Tanaka MPC-102A User manual

Mini-Pour/Cloud Point Tester
Model MPC-102A/102L
Instruction Manual
Ver.2.21 090120
Read this manual thoroughly before using the product,
and store in a safe place for future reference.
TANAKA SCIENTIFIC LTD, TOKYO, JAPAN

FOREWORD
Thank you for purchasing the Mini-Pour/Cloud Point Tester Model MPC-102A/102L from
Tanaka Scientific Limited.
This instruction manual provides necessary information for using the MPC-102A/102L.
Read this manual thoroughly before use and ensure that you have understood its
contents.
This manual employs the following precautionary notation. For your safety, ensure that
you understand these precautions and heed them at all times.
! WARNING：・・・・・・・・・・
Warnings indicate a significant risk of death or serious
physical injury if the information is ignored.
! CAUTION：・・・・・・・・・・
Cautions indicate a significant risk of physical injury or
property damage if the information is ignored.
USES
! Warning: Use the product only to measure pour points and cloud
points as prescribed under ASTM D6749 "Standard Test
Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products (Automatic
Air Pressure Method)" and ASTM D2500 "Standard Test
Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Products".
The product has automated test processes corresponding to those prescribed in ASTM
D6749 "Standard Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products (Automatic Air
Pressure Method)" and ASTM D2500 "Standard Test Method for Cloud Point of
Petroleum Products" for the purpose of obtaining pour points and cloud points only. This
product is not to be used for any other purpose.

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ABOUT THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL
● This manual is intended for all operators of the MPC-102A/102L.
The reader is assumed to have sufficient knowledge of ASTM procedures and
standards as well as knowledge of the correct handling procedures for hazardous
materials.
● The content this manual is subject to change without notice due to enhancements to
the performance and functionality of the instrument.
● If this manual is lost or damaged, contact Tanaka Scientific Limited or an authorized
distributor for a replacement copy.
● The contents of this manual have been thoroughly reviewed. If any pages are
missing, out of order, or the manual contains spelling, grammatical or descriptive
errors, please contact Tanaka Scientific Limited or an authorized distributor.
BEFORE USE
● Before using the product, ensure that you have read this manual thoroughly and
have understood all of the content. If you have any questions, be sure to contact
Tanaka Scientific Limited or an authorized distributor
● Keep this manual in a safe, easily accessible place.
● This product is to be used for its intended purpose only. Adhere strictly to all
procedures given in this manual.
● Ensure that you understand and abide by all warnings and cautions given in this
manual.

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WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS FOR SAFE USE
Failure to follow all of the warnings and cautions listed below may result in
damage to the instrument and/or serious personal injury. Tanaka Scientific
Limited will not assume any responsibility for faults or accidents arising from
failure to adhere to these instructions.
Installation Environment
! Warning: The instrument must be installed on a flat, sturdy surface
to prevent the instrument from falling over.
Coolant Circulation Piping
! Caution: Ensure that each joint in the coolant circulation piping is
securely fastened to prevent coolant leakage, as this may
result in instrument failure.
! Caution: Do not use methanol as cooling medium. O-ring of
solenoid valve may have damage and the unit will not work
correctly.
70% of ethylene glycol and 30% of distilled water mixture
will be the best for this unit.
Electrical Connection
! Warning: Observe the following instructions when handling power
cables and electric connections:
・ Do not connect or disconnect any cables or electrical
connections when the mains power is ON.
・ Do not handle any cables or electrical connections with
wet hands.
・ Be sure to use the plug to remove cables. Never use
the cord to pull a plug from an outlet.
・ Do not place heavy items on cords or cable.

