RDE-OES Dual Optic Elemental Analyzer – QualiRDE™ 2000
The QualiRDE™ 2000 RDE-OES Dual Optic Elemental Analyzer provides maintenance teams and analytical laboratories with a fast and reliable solution for measuring wear metals, contaminants, and additive elements in lubricating oils and related fluids. Designed for direct oil analysis, it operates without support gases, chemical reagents, or sample pretreatment, helping laboratories achieve faster turnaround times while maintaining consistent condition-monitoring results.
Built on Rotating Disc Electrode Optical Emission Spectroscopy (RDE-OES) technology, the QualiRDE™ 2000 integrates a high-energy arc excitation source, rotating graphite disc and rod electrode assembly, Paschen-Runge optical system, CCD-based measurement and control platform, and dedicated elemental analysis software. This configuration enables accurate determination of both dissolved and suspended trace elements in synthetic and mineral-based lubricants.
The analyzer is engineered for quantitative trace element analysis in lubricating oils, hydraulic fluids, fuels, and similar industrial fluids. It supports machine condition monitoring, lubricant performance assessment, additive package tracking, and contamination detection, allowing laboratories to obtain actionable data without extensive sample preparation. Samples can be analyzed directly from a sample cup, simplifying routine testing procedures and increasing laboratory productivity.
The QualiRDE™ 2000 combines a high-performance CCD optical platform with an integrated industrial control computer, dual optical systems, dual fiber-optic inputs, and constant-temperature optical stabilization for enhanced measurement consistency. Proprietary spectral analysis software provides comprehensive data management, trend monitoring, reporting, and predictive analysis tools, helping users identify equipment wear patterns and fluid condition changes with confidence.
RDE-OES Dual Optic Elemental Analyzer - QualiRDE™ 2000 Applications
Predictive Maintenance
The QualiRDE™ 2000 supports predictive maintenance programs by tracking wear metals such as iron, copper, chromium, and aluminum at low concentration levels. This capability helps maintenance teams identify abnormal wear patterns in bearings, gears, pistons, and other critical components before failures occur. The analyzer provides valuable data for condition-based maintenance and equipment reliability initiatives.
Lubricant Condition Monitoring
The system enables routine monitoring of additive elements including zinc, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium in lubricants. By tracking additive depletion and fluid condition, laboratories can estimate lubricant service life, optimize oil change intervals, and improve maintenance planning while maintaining equipment performance.
Contamination Detection and Control
The QualiRDE™ 2000 quickly identifies contamination indicators such as silicon, sodium, and coolant-related elements. This helps detect dirt ingress, water contamination, coolant leaks, and other unwanted substances that can accelerate equipment wear and reduce operational efficiency.
Multi-Fluid Elemental Analysis
The analyzer is suitable for elemental analysis across a wide range of fluids, including new and in-service lubricating oils, hydraulic fluids, gasoline, diesel fuel, heavy fuel oils, greases, antifreeze, industrial water, and steam turbine condensate. Its versatility makes it a valuable solution for industrial, transportation, energy, and maintenance laboratories.
High-Throughput Laboratory Testing
Designed for fast sample processing, the QualiRDE™ 2000 delivers elemental analysis results in less than 30 seconds. Direct sample testing without gas support, reagents, or pretreatment helps increase laboratory productivity and supports high-volume testing environments, including commercial laboratories, industrial maintenance facilities, aviation operations, and military monitoring programs.
Standards Compliance
The QualiRDE™ 2000 RDE-OES Dual Optic Elemental Analyzer is designed to support elemental analysis workflows in accordance with internationally recognized industry standards for oil and fuel testing:
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ASTM D6595 – Standard Test Method for the Determination of Wear Metals, Contaminants, and Additive Elements in Used Lubricating Oils and Hydraulic Fluids by Rotating Disc Electrode Atomic Emission Spectrometry (RDE-AES). This standard is widely used for machinery condition monitoring, lubricant evaluation, and predictive maintenance programs.
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ASTM D6728 – Standard Test Method for the Determination of Contaminants in Gas Turbine and Diesel Engine Fuels by Rotating Disc Electrode Atomic Emission Spectrometry (RDE-AES). This method supports the detection of trace metallic contaminants that can affect fuel quality, equipment performance, and operational reliability.
RDE-OES Dual Optic Elemental Analyzer - QualiRDE™ 2000 Features
Simultaneous Multi-Element Analysis
The QualiRDE™ 2000 performs simultaneous analysis of up to 24 elements as standard, with expansion capability to 32 elements, enabling wear metals, contaminants, and additive elements to be measured in a single test.
Wide Measurement Range
The analyzer offers measurement ranges of 0–1000 ppm for 19 elements and 0–6000 ppm for 5 elements, supporting both trace-level wear detection and higher-concentration additive monitoring.
Advanced CCD Optical System
A high-performance CCD-based optical system with a 3648-pixel high-resolution solid-state sensor delivers enhanced spectral detection, accurate elemental measurement, and consistent analytical performance.
Dual Optical Path Technology
The instrument features a dual optical configuration that combines Rowland Circle optics and a C-T optical path, together with dual fiber-optic inputs for stable signal transmission and improved analytical flexibility.
