KEVOS® MAKEOS · Maintenance
Coolant Concentration from Refractometer
What is the coolant concentration from this refractometer reading, and what should be added to correct it?
Coolant concentration from a Brix refractometer reading and the coolant’s refractometer factor, and the volume of concentrate or water to add to reach the target.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Refractometer reading | °Brix | Reading from a clean, calibrated refractometer at the sump temperature. |
| Refractometer factor of the coolant | Factor from the coolant data sheet (concentration = Brix × factor). | |
| Target concentration | % | Concentration recommended by the coolant maker for this operation. |
| Sump volume | L | Current volume of coolant in the sump. |
Method and formulas
- Concentration = Brix reading × refractometer factor.
- Too weak: add concentrate x = V (target − actual) ÷ (100 − target).
- Too strong: add water x = V (actual − target) ÷ target.
- Example: 4 °Brix × 1.6 = 6.4%; add 2.5806 L of concentrate to reach 7%.
Limitations
- Tramp oil and contamination raise the reading; check against titration periodically.
- Assumes the added concentrate is undiluted.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Check daily sump concentration
- Calculate a correction addition
- Keep coolant within the maker’s range
Who it is for
- Machine operators
- Maintenance technicians
- Coolant managers
What you get
- Actual concentration
- Difference from target
- Concentrate or water to add
Interpreting the result
- Add premixed coolant at the target concentration for routine top-ups; use corrections only to fix drift.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 1176–1181. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
WORKOS tools are screening and decision-support utilities. Verify important financial, engineering, safety, legal or operational decisions using appropriate professional standards and your organisation’s approved data.
Open the Coolant Concentration from Refractometer calculator
