The “Cou-Lo” series of

coulometric Karl Fischer titrators

George Robertson
General Manager
G.R. Scientific Ltd.

12/07/21 1
The “Cou-Lo” Series
Cou-Lo Trans Cou-Lo Select Cou-Lo Compact
 About Us.

 U.K. Karl Fischer manufacturer

 Specialising in the design and manufacture of

laboratory and field based (portable) coulometric Karl
Fischer instrumentation

 Internationally recognised experts in coulometric Karl

Fischer titration technology
KF Titration Cell Differences

VOLUMETRIC COULOMETRIC
Burette Detector Generator Detector
Why Have Two Different KF Methods?

 Volumetric KF usually used for:

High water content > 10%.

 Coulometric KF better suited for:

Low water content 1ppm – 10%.
Advantages of Coulometric KF
 Fast analysis: most analysed in < 1min

 Low reagent usage: multiple samples can be

analysed with a single charge of reagent which
means less waste and less handling of
chemicals, good news for Health and Safety

 Simple operation: no need for a chemist

 No reagent calibration
Analysis of Petroleum Products

 ASTM D1533, D4928, D6304, IP 386 and API MPMS

chapter 10.9, stipulate that: Karl Fischer anode
reagent should be mixed 60:40 with xylene

 Intended to improve sample miscibility and limit

problems with the generator electrode due to waxy
deposits and asphaltines dropping out of the sample
Problems with Petroleum Products

 Modification of the reagent

and addition of oil samples
affects the resistance and
capacitance of the titration cell
Why Is This a Problem?

 Coulometers work on fundamental law

10.71 coulombs will titrate 1mg of water

 When the resistance in the electrolysis cell is

increased the coulometer cannot operate correctly
and gives incorrect results, usually high.
What Is This Problem?
 Every coulometer has a maximum titration
current and count rate

 If the resistance in the cell is high it cannot

generate required current

 But it continues to count as if the required

current was being generated

THIS PRODUCES AN INCORRECT RESULT

What Happens at Present?
 The method states that the performance
of a coulometer should be monitored
after every 10 samples by injecting water
standard

 What if result is incorrect?

 Do you assume that all the previous

results are correct?

 Can you afford to make that

assumption?
A.C.E. Control
Automatically
Compensated
Errors

 Guarantees that the electrolysis current produced

and the count rate displayed are always correctly
synchronized, regardless of changes to the
electrolysis cell resistance

 At the heart of the “Cou-Lo” series of titrators

Advantages of ACE control
 Reduction in reagent consumption
– More cost effective
– Better conditions for personnel
 Most importantly -
The ACE control system

GUARANTEES THE CORRECT RESULT

The “Cou-Lo” Series
Cou-Lo Trans Cou-Lo Select Cou-Lo Compact
Cou-Lo Trans

Specifically designed for Transformer / Insulation oil

(Electricity / Power industries)
Advantages of Cou-Lo Trans

 Single button operation

– Pre-programmed, press start
– inject sample – read result

 Fully Portable moisture analyser

 So simple - anyone can monitor

transformer oil quality
- on-site, frequently, reliably,
quickly, cheaply
Target Industries / Applications

 Power generation industries

 Electricity / utility companies

 Main Applications:
– Transformer oil
– Insulating oil
Why is it important to test on site?
 British Standard BS 5730:2001

 “Experience has shown that moisture content

tests carried out properly on site may produce
results that are more reliable than those obtained
in a lab, because of possible changes during
long-distance transport and prolonged storage of
oil samples”
Some “Cou-Lo Trans” Users (UK)
 Aquila Networks
 British Energy
 High Voltage Maintenance
 National Grid
 Nth. Ireland Electricity
 Powergen
 South East Electricity
 Transoil Laboratory
 What if my sample has different density?

 The Cou-Lo Trans is pre-programmed for transformer

oil samples which have sample density of 0.875 and the
injected volume of sample is 1.0 ml.

 If samples are different densities, or customer wants to

inject different volumes, the Cou-Lo Select offers
greater flexibility.
Cou-Lo Select

Offers more flexibility

Why Do I Need Cou-lo Select?