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・ Do not use force to bend any cords or cables.
・ Ensure that all electric connections (plugs, sockets,
connectors, etc.) are free of dust.
・ Keep all cables and electrical connections free of water
and other liquids.
・ Failure to adhere to the above precautions may result in
electric shock, damage to the instrument, cords and/or
cables, and/or fire due to overheating.
! Warning: Ensure that supply voltage meets the specifications of the
product. Do not turn the power on until all electric
connections are secured. Incorrect power supply
specifications or loose electric connections may damage
the instrument and result in electric shock and/or other
electrical accidents.
! Warning: Ensure all ground wires are securely grounded.
Loose or disconnected ground wires may result in electric
shock.
Never connect ground wires to gas pipes, as this may
result in fire or an explosion.
Ground wires may be connected to one of the following:
・ Ground terminal of a power outlet
・ Copper bar buried 65 cm or more underground
・ Water pipes as authorized by your local water bureau
as a grounding object
Handling Precautions
! Caution: Never press the START key unless coolant is circulating
normally. Starting the unit with no coolant present may
damage the thermo-module that cools and heats the bath.
! Caution: Ensure that an approximate pour/cloud point is entered
prior to every test run. If an appropriate estimation is not

- 4 -
entered or the value entered is much greater than the
actual pour/cloud point, the testing procedure may be
prolonged or produce incorrect results.
Operational Precautions
! Warning: If the instrument makes any abnormal noises or exhibits
any abnormal behavior, stop operation immediately, turn
the power off at the mains, and contact Tanaka Scientific
Limited or an authorized distributor.
Consumables, Accessories and Replacement Parts
! Caution: Use only Tanaka Scientific Limited genuine consumables,
parts and accessories or such parts as recommended by
Tanaka Scientific Limited.
Repairs, Alterations and Maintenance
! Warning: Do not make any modifications or alterations to the
instrument without the approval of Tanaka Scientific
Limited.
! Warning: Do not attempt to repair the instrument yourself. In the
event that the instrument exhibits any abnormal behavior
whatsoever, contact Tanaka Scientific Limited or an
authorized distributor.
! Warning: Only Tanaka Scientific Limited service personnel or
authorized representatives are to repair or maintain the
instrument.

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Contents
FOREWORD..................................................................................................................................0
ABOUT THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL ........................................................................................1
BEFORE USE................................................................................................................................1
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS FOR SAFE USE ............................................................................2
Contents.........................................................................................................................................5
1. Section Names and Functions .............................................................................................6
2. Operational Principles..........................................................................................................8
3. Installation............................................................................................................................9
3.1. Installation Site .......................................................................................................................... 9
3.2. Connection of the Coolant Circulation Device (MPC-102L Only) .................................... 10
3.3. Electric Connections (See Fig. 4 on page 12) .................................................................... 10
4. Routine Daily Inspection ....................................................................................................13
5. Prior to Testing ..................................................................................................................14
5.1. Turning the Power on ............................................................................................................. 14
5.2. Setting the Coolant Temperature (MPC-102L Only) ......................................................... 15
5.3. Specimen Preparation............................................................................................................ 15
5.4. Test Mode Selection............................................................................................................... 17
5.5. Setting the Expected Pour/Cloud Point ............................................................................... 18
5.6. Preheating Selection .............................................................................................................. 18
5.7. Entering Sample Names ........................................................................................................ 18
6. Test Procedure ..................................................................................................................20
6.1. Starting a Test ......................................................................................................................... 20
6.2. Automatic Testing Process.................................................................................................... 20
7. Data Storage Functionality.................................................................................................27
8. Maintenance and Post-sales Servicing.............................................................................. 28
8.1. Periodic Maintenance............................................................................................................. 28
8.2. Consumables and Accessories............................................................................................. 28
8.3. Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................... 29
8.4. Period of Warranty .................................................................................................................. 29
8.5. Period of Availability of Maintenance Tools ........................................................................ 29
9. Post-delivery Notes............................................................................................................30
9.1. Long Periods of Dormancy .................................................................................................... 30
9.2. Lost Instruction Manuals ........................................................................................................ 30
9.3. Transfer .................................................................................................................................... 30
9.4. Disposal.................................................................................................................................... 30
10. Specifications.....................................................................................................................31
Product Warranty .........................................................................................................................34

