L-K Log: November 2017 
Melton Centrifuge Turns 60!
Of all the products made by L-K Industries, The Melton Centrifuge is the hallmark of the company – the cream of the crop. This idiom is a literal nod to the first centrifuge ever made. Historically, centrifugation began in the 15th century and was used to separate cream from milk, a process which was commercialized in 1864 by Antonin Prandtl’s dairy centrifuge. For Texans, there’s no richer cream than oil, and shortly after Houston’s Gusher Age, Louis Hill Kennon (founder of L-K Pump Valve Company) and Sam Melton partnered to design the oilfield centrifuge that became known as the “Melton.” This year, the Melton celebrates its 60th Anniversary.
The duo may not have foreseen it at the time, but the Melton Centrifuge became the hallmark of the company and set the oil testing industry standard for centrifugation. In 1962, ASTM standards were released based on the Melton Centrifuge, and to this day it stands as the single invention that changed the course of the industry.
Melton, in his United States Patent application, described the device as an “invention [that] relates to a centrifugal machine for testing oil that must be heated to a predetermined temperature, and more particularly to a machine for testing crude oil in the oil fields, the machine being powered by an automobile storage battery, and it consists in the constructions, arrangements and combinations herein described and claimed.”
From the Melton Patent Application
Technological advancement has skyrocketed since the 1950’s. Today’s Melton includes four integrated heated cups for crude oil samples which provide maximum heat transfer. It features robust, durable construction in a steel case that protects the interior in harsh, corrosive environments such as offshore platforms. The consistent motor speed reduces process variation, and the built-in tachometer provides an accurate, direct, mechanical RPM reading.
Says owner Eric Calderon: “Since 1930 we have taken great pride in building high quality products and providing excellent customer service. Our original ‘Melton’ centrifuge set the standard in 1957 and continues to inspire our product development today. We look forward to continuing the rich traditions that have made us successful and to manufacturing the next generation of oilfield testing equipment.”
That “Next Gen” equipment is already in progress with L-K’s SMART Transport Centrifuge, which utilizes smart technology and automation. The SMART Transport drastically reduces human error and provides historical, traceable data in case of custody transfer disputes. It is operated by a smart device, verifies ASTM/API test conditions are achieved, and allows real-time submission of field test results. Melton and Kennon would be proud – and probably astonished – at how their centrifuge developed in only 60 years.
The Original 1957 Melton Centrifuge
Happy 60th Melton!
To learn more about today’s modern Melton Centrifuge, visit our Products Page.