 Increased flexibility

 Can analyse a wider range of

samples

 Allows selection of different

– Volumes
– Densities
– Weights
– Result formats
– Delay times
Target Applications

 Crude oils
 Petroleum products
 Lube oils
 Brake fluids
 Hydraulic fluids
Some “Cou-Lo Select” Users (UK)
 Shell Expro
 Core Laboratories
 Expro North Sea
 ABB Vetco Gray
 Total Fina Elf
 Innogy
 Talisman Energy
Trans & Select -Truly Portable

 Carry case

 Built in printer

 Built in battery

 Car adapter

 Moisture tight low drift cell

 All standard
Low Drift Cell (LDC)

 Specifically designed for

outdoor use

 Unique dual lock system

– Ground glass joint
– Tight seal screw caps

 Anti stick joints (no grease

required)
What if I don’t need portability?

 Cou-Lo Trans & Select are fully portable, carry

case, battery operation, special glassware, etc.

 I just want a KF titrator for use in the lab.

Cou-Lo Compact
Cou-Lo Compact concept

Complete water analysis

workstation
 Titrator, cell, printer, and
accessories
Designed for the QC & Research
laboratory
 Fully programmable memory,
multiple method storage,
highly accurate
Truly Versatile
 Suitable for liquids, gases
and solids. Can be linked to
KF vaporising oven
 What parameters can I programme?
 Recall Method 10 method files in memory
 Sample ID Number 6 digits
 Result Format ug, ppm, mg/kg, %
 Calculation Mode V/SG, W/w, W/K, V/v
 Printer Mode Off, every result, full report
 Statistics Print Min, mean & Max, upto 99 runs
 Print Drift On / Off
 Start Delay Time 0 - 30 minutes
 Min. Titration Time 0 - 30 minutes
 End Sensitivity 0 - 9 seconds
 Beep Mode Off, every result, end titration, both
 Language 6 languages
Some “Cou-Lo” Users (UK)

 Alcan  General Motors

 Alstom Transport  Innogy
 BAE Systems  Mobil Exxon
 British Gas  National Refrigerants
 Davy Process  Pirelli Cables
 Domino UK  Romil
 Drax Power  Total Fina Elf
 EDF Energy  Vickers Systems
Summary
 Trans Fully portable, carry case, LDC, etc.
Pre-programmed for transformer oil samples which have density
of 0.875 and injected volume of 1.0 ml.

 Select Offers increased versatility. Allows selection of

different sample volumes, densities, weights, result format, delay
times.

 Compact Fully programmable memory, multiple method

storage, low cost, versatile, small footprint.
Ideal for routine and research laboratories.
The “Cou-Lo” Series
Cou-Lo Trans Cou-Lo Select Cou-Lo Compact
Who are the competitors?
 Metrohm

 Mitsubishi

 Mettler
Metrohm 737
 Old style
 Modular
 Full keypad
 Non transportable
(no battery or carry
case option)
 Only useful in a lab
Metrohm 756
 Updated version

 Too modular

 Full keypad

 Non transportable (no

battery or carry case
option)

 Only useful in a lab

Mitsubishi CA20/21

 Compact unit
 Sample data input
required
 Very expensive spare
parts
 Carry case, battery
and printer. Options
NOT standard
Mitsubishi CA20/21

 Optional carry case

 Optional battery

 Optional printer

 All at extra cost

Mitsubishi CA-100
 Sylish but complex

 Very expensive

 Full keypad

 Non transportable (no

battery or carry case
option)

 Only useful in a lab

Mettler DL 37
 Old design & large

 Poor cell position

 Full keypad

 Non transportable (no

battery or carry case
option)

 Only useful in a lab

Mettler DL 36
 Poor cell position

 Separate printer

 Full keypad

 Non transportable (no

battery or carry case
option)

 Only useful in a lab

HelpLine
 Sales Info. & Application Support
Contact: George Robertson
 Service & Electronic Info.
Contact: Graham Shorten
 Tel: +44 1525 404747
 Fax: +44 1525 404848
 Email: info@grscientific.com
The “Cou-Lo” Series
Cou-Lo Trans Cou-Lo Select Cou-Lo Compact