Demand for laboratory and portable IR and NIR spectroscopy systems for the analysis of fuels and oils has become an important part of the molecular spectroscopy market. The market consists of both general purpose IR and NIR systems, as well as dedicated fuel and oil analyzers based on these techniques. A number of factors will support solid growth in demand for this particular segment of the vibrational spectroscopy market.

IR and NIR spectroscopy are useful tools for the analysis of oils and fuels for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that they offer very rapid analysis with little or no sample preparation. The IR spectrum is excellent for detecting various hydrocarbons and other compounds that make up gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels, as well as oils and lubricants and most additives. NIR is useful for analyzing biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, as well as many common additives, and provides additional information that is often complementary to the IR spectrum.

A number of vendors offer specialized IR- and NIR-based analyzers specifically for fuel and oil analysis applications, including Grabner Instruments (AMETEK), PAC (Roper Industries), eralytics and Spectro Inc. These specialized models both complement and supersede older instruments that are often based on the measurement of physical properties and are limited in their types of analyses, which included distillation analysis, vapor pressure analysis, viscosity and flash point.

The leading IR and NIR vendors that offer instruments for a broad range of applications also offer specialized system packages for oil and fuel analysis. Examples include FOSS’s XDS Biodiesel Analyser, which is based on the company’s NIR platform, and PerkinElmer’s Oil­Express 4 Oil Condition Monitoring System, which is based on the company’s Spectrum Two FT-IR system. A number of models that combine IR and NIR into a single instrument are also now available.

The market for laboratory and portable IR and NIR analysis in the oil and gas industry should be around $45 million in 2013. Although the application of IR and NIR in this industry is not new, the push to develop new and cleaner burning fuels has driven the development of new standards, many of which are easily implemented using these techniques. In contrast to the low single-digit growth in demand that is expected for conventional petroleum analyzers, the market for IR- and NIR-based instruments for the same applications is expected to grow in the mid-to-high single digits.

Unlike other market sectors, most companies in the petroleum industry are flush with cash and able to spend on systems used to develop and produce their final products. A strongly rebounding automotive sector is also contributing to solid growth in demand.

IR and NIR Oil and Fuel Analysis at a Glance:

Leading Suppliers

• FOSS/Metrohm

• PerkinElmer

• ABB

Largest Markets

• Fuel Analysis

• Refining

• Oil Condition Monitoring

Instrument Cost

• $2,000–$35,000