Industrial filtration solutions supplier Filtration Management Solutions (FMS) has had an overwhelmingly positive international response to the PCM500 fluid cleanliness monitor, which uses unique filter mesh technology, since its introduction last year.

The PCM500 was developed by filtration equipment manufacturer Pall Corporation in conjunction with UK-based fluid cleanliness solutions manufacturer Industrial Monitoring Solutions in December. “Market interest in the product has been so good that, in the UK, we are experiencing a backlog of orders on the units,” says FMS GM Steven Whitcher.

He explains that the device monitors contamination levels in mineral, synthetic and water-based fluids to provide a three-part ISO 4406 cleanliness code in under six minutes, which can be uploaded directly to mobile devices for analysis.

The system provides a measurement of fluid cleanliness, temperature, viscosity and water content. This enables companies to monitor the success of filtration units in fluid systems and implement corrective or preventive action quickly if any deviations from the norm are detected.

Whitcher notes that the proven mesh blockage technology ensures accurate readings of contamination in the fluid, and that the results of other automatic particle counters on the market that use laser optical technology can be affected by water, air and dark fluids.

“Pall’s patented mesh blockage technology is unique in its use of a filter mesh to analyse the particle contamination. As a result, the sample being tested needs little, if any, preparation and the reading is unaffected by water, air and dark fluids.”

The reliability of the results is further bolstered by a self-cleaning procedure that occurs between each reading.

The system is compact, robust, self-contained and portable, which makes it suitable for permanent installation on critical applications or for use as a portable device for routine condition monitoring of various systems. The PCM500 is also designed with a user-friendly colour touch-screen interface.

FMS, a subsidiary of industrial filtration solutions group Applied Filtration Services, is the authorised filtration, separation and purification field services provider for Pall Corporation in South Africa. The company offers turnkey solutions, with 24-hour technical support and on-site oil monitoring services.

Whitcher notes that South African response to the PCM500 has been very pleasing, with the device already successfully implemented at several of State-owned power utility Eskom’s power stations, as well as at numerous other sites for oil and fuel companies.

“The use of the three-part ISO 4406 cleanliness code in the PCM500 is a subtle improvement from previous models with a significant impact, as it offers a much more accurate estimate of contamination. “The new design is also more compact than previous models and the high-definition screen can display real-time data and test results, which are then stored for subsequent trending and evaluation,” highlights Whitcher.

FMS’s oil monitoring services also includes a live Web-based reporting portal where end-users can view and analyse their oil condition on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis. The company also offers a rent-to-own purchase option on all Pall mobile filtration, separations, purification and oil analysis equipment.

This also includes a guaranteed buy-back value at the end of the contract term, effectively resulting in an interest-free purchase. Whitcher stresses that this option offers many advantages such as fixed repair and maintenance costs over the term of the contract and fixed prices on filter elements and other consumables.