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1. Section Names and Functions
Fig. 1: General View of Model MPC-102A/102L
Main Switch: Turns the instrument on or off.
Control Panel: Keys and switches for operating the device (See Fig. 2on page 7)
Display: Displays test conditions, instrument state and test results (See Fig. 2on page
7)
Temperature sensor: Two sensing elements for pour point and cloud point measurements
Pour Point Sensor: Detects flow changes due to changes in pressure on the surface of a specimen.
Cloud Point Sensor: Detects changes in the intensity of light reflected from the bottom of the
specimen cup
Detector: Compound detector assembly containing temperature, PP and CP sensors
Insulator: Prevents condensation around the detector.
Main Switch
Control Panel
Detector
Cloud Point Sensor Pour Point Sensor
(Vinyl Tube)
Temperature
Sensor
Display
Insulator

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MODE START CHECKRESET
COOL
WARM
FUNC
TION
RUN
①
②③⑤⑦ ⑧
④⑥
⑨
⑩
⑪
Fig. 2: Model MPC-102A/102L Control Panel
① Fluorescent Display: Displays test mode, specimen temperature, pour/cloud point results
(when flashing), and Expected flow point.
② MODE Key: Changes test mode.
③ START Key: Starts testing.
④ RUN Lamp: Indicates when testing is in progress. (Green)
⑤ COOL/WARM Key: Heats the bath.
Note: the device does not provide a cooling function, only a heating function.
⑥ WARM Lamp: Indicates when heating is in progress. (Orange)
⑦ RESET Key: Immediately stops all testing and heating operations.
⑧ CHECK Key: Applies air pressure to the specimen.
⑨ FUNCTION Key: Accesses the function menu.
⑩ Left-Right Arrow Keys: Used to select menu items.
⑪ Up-Down Arrow Keys: Increment or decrement numeric values or to change the value of an item.

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2. Operational Principles
The MPC Series employs Tanaka Scientific's unique air pressure system (certified as U.S. standard
ASTM D 6749) to detect pour points (solidification points). Air pressure is applied to the surface of a
specimen, with subsequent motion of the sample surface measured to detect sample flow.
［System Outline］
The specimen chamber and specimen surface are divided into inner and outer regions by the pressure
conducting tube. Air pressure is applied to the specimen by a pressurizing syringe connected to the
outer region, creating a pressure differential between the inner and outer surfaces of the sample. Two
outcomes are then possible.
1. Specimen flow
The pressure differential causes the specimen to flow,
with the surface level inside the pressure conducting
tube rising (principle of the U-tube), causing a change in
pressure that is detected by the pressure sensor inside.
Upon a pre-determined pressure change, the pressure
switch is activated, indicating to the instrument that the
specimen is still flowing.
<Flow detected ⇒Test continues>
2. No specimen flow
When the specimen is not flowing, the specimen surface
levels do not change despite the pressure differential.
Thus, the pressure inside the pressure conducting tube
remains unchanged and the pressure switch is not
activated. Specimen flow is assumed to have stopped if
the pressure switch is not activated within five seconds.
<<Non-Flow (solid) detected ⇒Test completes>
ON
Pressure rise detected
Pressure
conducting
tube
Specimen
Cup
Pressurizing
Syringe
Detector
Head
Bath
Specimen
Pressure
Switch
Pressure sensor
OFF
No pressure rise

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3. Installation
3.1. Installation Site
! Warning: The instrument must be installed on a flat, sturdy surface
to prevent the instrument from falling over.
Install the instrument on a strong, level bench in a ventilated place.
Do not expose the instrument to any of the following:
・ High temperatures or high humidity
・ Direct sunlight
・ Dust
・ Rapid temperature changes
The instrument is divided into two sections, a test unit and a control unit, with the test unit designed
to sit on top of the control section. However, the units may be separated to allow, for example, the
test unit to be located in a draft chamber (1).
When stacking the measuring and control units, the dripping tray (standard accessory, MPC-102L
only) should be installed between the units. The drip tray protects the control unit and electrical
connections from any water leaking from the test unit or any hose connections.
Ensure that the drip tray is installed in the correct orientation. The side of the tray with no wall
should be located at the rear of the unit. The four protrusions on the bottom of the test unit align
with the four indentations in the top surface of the control unit (see Fig. 3).
Note (1): When operating the units in separate locations, the optional 3-m connection cable
should be used instead of the standard accessory connection cable (0.6 m).
Fig. 3: Drip tray installation (MPC-102L Only)
Indentations in control unit
Water flows from here
Protrusions from drip
Test unit
Front Rear

