ASTM D4539-03e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Filterability of Diesel Fuels by Low-Temperature Flow Test (LTFT)
Standard Test Method for Filterability of Diesel Fuels by Low-Temperature Flow Test (LTFT)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The Low Temperature Flow Test results are indicative of the low temperature flow performance of the test fuel in some diesel vehicles (according to CRC Report No. 528). The test method is especially useful for the evaluation of fuels containing flow improver additives.
The test method can be used to supplement other measurements of diesel fuel low temperature behavior (in accordance with Test Methods D 97, D 2500, and D 3117).
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers estimating the filterability of diesel fuels in some automotive equipment at low temperatures.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 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 5.7, 8.1, 8.2.1, 8.3, 8.5, 8.9.3, 8.11, X1.17, and Annex A1.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
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Designation:D4539–03
Standard Test Method for
Filterability of Diesel Fuels by Low-Temperature Flow Test
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(LTFT)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4539; 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
e NOTE—Footnote 9 was corrected editorially in August 2004.
1. Scope* 2.3 Canadian General Standards Board:
CAN/CGSB-3.0, No. 14.01-M86, Low Temperature Flow
1.1 This test method covers estimating the filterability of
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Test (LTFT) for Diesel Fuels
diesel fuels in some automotive equipment at low tempera-
tures.
NOTE 1—CAN/CGSB-3.0, No. 140.1-M86 is essentially equivalent to
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the Test Method D4539, but the differences in apparatus and procedures may
or may not yield different results.
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Summary of Test Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 The temperature of a series of test specimens of fuel is
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
lowered at a prescribed cooling rate. Commencing at a desired
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
test temperature and at each 1°C interval thereafter, a separate
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
specimen from the series is filtered through a 17-µm screen
warning statements, see 8.1, 8.2.1, 8.3, 8.5, and Annex A1.
until a minimum LTFT pass temperature is obtained. The
2. Referenced Documents
minimum LTFT pass temperature is the lowest temperature,
expressedasamultipleof1°C,atwhichatestspecimencanbe
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
filtered in 60 s or less.
D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Oils
2
3.2 Alternatively, a single specimen may be cooled as
D975 Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils
2
described under 3.1 and tested at a specified temperature to
D1655 Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels
determine whether it passes or fails at that temperature.
D2500 Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Prod-
2
ucts
4. Significance and Use
D3117 TestMethodforWaxAppearancePointofDistillate
2
4.1 TheLowTemperatureFlowTestresultsareindicativeof
Fuels
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the low temperature flow performance of the test fuel in some
D3699 Specification for Kerosine
diesel vehicles (according to CRC Report No. 528). The test
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
3
method is especially useful for the evaluation of fuels contain-
Petroleum Products
ing flow improver additives.
D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
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4.2 The test method can be used to supplement other
Petroleum Products
4
measurements of diesel fuel low temperature behavior (in
E1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
accordance with Test Methods D97, D2500, and D3117).
2.2 Coordinating Research Council, Inc.
CRC Report No. 528 Diesel Fuel Low-Temperature Oper-
5. Apparatus
5
ability Field Test
5.1 Glass Specimen Vessels, (Borosilicate heat-resistant
glass or equivalent) several 300-mL, clear, heat resistant,
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of Committee D02 on Petroleum
wide-mouthed glass bottles having markings indicating 200 6
ProductsandLubricantsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD02.07on
10 mL and 50–60 mm ID or clear, heat resistant, tall form
Flow Properties.
beakers with no pour spouts and equivalent dimensions.
Current edition approved May 10, 2003. Published June 2003. Originally
approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D4539–02.
5.2 Glass Receiver Vessels, clear, heat resistant, glass con-
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
tainers graduated through 180 mL in 10 6 2 mL increments.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
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Available from Coordinating Research Council, Inc., 219 Perimeter Center
6
Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30346. Available from CGSB Sales Centre, Ottawa, Canada K1A 1G6.
*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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D4539–03
FIG. 1 LTFT Sample Filtration Assembly
5.3 Filtering Assembly (see Fig. 1), including a storage lid 5.8 Temperature Measuring Device (Liquid-in-glass
orsomeotherformofcover,glasstubing,flexiblefuelresistant thermometer)—Conforming to specifications forASTM Ther-
tubing, pinch clamp or valve, and rubber stopper, or other mometer 114C for air baths or ASTM Ther
...
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