Contact
Contact person: Jan C. Petersen, PhD
Email: jcp@docaspec.com
Danish Fundamental Metrology A/S
Matematiktorvet 307
DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby
Denmark
Hours of Operation
| Monday – Friday | 09:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Project Reference
Project acronym: DOCA
Detection of Oil in Compressed Air
Project reference: FP7-SME-286106
Dates: 2012-09-01 – 2014-08-30
This research received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme managed by REA under Grant Agreement N. 286106.
The DOCA project was established to address a critical gap in industrial quality assurance: the reliable detection of oil contaminants in compressed air systems. Many industries, from pharmaceuticals to automotive manufacturing, depend on highly purified compressed air for their processes, yet traditional monitoring methods rely on manual laboratory analysis that is both labour-intensive and inefficient. By developing an online, highly sensitive sensor based on optical spectroscopy, the project aimed to guarantee conformance with stringent ISO purity standards. This innovation promised to eliminate the risks and civil liabilities associated with undetected contamination, enhancing product quality across multiple sectors.
The consortium behind the DOCA project brought together a carefully selected group of competent SMEs and leading research partners, combining expertise in sensor development, optical engineering, and industrial applications. A major focus was placed on achieving exceptional repeatability, robustness against interference, and stable calibration over extended operational periods. Through dedicated work packages, the team explored promising technologies for detecting oil in liquid, aerosol, and vapor forms simultaneously. This collaborative approach ensured that the final sensor system would meet the demanding requirements of real-world industrial environments, offering a practical alternative to outdated sampling methods.
The impact of reliable oil-in-compressed-air detection extends far beyond individual production lines. Hospitals rely on clean compressed air for patient care, chemical plants need it for sensitive reactions, and the textile industry depends on it for precision manufacturing. The DOCA project's sensor technology was designed to serve all these categories by providing continuous, real-time monitoring that eliminates the delays and uncertainties of laboratory testing. This capability empowers companies to maintain consistent quality, reduce waste, and comply with mandatory regulatory norms more efficiently, ultimately contributing to safer, more reliable industrial operations across Europe and beyond.