Poulten Selfe & Lee Ltd

Established 1850...and still going strong!

Manufacturer of the PSL range of glass capillary viscometers, viscometer baths as well as the RHEOTEK range of viscosity analyzers

Poulten Selfe & Lee Ltd, a company established in the United Kingdom in 1850, specialises in viscosity measurement.

The RHEOTEK range of automatic viscometers are suitable for measuring petroleum liquids, polymers, pulp, cellulose, electrical papers and inks.

Viscosity measurements include Kinematic viscosity, dynamic viscosity, relative viscosity, Instrinic viscosity, degree of polymerisation as well as average molecular weight.

Key applications include: (Petroleum) Aviation jet fuel, diesel, biofuel, residual fuel, new and used lubicants and bitumens.

(Polymers) Polyamides (PA), Nylon, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyester, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). Polyethylenes (PE), Polypropylenes (PP), Polycarbonate (PC), Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT), Cellulose Acetate, Ink, Pulp, Cellulose, Electrical Papers & Other Polymers

Test methods include: ASTM D445, D2170, ASTM D789, D871, D1243, D1601, D2857, D4020, D4603 & D1795, ISO 307, 5351 & 1628 Part 1 to 6, DIN Norms 53726, 53727, 53728, 7744

History

Poulten Selfe & Lee Ltd, (PSL) was established in 1850. Starting as just Poulten, Selfe & Lee were later acquired, with the company “Poulten Selfe & Lee Ltd” being incorporated in 1931.

Originally located in the East End of London, the company moved to purpose made works in 1947, being the first factory to be built on the Russell Industrial estate in Wickford, Essex. The company became a significant employer, with an extensive glassblowing shop as well as graduation and calibration laboratories.

In the early 1950’s the company set up a dedicated Viscometer Calibration Laboratory. A joint project with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the Shell Petroleum Company enabled the company to develop a way of routinely calibrating glass capillary viscometers. The company also manufactured the special Shell pattern viscometers, and these were supplied to petroleum laboratories all over the world. During its history, PSL has manufactured nearly every type of glass capillary viscometer, as specified in British Standards (BS), DIN, ASTM, GOST and ISO.

First accreditation
In 1989, PSL was the first company to be accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for viscometer calibration and testing.

The next move of the company was in 2000 when it re-located to its present factory in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex. By this time, the company was greatly in need of new and more specialist space for electronic assembly of instruments, as well as glassblowing, calibration and testing.

In 2000, PSL established a master viscometer scale in its new laboratory. The company manufactures its own master viscometers, and a primary viscosity scale was established using the step up procedure from a primary master viscometer and standard. At the same time, PSL compared its new scale with other National Laboratories in Europe and the USA, including the PTB in Germany, in order to meet the requirements for ISO 17025.

Today, every calibration PSL performs is just one step away from its master scale. PSL prides itself in providing the very best uncertainties of measurement for viscometers used for both manual and automated measurement purposes.

RHEOTEK Instruments
In the early 1990’s, PSL commenced to develop techniques for automating the measurement of viscosity, using glass capillary viscometers, NiR detection methods, as well as other pneumatic and electronic systems to control the automation of the viscosity method.

The new instruments were given the name “RHEOTEK” in order to differentiate them for the “PSL” glass instruments.

Poulten Selfe & Lee has developed the range of RHEOTEK instruments in-house, building up a dedicated team of engineers and application specialists.

Development work has normally been carried out in conjunction with customer application requirements. Some examples include:

• Automatic Viscometer (AV) – for used oils, lubes and fuels

• Automated Kinematic Viscometer (AKV) – for petroleum liquids

• High Viscosity Viscometer (HVV) – for silicone oils, residuals & bitumens

• Polymer viscometer (RPV) – for dilute solution viscosity measurement of a wide range of polymers.

RHEOTEK automated viscometers can be split into two categories – petroleum and polymer. Whilst there are common features between the ranges, each instrument is developed and optimized for their respective applications.

The development of all the RHEOTEK instruments is on-going with further applications enhancements being added in line with the changing needs of the petroleum and polymer industries.

Polymer Testing
PSL maintains a polymer viscosity testing laboratory. The laboratory is on hand to evaluate the total variability of a customer’s polymer samples. A report is prepared by our specially trained technicians and this is typically used as the basis for discussion on how customers can improve their measurement accuracy.

The PSL Polymer Testing Laboratory also prepares a range of polymer standards. These are designed to verify the user’s ability to determine common values such as relative, inherent, specific and intrinsic viscosity.

Technical & Service Support

PSL has established a wide base of users throughout the world. Whilst some customers are more than proficient to look after their own instruments, PSL is on hand to provide further technical and service support. Typically, on-site service is provided by dedicated RHEOTEK service engineers or by authorized agents.

RHEOTEK USA, Inc

PSL established RHEOTEK USA, Inc in 1999 to sell and provide support to RHEOTEK instruments throughout North America. Based in Kentucky, the company is well located to support customers throughout the States. Local sales representatives support the company on the West coast, as well as Texas, Mid West and the North East.

The Company Today

PSL maintains its position as a privately owned company specializing in the measurement of viscosity of petroleum products and polymers.

Principal locations:

UK – head office, development, manufacturing, calibration, testing & glassblowing

USA (RHEOTEK USA) – Sales & Service support.

Denmark (RHEOTEK Nordic) – Sales & Service support Northern Europe/Scandinavia

Principal products:

PSL-RHEOTEK Petroleum Viscometers:

JETVISC - Automatic kinematic Viscosity Analyzer for jet fuels and diesels

AUTOKV - Automatic Kinematic Viscosity Analyzer for fuel oils and lubes

MULTIVISC - Automatic Kinematic Viscosity Analyzer - suitable for -40 to +100 deg. C

BioVis – Automated determination of the kinematic Viscosity of biofuels

AV-2 – Fully automated capillary viscometer – suitable for the kinematic viscosity and dynamic viscosity determination of new and used lubricants and fuels.

HVV-6 – High viscosity viscometer – suitable for the automated kinematic viscosity determination of residual fuels, residuals and bitumens.

TCB-7 Constant Temperature Bath (Viscometer Bath) and TLC-1 refrigerated circulator.

PSL-RHEOTEK Polymer Viscometers:

RPV – Automated Polymer Viscometer – extensive range of automated and fully automated apparatus for polymers

SP-1 – Automated Sample Preparation System

PSL:

Glass capillary viscometers

Viscosity Reference Standards

ISO 17025 Calibration Service – viscometer calibration and viscosity measurement.

The company pro-actively participates at ASTM and IP (Energy Institute) regarding the development of standard methods.

Authorized Agents

PSL has authorized agents carrying out sales and service support around the world – including Europe, Middle East, S.E. Asia, China, Japan, South Africa, South America.

PSL carries out training seminars in the UK for agents and customers alike.

The PSL/RHEOTEK Teams as well as our agents are on hand to assist you with your viscosity measuring requirements.

Contact us:

PSL will be pleased to hear from you. Please use the contact form and we will be pleased to advise you on your viscosity measuring application.