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3.2. Connection of the Coolant Circulation Device (MPC-102L Only)
! Caution: Do not use methanol as cooling medium. O-ring of
solenoid valve may have damage and the unit will not
work correctly.
70% of ethylene glycol and 30% of distilled water
mixture will be the best for this unit.
! Caution: Do not use methanol as cooling medium. O-ring of
solenoid valve may have damage and the unit will not
work correctly.
70% of ethylene glycol and 30% of distilled water
mixture
will be the best for this unit.
Connect the coolant inlet on the back of the test unit to the pump discharge port of the coolant
circulation device and the coolant outlet to the coolant return side of the coolant circulation device
using the standard accessory coolant circulation hose (with insulation pipe). Secure each connection
port with a hose belt.
3.3. Electric Connections (See Fig. 4 on page 12)
! Warning: Observe the following instructions when handling power
cables and electric connections:
・ Do not connect or disconnect any cables or electrical
connections when the mains power is ON.
・ Do not handle any cables or electrical connections with
wet hands.
・ Be sure to use the plug to remove cables. Never use
the cord to pull a plug from an outlet.
・ Do not place heavy items on cords or cable.
・ Do not use force to bend any cords or cables.
・ Ensure that all electric connections (plugs, sockets,
connectors, etc.) are free of dust.
・ Keep all cables and electrical connections free of water
and other liquids.
・ Failure to adhere to the above precautions may result

- 11 -
in electric shock, damage to the instrument, cords
and/or cables, and/or fire due to overheating.
! Warning: Ensure that supply voltage meets the specifications of
the product. Do not turn the power on until all electric
connections are secured. Incorrect power supply
specifications or loose electric connections may damage
the instrument and result in electric shock and/or other
electrical accidents.
! Warning: Ensure all ground wires are securely grounded.
Loose or disconnected ground wires may result in
electric shock.
Never connect ground wires to gas pipes, as this may
result in fire or an explosion.
Ground wires may be connected to one of the following:
・ Ground terminal of a power outlet
・ Copper bar buried 65 cm or more underground
・ Water pipes as authorized by your local water bureau
as a grounding object
(1) Two cables are used to connect the control unit to the test unit (standard 0.6 m or optional 3 m), a
power cable (AC line) and a signal cable (signal line). The sockets for these cables are located on
the rear panels of both units.
(2) Insert the power cable and secure by fastening the lock nut. Insert the signal cable and secure
using the clips on the sides of the plugs. Connect the power cord to the back of the control unit
and to a specified voltage AC outlet rated at 1.5 KVA or more. (2)
The maximum power consumption of this instrument is 0.5 kW. When sharing an outlet with other
electric appliances, ensure that the total power consumption does not exceed the outlet capacity.
Note (2): The standard power cord comes with a three-prong plug. If the plug does not fit your
outlet, you will need to change the plug.
If the outlet is not equipped with a ground terminal, connect the cord to the outlet via the ground
adapter (triangular add-on), ensuring that the instrument is grounded using a ground cord
extension.

- 12 -
Fig. 4: Rear view of Model MPC-102L
10 A
I N
Circuit
Protector
RS-232C
Connector
Coolant outlet
Coolant inlet
Si
g
nal cable
Power cable
Power cord
Coolant circulation device (OUT)
(To water tap)
Coolant circulation hose (with insulation pipe)
OUT
Coolant circulation device (IN)
(To water drain)
Coolant circulation hose (with insulation pipe)
AC Outlet
MPC-102L Only
MPC-102L Onl
y
MPC-102L Onl
y

- 13 -
4. Routine Daily Inspection
The following should be checked routinely before using the instrument:
Table 1 Checklist
Item Check that…
Appearance
Coolant piping
(MPC-102L Only)
Electrical
connections
Operation
・ Housing, cables, hoses, etc. are undamaged
・ All coolant hoses are free of leaks and other damage
・ Each connection is securely fastened
・ There are no indications of coolant leakage
・ Coolant hoses are fully insulated with the insulation pipe
・ All power cords and cables are free of damage
・ The power plug is fully inserted into the outlet
・ The grounding cable is properly connected (only applicable if
using the ground adapter)
(After turning the main power on…)
・ The display appears to be functioning correctly
・ Control panel keys respond appropriately when pressed
・ The Expected pour point has been correctly entered
! Warning: Do not attempt to repair the instrument yourself. In the
event that the instrument exhibits any abnormal behavior
whatsoever, contact Tanaka Scientific Limited or an
authorized distributor.

