The Koehler Instrument Model K34010 Viscometer Cleaning & Drying Apparatus (without Solvent Tank), engineered and manufactured by Koehler Instrument Company, Inc. in Bohemia, New York, USA, is an indispensable petroleum testing laboratory instrument designed to automate and standardize the cleaning of precision glass capillary viscometer tubes.

In Kinematic Viscosity determinations per ASTM D445 and ISO 3104, sample cross-contamination or microscopic hydrocarbon film residue inside the capillary bore directly shifts the calibrated viscometer constant, inducing significant measurement error. The Koehler K34010 restores capillary tubes to pristine optical cleanliness through a rapid, two-step pressurized solvent rinse followed by a filtered compressed air drying purge.

Key Engineering Features & Operational Advantages:
- High-Throughput 6-Tube Cleaning Capacity: Equipped with six individual solvent/air nozzle assemblies, allowing laboratory technicians to wash up to six capillary viscometers simultaneously. Each nozzle position features an individual shutoff valve, permitting selective operation of one to six stations without pressure loss.
- Universal Capillary Tube Geometry Compatibility: Accommodates all standardized kinematic viscometer configurations without special adaptors: Cannon-Fenske Routine, Cannon-Fenske Opaque (Reverse Flow), Ubbelohde, BS/IP/SL, Pinkevitch, Ostwald, and Zeitfuchs Cross-Arm viscometer tubes.
- Two-Stage Sequential Washing Cycle (Solvent Rinse & Forced Air Drying):
  1. Solvent Cycle: Turning the main selector dial to "Solvent" introduces pressurized cleaning solvent (e.g., toluene, acetone, petroleum ether) deep into the capillary bulb and narrow bore, rapidly stripping away gummy fuel residues, heavy grease, and degraded lube oils.
  2. Air Dry Cycle: Rotating the dial to "Air" channels clean, dry, pressurized laboratory air through the tube, evaporating solvent residues and leaving the glass dry and residue-free within minutes.
- Streamlined K34010 Architecture – Without Solvent Tank: Weighing only 15 lbs (6.8 kg) compared to the 34 lbs of the tank-equipped K34000 model, the K34010 is optimized for laboratories utilizing external pressurized solvent canisters or central solvent delivery skids, maximizing benchtop workspace.
- Inherent Explosion-Safe Operation (No Electrical Connections): The apparatus operates purely on pneumatic pressure from laboratory compressed air, eliminating electrical wiring, heating coils, or switching contacts. This provides complete intrinsic safety when handling volatile, flammable solvents.
- Integrated Drainage Rack & Chemical-Resistant Trough: Includes an adjustable tilting rack that holds tubes inverted to drain heavy residual oil prior to active washing. The sloped drainage trough directs solvent waste and dirty oil through a discharge fitting connected directly to a laboratory chemical waste receptacle.

Target Industrial Sectors & Applications:
- Petroleum Refineries & Lubricant Blending Plants: High-volume routine QC testing of automotive motor oils, industrial gear lubes, base oils, and turbine fluids.
- Commercial Inspection Laboratories (SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas): Continuous throughput cleaning of calibrated viscometers between standardized client test runs.
- Polymer & Chemical Manufacturing: Molecular weight determination of synthetic polymers (PET, Nylon, PVC) via dilute solution capillary viscometry.
- Petrochemical R&D Centers & Academic Universities: Clean fluid mechanics research and synthetic lubricant formulation studies.

• Manufacturer: Koehler Instrument Company, Inc.
• Country of Origin: 100% USA (Made in USA)
• Product Category: Viscometer Cleaning & Drying Apparatus
• Model Designation: K34010
• Configuration: Apparatus without integral solvent tank (optimized for external solvent reservoir/supply)
• Standard Compliance: Conforms to ASTM D445, ASTM D446, ISO 3104, ISO 3105, IP 71, DIN 51562
• Tube Capacity: Cleans as many as six (6) capillary viscometers simultaneously
• Viscometer Types Supported: All standard glass capillary viscometers (Cannon-Fenske, Ubbelohde, Reverse Flow, Ostwald, Pinkevitch...)
• Cleaning Nozzle Assembly: 6 independent dual-fluid nozzles with individual shut-off needle valves
• Cycle Control: Two-position master selector valve dial ("Solvent" rinse and "Air" dry)
• Operating Principle: Purely pneumatic (pressurized air drives solvent wash and evaporation purge)
• Electrical Rating: Non-electrical operation (explosion-safe for volatile solvent handling)
• Laboratory Air Supply Requirement: Clean, dry filtered air regulated at 15 to 30 psi (1 to 2 bar)
• Drainage System: Sloped chemical-resistant drainage trough with hose barb fitting connecting to waste disposal container
• Pre-Drainage Rack: Adjustable drainage rack for draining excess sample oil from inverted tubes prior to solvent washing
• Construction Metallurgy: Chemical-resistant epoxy-coated steel chassis with solvent-inert manifold and drainage fittings
• Physical Dimensions (L x W x H): 16 x 7 x 12.5 inches (40.6 x 17.8 x 31.7 cm)
• Net Weight: 15 lbs (6.8 kg)
• Shipping Weight: 18 lbs (8.2 kg)
• Shipping Volume: 2.6 Cu. ft.
• Safety & Quality Compliance: Conforms to standard laboratory equipment safety directives.