Diesel
Fuel, Biodiesel and ULSD Testing
Example of Certificate of Analysis
NEW! FIELD TEST KIT for SULFUR AND PEROXIDES in ULSD
Fuel analysis has become a very important part
of all maintenance and purchasing functions. The cost of diesel fuel,
although expensive, is small when compared to the problems that may
develop without the proper purchase specifications, verification of
those specifications, handling, storage and distribution.
Herguth Laboratories has developed a series of test packages to assist you in quickly and economically getting the informaion you need about a specific problem or delivery. Please select a package from those listed below and ask for a quotation from our Customer Serve Group. If individual test are need see our list of test and volumes required in our list of Fuel Analysis Methods.
Diesel Fuel Test Packages
D975 Specification for Diesel Fuel
D93 Flash Point
D2709 Water and Sediment
D86 Distillation
D445 Kinematic Viscosity at 40°C
D482 Ash Content
D3120* Sulfur Content (D4294 if S500 or > fuel)
D130 Copper Strip Corrosion
D2500 Cloud Point
D976 Cetane Index
D4052 API Gravity @ 15°C
D524 Ramsbottom Carbon Residue on 10%
D6079 Lubricity by HFRR
* or D4294
D6751 Specification for Bio Diesel
D524 Sulfated Ash
D93 Flash Point
D2709 Water and Sediment
D1160 Vacuum Distillation
D445 Kinematic Viscosity at 40°C
D482 Ash Content
D3120* Sulfur Content (D4294 if S500 or > fuel)
D130 Copper Strip Corrosion
D2500 Cloud Point
D613 Cetane Number
D4951/1158 Additvies By ICP, Metals
D524 Carbon Residue
D6584 Glycerin in BioDiesel By GC
D664 Acid Number
Receipt Inspections / Quality Control
As a rule, all fuel deliveries should be sampled and tested. The economics of sampling are not only to guarantee the money paid to the supplier was well spent, but also to ensure the integrity of your entire system against unplanned downtime. This fuel delivery could, if contaminated or "off grade," cause enormous problems when mixed with the fuel you already have in the tank.
It is wise to arrange in critical applications a system whereby you have the opportunity to sample and test the fuel prior to introducing the fuel into your primary tank(s). This can be done by having the tanker truck leave the trailer on-site until you have completed your testing, or by building a holding tank to accept deliveries for analysis prior to dispensing into your storage tanks.
Sampling Storage Tanks
Periodic sampling and inspection of stored fuel will reveal several important quality parameters that if gone undetected may cause unnecessary problems in the operation of the diesel generator. During long-term storage of diesel fuel, water, sludge, and microorganisms will accumulate. The early detection of these contaminates will eliminate fuel related problems later on.
Sampling Techniques
As with any sampling program, a representative and accurate sample is necessary to receive the full benefit of the analysis. The reasons to sample may differ; therefore, the sampling methods will be different. In order to evaluate the concentration of sludge, water, and debris on the bottom of the tank, you will want to take a sample at the lowest point in the system. This sounds easier than it is, since in many situations, the fill tube is the only access to the tank.
This causes a situation where, when the tank is filled, the velocity of the filling action washes this area clean of debris, and you are unable to get to the areas beyond the fill pipe. A long sample tube strapped to PVC pipe and angled to the side may be of help. If this is not the situation, a simple bottom sampler will normally suffice. When a sample of fuel for general quality testing is required, a middle and bottom composite will usually suffice.
When fuel has been received in good condition and contamination and degradation are the only reason for sampling, you may not require all of the tests that were performed on the original load. An example of testing that is not required would be sulfur, viscosity, cetane, and distillation. If the fuel in storage proves to have no contamination and the stability is acceptable, these values would not change.
ASTM D-975 Specifications
ASTM Specification D-975 for diesel fuel oils is intended as a statement of permissible limits of significant fuel properties used for specifying the wide variety of commercially available diesel fuel oils. Limiting values of significant properties are prescribed for three grades of diesel fuel oils. These grades and their general applicability of use in diesel engines are broadly indicated as follows:
Grade No. 1-D comprises the class of volatile fuel oils from kerosene to the intermediate distillates. Fuels within this grade are applicable for use in high-speed engines in services involving frequent and relatively wide variations in loads and speeds, and also for use in cases where abnormally low fuel temperatures are encountered.
Grade No. 2-D includes the class of distillate gas oils of lower volatility. These fuels are applicable for use in high-speed engines in services involving relatively high loads and uniform speeds, or in engines not requiring fuels having the higher volatility or other properties specified for Grade No. 1-D.
Grade No. 4-D covers the class of more viscous distillates and blends of these distillates with residual fuel oils. These fuels are applicable for use in low and medium-speed engines employed in services involving sustained loads at substantially constant speed.
For more information call 1-888-HERGUTH (437-4884)
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