Direct Sample Testing
Oil samples can be analyzed directly without support gases, chemical reagents, or sample pretreatment, helping streamline laboratory workflows and reduce operating costs.
High-Resolution Optical Design
A 500 mm focal length optical system provides high-resolution spectral analysis, supporting precise identification and quantification of elemental concentrations.
Wide Spectral Coverage
Broad spectral range capability enables comprehensive multi-element analysis across lubricants, fuels, hydraulic fluids, and related industrial samples.
Temperature-Controlled Optics
The optical chamber is maintained at 38°C ± 0.1°C, helping ensure measurement consistency, long-term stability, and reliable analytical results.
Rapid Analysis Time
Each test is completed in 30 seconds or less, allowing laboratories to process large sample volumes efficiently and improve turnaround times.
Trace-Level Detection Capability
Detection limits below 1 ppm make the analyzer suitable for identifying early-stage wear, contamination, and additive depletion.
Minimal Sample Volume Requirement
Only approximately 2 mL of sample is required for analysis, reducing sample consumption while maintaining reliable results.
Built-In Electrode Grinder
An integrated graphite electrode grinder simplifies routine maintenance and helps maintain consistent analytical performance.
Printer Support
Printer functionality is available for convenient report generation, data recording, and on-site documentation.
Integrated Industrial Control Computer
The built-in industrial control computer supports standalone operation and provides a convenient platform for instrument control and data processing.
Cross-Contamination Reduction Design
An integrated exhaust system helps minimize cross-contamination during testing, contributing to dependable analytical results.
Trend Analysis and Predictive Diagnostics
Proprietary spectral analysis software includes data management, trend monitoring, and predictive evaluation tools that assist users in assessing equipment condition and identifying developing issues.
Patented Digital Arc Excitation Source
A patented solid-state digital arc source delivers stable constant-current frequency output, improving excitation consistency and reducing routine maintenance requirements.
Windows-Based Operating Software
The Windows-compatible software integrates instrument control, data management, qualitative assessment, and quantitative elemental analysis within a single platform.
Compact Desktop Configuration
The computer system and electrode grinder are integrated into a compact desktop unit, reducing footprint requirements and improving portability.
Fast Startup and Field-Ready Operation
Short warm-up time and suitability for demanding operating environments make the QualiRDE™ 2000 a practical solution for laboratory, industrial, and field-support applications.
Theory and Method
Rotating Disc Electrode Optical Emission Spectroscopy (RDE-OES) is an elemental analysis technique that determines the concentration of metallic elements by measuring the characteristic light emitted when atoms are excited by a high-energy electrical discharge. In oil analysis applications, the method is widely used to identify and quantify wear metals, contaminants, and additive elements, providing valuable information for equipment condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and lubricant performance evaluation.
The QualiRDE™ 2000 RDE-OES Dual Optic Elemental Analyzer utilizes a rotating graphite disc electrode and rod electrode assembly combined with a high-energy arc excitation source to generate atomic emission from the sample. The emitted light is collected and processed through an advanced optical system featuring a Paschen-Runge design, Rowland Circle optics, dual optical paths, and dual fiber-optic signal inputs. A high-resolution CCD detector captures the spectral information, enabling accurate multi-element analysis across a broad wavelength range.
Designed for efficient routine testing, the QualiRDE™ 2000 analyzes oil samples directly without support gases, chemical reagents, or sample pretreatment. This streamlined approach reduces preparation time, improves laboratory productivity, and supports rapid screening of lubricants, hydraulic fluids, fuels, and other industrial fluids. Combined with advanced spectral analysis software, the system delivers reliable elemental data for wear monitoring, contamination detection, additive tracking, and overall fluid condition assessment.
RDE-OES Dual Optic Elemental Analyzer - QualiRDE™ 2000 Technical Specification
| Parameter |
QualiRDE™ 2000 |
| Model |
QualiRDE™ 2000 |
| Analytical Method |
RDE-OES / Rotating Disc Electrode Optical Emission Spectrometer |
| Applicable Standards |
ASTM D6595, ASTM D6728 |
| Voltage |
AC 220 V ±10%, 50–60 Hz; 110 V also available |
| Ambient Temperature |
0°C to 55°C |
| Test Time |
30 s |
| Optical Structure |
Paschen-Runge structure, Rowland circle device |
| Optical Focal Length |
500 mm |
| Spectral Range |
200–800 nm |
| Detector |
CCD |
| Detection Limit |
<1 ppm |
| Elements Detected |
Standard 24 elements, expandable up to 32 |
| Dimensions |
660 × 360 × 520 mm |
| Instrument Weight |
64 kg |
| Sample Volume |
About 2 mL |
| Optical Temperature Control |
38°C ± 0.1°C |
| Built-in Components |
Electrode grinder, integrated industrial control computer, printer availability |
Standard Element Configuration
| Element Group |
Range |
| 19 elements: Al, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Mo, Ni, Si, Ag, Na, Sn, Ti, V, Fe, K, Li, Sb |
0–1000 ppm |
| 5 elements: Ba, Ca, Mg, P, Zn |
0–6000 ppm |
