ASTM D5972-05
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels (Automatic Phase Transition Method)
Standard Test Method for Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels (Automatic Phase Transition Method)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The freezing point of an aviation fuel is the lowest temperature at which the fuel remains free of solid hydrocarbon crystals. These crystals can restrict the flow of fuel through the fuel system of the aircraft. The temperature of the fuel in the aircraft tank normally decreases during flight depending on aircraft speed, altitude, and flight duration. The freezing point of the fuel must always be lower than the minimum operational fuel temperature.
Petroleum blending operations require precise measurement of the freezing point.
This test method produces results which have been found to be equivalent to Test Method D 2386 and expresses results to the nearest 0.1°C, with improved precision over Test Method D 2386. This test method also eliminates most of the operator time and judgment required by Test Method D 2386.
When specification requires Test Method D 2386, do not substitute this test method or any other test method.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the temperature below which solid hydrocarbon crystals form in aviation turbine fuels.
1.2 This test method is designed to cover the temperature range of 80 to 20C; however, 2003 Joint ASTM /IP Interlaboratory Cooperative Test Program mentioned in has only demonstrated the test method with fuels having freezing points in the range of 42 to 60C.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see 7.1, 7.3, and 7.5.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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An American National Standard
Designation:D5972–05
Designation: 435/98
Standard Test Method for
Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels (Automatic Phase
1
Transition Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5972; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 3.2.1 automatic phase transition method, n—in this test
method, the procedures of automatically cooling a liquid
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the tem-
aviation fuel specimen until solid hydrocarbon crystals appear,
perature below which solid hydrocarbon crystals form in
followed by controlled warming and recording of the tempera-
aviation turbine fuels.
ture at which the solid hydrocarbon crystals completely redis-
1.2 This test method is designed to cover the temperature
solve into the liquid phase.
range of −80 to 20°C; however, 2003 Joint ASTM / IP
3.2.2 Peltier device, n—a solid-state thermoelectric device
Interlaboratory Cooperative Test Program mentioned in 12.4
constructed with dissimilar semiconductor materials, config-
has only demonstrated the test method with fuels having
ured in such a way that it will transfer heat to and away from
freezing points in the range of −42 to −60°C.
a test specimen dependent on the direction of electric current
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
applied to the device.
standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Summary of Test Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 A specimen is cooled at a rate of 15 6 5°C/min by a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Peltier device while continuously being illuminated by a light
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
source.Thespecimeniscontinuouslymonitoredbyanarrayof
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
optical detectors for the first formation of solid hydrocarbon
warning statements, see 7.1, 7.3, and 7.5.
crystals. Once the hydrocarbon crystals are formed, the speci-
2. Referenced Documents men is then warmed at a rate of 10 + 0.5°C/min until the last
2 hydrocarbon crystals return to the liquid phase. The detectors
2.1 ASTM Standards:
are sufficient in number to ensure that any solid hydrocarbon
D2386 Test Method for Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels
crystals are detected. The specimen temperature at which the
3. Terminology
last hydrocarbon crystals return to the liquid phase is recorded
as the freezing point.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 freezing point, n—in aviation fuels, the fuel tempera-
5. Significance and Use
ture at which solid hydrocarbon crystals, formed on cooling,
5.1 The freezing point of an aviation fuel is the lowest
disappear when the temperature of the fuel is allowed to rise
temperature at which the fuel remains free of solid hydrocar-
under specified conditions of test.
boncrystals.Thesecrystalscanrestricttheflowoffuelthrough
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
the fuel system of the aircraft. The temperature of the fuel in
theaircrafttanknormallydecreasesduringflightdependingon
aircraft speed, altitude, and flight duration. The freezing point
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
ofthefuelmustalwaysbelowerthantheminimumoperational
PetroleumProductsandLubricantsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommittee
fuel temperature.
D02.07 on Flow Properties.
5.2 Petroleum blending operations require precise measure-
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2005. Published November 2005. Originally
e1
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D5972–02 .
ment of the freezing point.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.3 This test method produces results which have been
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
found to be equivalent to Test Method D2386 and expresses
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. results to the nearest 0.1°C, with improved precision overTest
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D5972–05
Method D2386. This test method also eliminates most of the 7.5 Cotton Swabs—Plastic- or paper-shaft cotton swabs to
operator time and judgment required by Test Method D2386. clean the specimen cup. (Warning—The use of swabs with
5.4 WhenspecificationrequiresTestMethodD2386,donot wooden s
...
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