Product category:
Chromatographs: gas
News Release from: Perkin Elmer LAS (UK) | Subject: Clarus 500
Edited by the Laboratorytalk Editorial
Team on 11 June 2004
Verifying IndyCar fuel and oil
"High performance, high technology Indy cars are precision machines that depend on precisely formulated fuels and we're pleased that our gas chromatograph will be used for fuel testing"
PerkinElmer is providing instruments and testing services for fuel and oil at the 2004 Indy 500 and other IndyCar races Through careful monitoring at the track, PerkinElmer assures all competitors that the races are being run on a common fuel, and for those cars sponsored by oil companies, assurance that the oil advertised on the car is the oil in the engine
This article was originally published on Laboratorytalk on 5 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Sulphur detection system speeds analysis
Uses amperometric sulphur detection technology, which provides sensitivity and speed of analysis while eliminating cumbersome routine maintenance
A different approach to the gas chromatograph
PerkinElmer's new Clarus 500 GC offers a totally different approach to working with a gas chromatograph.
Under the agreement with the Indy Racing League, PerkinElmer periodically extracts small samples from each car's fuel tank and analyses the chemical composition on a PerkinElmer Clarus 500 gas chromatograph controlled by a TotalChrom chromatography data system, which verifies the purity of the methanol in the fuel as defined by the Indy Racing League standard.
Testing also can reveal other chemicals that may have been added by someone to enhance performance, in which case that team could be fined or disqualified.
"PerkinElmer is excited by our opportunity to contribute our technical expertise to the Indianapolis 500 and the complete IndyCar racing season," said Jonathan Rennert, vice president and general manager, environmental and chemical business at PerkinElmer.
Further reading
Diffusion-pump mass spectrometer for the masses
Clarus 560 D GC/MS combines the diffusion-pump capabilities of high-end Clarus 600 D MS with the robust Clarus 500 GC enabling low-throughput laboratories to conduct reliable, cost-effective analyses
Probing the source of diabetes
Newly developed gene probes increase efficiency and speed of research in studies of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, detecting the presence of alleles by hybridisation reaction
"High performance, high technology Indy cars are precision machines that depend on precisely formulated fuels and we're pleased that our gas chromatograph will be used for the critical fuel testing process".
For maximum performance, Indy cars use a fuel that is a minimum of 99% methanol, which is also used at all 16 races on the 2004 IndyCar series schedule.
PerkinElmer will be testing fuel at these events, as well as testing the high-octane gasoline used at the races of the IRL Menard's Infiniti Pro series.
Oil is tested and analysed with a PerkinElmer Spectrum One infrared spectrometer.
High performance is a given at IndyCar races.
The methanol-powered 3.0 litre engines in Indy cars produce more than 675 horsepower (500kW), burn 0.4 gallons of fuel per mile (approx one litre per kilometre) and accelerate from 0 to 100mph (160km/hr) in less than three seconds.
Each of the eight engine pistons is subjected to 70,000g of centrifugal force as the engine turns at 10,300rpm.
Properly formulated fuel is an essential component for maintaining peak performance during the 200-lap race and six pit stops.
PerkinElmer Clarus gas chromatographs and other analytical instruments are widely used in the petrochemical industry for new product development, quality control and extending the service life of complex motor systems.
• Perkin Elmer LAS (UK): contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Laboratorytalk email newsletter
• Laboratorytalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