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5. Prior to Testing
5.1. Turning the Power on
After turning the main power switch on, the display panel should display the main screen shown in Fig.
5: . Pressing the FUNCTION key at this point will give you access to detailed settings, as shown in
Fig. 6: .
Fig. 5: Main Display Screen
Test mode: Displays the current testing mode. Test type is shown at the top, pressure
in the middle, and detection interval (in °C) at the bottom.
Current Specimen Temperature: Displays the temperature measured by the pour point temperature
sensor. When a pour point (or a cloud point) is detected, this value will
begin flashing and remain constant until reset.
Preheat (Y/N): Indicates if the specimen is to be preheating before cooling by an arrow
( :Yes, :No).
Bath Temperature: Displays the temperature of the bath (before testing only).
Expected Pour/Cloud Point: The Expected pour point or cloud point entered prior to testing.
Fig. 6: Details Screen
Light Intensity: Displays the fraction of light reflected from the bottom of the specimen
cup to the cloud point sensor.
Previous Results: Shows the last measured pour and cloud points. The data is updated
each time a test is completed.
Current Temperature: Displays the current temperatures at the pour point, cloud point and bath
sensors.
Expected Pour/Cloud Point
Test Mode
Current Specimen Temperature
23.5
Preheat(Y/N)
Bath Temperature
EXP.PP
00.0
BATH
23.3
PP
L
1.0
SAMPLE TEMP
Received light intensity Previous result Current temperature
Proj 00%
Recv 00%
Prev CP
Prev PP -37.5
PP Sensor 23.5
CP Sensor 23.6
Bath 23.3

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5.2. Setting the Coolant Temperature (MPC-102L Only)
! Caution: Never press the START key unless coolant is circulating
normally. Starting the unit with no coolant present may
damage the thermo-module that cools and heats the
bath.
Start the coolant circulation device and enter a temperature (refer to the Coolant Circulation Device
Instruction Manual). Since the lower limit of the measuring range of the instrument depends on the
coolant temperature (see Table 2), ensure that you have selected the correct temperature for the
specimen you are testing.
Table 2 Coolant Circulation Device Set Temperature
Coolant circulation device set
temperature Measuring range
0℃＋51℃to -40℃
-40℃＋51℃to -65℃
5.3. Specimen Preparation
Fig. 7 Cross Section of the Detector Assembly
Pressure conductin
g
tube
Tem
p
erature senso
r
Cloud point sensor
(
Li
g
ht
g
uide
)
Compound
Detecto
r
Metallic ti
p
O Rin
g

- 16 -
(1) The specimen cup and pressure conducting tube should be removed from the detector, cleaned
with an appropriate solvent and dried prior to use. Wipe any oil from the temperature and cloud
point sensors with a tissue or a waste cloth.
(2) With the metallic tip facing away from the detector assembly, insert the pressure conducting tube
into the hole in the detector around the temperature sensor (see Fig. 7)
(3) Fill the specimen cup with specimen up to the reference mark and insert into the bath.
(4) Insert the detector assembly into the bath vertically, taking care not to knock the cloud point
sensor or pressure conducting tube against the specimen cup. The detector assembly should
then be screwed securely into place. Be careful not to twist the wires between the detector and
main unit.
(5) Finally, fix the insulation pad in place to prevent problems arising from condensation during
testing

