery and internal pump.

In addition, fuel passes through a laser particle counter and water sensor to give both water content and an ISO cleanliness code of the fuel being measured. The density sensor is said to be able to detect a 1 percent addition of a foreign substance such as kerosene being added to diesel.

Commenting on the product, Richard Price, MD of Filtertechnik Ltd, said: "The return on investment is very high, a single fuel delivery that is found to be out of specification or has been tampered with could pay for the Fuel Quality Monitor immediately.

"This product adds to our growing line of oil and fuel analysis instruments and is expected to sell in large numbers."

Explaining some of the key reasons to purchase the product, Filtertechnik said: "Delivered fuel can often be out of specification for various reasons. It is not uncommon for diesel, gas oils or bunker fuels to be tampered with or have a substitute added such as kerosene or even water to make up the volume.

"This is a particular problem in emerging African Nations where fuel theft is common. When diesel for example, is required to fuel critical jobs such as standby power generation in hospitals, data centres and large buildings, then the quality of the fuel is critical to the performance of the generators. Substandard fuel or fuel that has been tampered with can cause catastrophic engine failures."