CONTROLLING COMPOSITION AND OXIDATION TESTS OF HYDROCARBON AND SYNTHETIC FLUIDS IN A THERMAL-ANALYSIS LABORATORY

Statistical quality control in the thermal analysis (TA) laboratory is an integral part of good laboratory management. The rate determining step in the analysis of production samples can be customer and/or supp lier/vendor input. The major task of a quality thermal analysis labora tory is satisfying the client with accurate and precise information. C ontrol charting oxidative properties in hydrocarbon fluids is a techni que to assure stability of the thermal analysis system. The compositio n of drain oils or the thermal stability of fluids can be ascertained by thermogravimetric methods. These procedures have been monitored wit h statistical process control charts. Special cause, ''out-of-control' ' cases, will be discussed. Laboratory management can be improved by k nowing the sample volume of completed thermal analysis tasks on a day- to-day or yearly basis. This information can be used to expand resourc es, such as automated (robotic) thermogravimetric analyzers, dual-samp le differential scanning calorimeters, or additional personnel.