Shell Global Solutions Utilises Award Winning Spectrometer for Testing Racing Cars at Le Mans 2007

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., announces that its iCAP 6500 spectrometer was employed by Shell Global Solutions in the mobile laboratory at the 24 hour Le Mans race 2007. The Thermo Scientific iCAP 6500 spectrometer is part of the award-winning Thermo Scientific iCAP 6000 series of ICP emission spectrometers. Designed for a wide range of industries and specifically suited to the needs of general and elemental analysis laboratories in the petrochemical industry, the iCAP 6500 features a unique radial plasma, ideal for testing the condition of car engine oils, lubricants and hydraulic fluids. Shell Global Solutions ran tests in the mobile laboratory for their technology partner Audi Sport, the race winners, as well as fuel quality monitoring as exclusive fuel supplier to the ACO for all competitors.

The Thermo Scientific iCAP 6500 was installed in a fleet truck and all competing teams were invited to supply fuel samples out of the pits for monitoring fuel quality to avoid potential engine reliability issues. Le Mans race regulations state that an engine cannot be changed during the 24 hour endurance race, however engine parts may be changed or fixed. This service, especially for lubricants, therefore offered extended benefits as it enables a racing team to change engine parts as required, following the results of the testing with the iCAP.

Paul Gillyon, product group director of Elemental Analysis, Thermo Fisher Scientific, comments, "Shell Global Solutions are a long standing customer and we are proud that they selected the Thermo Scientific iCAP for their laboratory at Le Mans 2007. The Shell Global Solutions mobile laboratory demonstrates the flexibility and robustness of the iCAP."

Joerg Landschof, project leader Motorsport, Shell Global Solutions, comments "We are extremely pleased with the success of our mobile laboratory at Le Mans 2007, and with the excellent detection capability of the iCAP 6500 we used for the first time at the race track. We hope to be able to offer this service at future major racing events around Europe."

The Thermo Scientific iCAP 6500 is the most sensitive and compact ICP emission spectrometer available on the market. Featuring excellent detection capability, the Thermo Scientific iCAP 6000 Series is up to five times more powerful than conventional instruments, keeping annual operation costs at a minimum. A distributed purge system offers reduced gas consumption whereas the inherent capabilities of fully automated wavelength calibration and offset correction ensure excellent long-term stability.