LimsPulse
Petroleum testing

Flash Point Tester (Pensky-Martens Closed Cup)

Heats a fuel or oil in a closed brass cup while stirring and dips a small flame or electric igniter into the vapour space at set intervals. The lowest temperature at which the vapour flashes is the flash point, a key safety and quality property.

  • Petroleum refining
  • Fuel terminals and depots
  • Lubricant blending
  • Marine fuel testing
  • Biodiesel production
  • Power utilities (transformer oil)
  • Independent testing laboratories
Photo of a Flash Point Tester (Pensky-Martens Closed Cup)
Photo: Sirflashpoint, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

Maintenance checklist

Each test

  • Clean and dry cup, lid, shutter and stirrer
  • Check the flame size against the gauge bead, or check igniter glow
  • Wipe spilled sample from the heater

Weekly

  • Check the shutter moves freely and closes fully
  • Inspect gas tubing and connections
  • Check the flash detector is clean and correctly positioned

Monthly / per SOP

  • Run a certified reference material or check standard and plot it on a control chart
  • Compare the barometer with a reference barometer

Annual

  • Calibrate the temperature sensor against a traceable reference
  • Check cup dimensions and lid fit for wear
  • Service and test the fire detection and suppression system
  • Preventive maintenance by the supplier
SAFETY

Safety precautions

Before you work on the PMCC tester
  • Fuels and their vapours are flammable. Keep sample containers closed, small and away from the heater; store bulk samples in a flammables cabinet.
  • Test in a draught-free position but in a well-ventilated room; switch extraction back on after the test to clear vapours.
  • Keep a CO₂ or dry powder extinguisher and a fire blanket at the tester. Never use water on an oil fire.
  • Make sure the automatic fire detection and suppression system works and is never bypassed.
  • Check gas connections for leaks with soapy water, never with a flame; shut the gas valve when not in use.
  • The cup, heater and sample are hot. Use heat-resistant gloves and let the cup cool before handling.
  • Never leave a running test unattended. If a fire persists, cut power and gas and close the lid if it is safe to do so.
  • Wear safety glasses, a flame-resistant lab coat and chemical-resistant gloves; read the SDS of each product tested.
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management

Keep every PMCC tester in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.

See how