- 17 -
5.4. Test Mode Selection
The instrument contains 25 preset test modes, which are combinations of test type, pressure and
detection interval (see Fig. 8).
Selecting the correct mode can be time consuming, and so the test modes that are available to
users can be customized (refer to the attached Maintenance Manual for more information).
The MODE key is used to select from the available test modes. While holding the MODE key down,
press either the left arrow or right arrow keys to cycle backwards or forwards through the available
modes.
The following preset test modes are available:
Test type
PP/CP: Simultaneous cloud point and pour point testing
PP : Pour point testing only
CP : Cloud point testing only
Pressure: Air pressure used in pour point detection
Not applicable to test type CP.
In the ascending order of pressure, the options are L, H, VH and UH.
L : For specimens such as gas oil that loses fluidity as wax precipitates
H : For specimens such as lubricants that loses fluidity as viscosity
increases
VH: Primarily for lubricants that contains additives more than a fixed
quantity.
UH: Primarily for heavy fuel oils, like bunker C (No.6 fuel oil).
Note : If the sample shows the result that higher than you expected,
please try the test again with higher pressure mode.
Detection interval: Temperature interval (°C) used in pour point detection
1.0: Detection at every 1.0°C from 15°C above the Expected pour point
2.5: Detection at every 2.5°C from 15°C above the Expected pour point
3.0: Detection at every 3.0°C from 15°C avove the Expected pour point
Cloud point detection intervals are fixed at 0.1°C* or 1.0°C in PP/CP and
CP test types. For changing interval, refer to the Maintenance Manual.
Note : CP detection of 0.1°C is applicable from firmware ver.2.2
1 PP/CP L 1.0
2 PP/CP L 2.5
3 PP/CP L 3.0
4 PP/CP H 1.0
5 PP/CP H 2.5
6 PP/CP H 3.0
7 PP L 1.0
8 PP L 2.5
9 PP L 3.0
10 PP H 1.0
11 PP H 2.5
12 PP H 3.0
13 PP/CP VH 1.0
14 PP/CP VH 2.5
15 PP/CP VH 3.0
16 PP/CP UH 1.0
17 PP/CP UH 2.5
18 PP/CP UH 3.0
19 PP VH 1.0
20 PP VH 2.5
21 PP VH 3.0
22 PP UH 1.0
23 PP UH 2.5
24 PP UH 3.0
25 CP
Fig. 8 Preset Test Modes

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5.5. Setting the Expected Pour/Cloud Point
! Caution: Ensure that an approximate pour/cloud point is entered
prior to every test run. If an appropriate estimation is not
entered or the value entered is much greater than the
actual pour/cloud point, the testing procedure may be
prolonged or produce incorrect results.
In this instrument, the entry of an Expected pour/cloud point is essential. Be sure to enter an
appropriate value prior to each test. For PP/CP and PP tests, the estimate refers to the pour point,
while in CP tests, the estimate refers to the cloud point.
The Expected cloud/pour point display field in the upper right of the main screen (see Fig. 5 on page
14) consists of five individual fields for input purposes, the sign, a 2-digit integer, the decimal point,
and a single decimal place. Move the cursor (displayed as an underscore) using the left or right arrow
keys and increment or decrement the value of the selected digit using the up and down arrow keys
(the sign field alternates between blank for positive and - for negative).
The maximum value that can be set is 51.0.
When CP test with 1.0°C interval is chosen, the value of the decimal place is ignored, with only the
integer value being of significance. To avoid any confusion, it is suggested that an integral value is
entered in these situations.
If nothing at all is known about the pour or cloud points, it is better to choose a low value. Although
this will result in long measurement times, the results will be accurate.
5.6. Preheating Selection
Preheating refers to heating the specimen to 45°C once before cooling (refer to ASTM D97). As with
the Expected pour/cloud point, this setting should be reviewed prior to each test.
An arrow on the left of the Expected pour/cloud point display indicates if preheating is selected.
" " indicates preheating and " " indicates no preheating. To change this setting, move the cursor
(underscore) with the left and right arrow keys to the preheating arrow and change the setting with
the up or down key.
Preheating should be selected in the Expected pour/cloud point is higher than room temperature.
5.7. Entering Sample Names
To enable sample name input, the instrument must be configured in advance as described in the
attached Maintenance Manual.
When sample name input is enabled, the Sample Name Input Screen (Fig.9 on page 19) may be
accessed by repeatedly pressing the FUNCTION key until the screen is displayed. The order in which