ASTM D8072-17

Standard Classification for Reporting Solids and Insoluble Water Contamination of Hydrocarbon-Based Petroleum Products When Analyzed by Imaging Instrumentation

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of this code is to simplify the reporting of solid particle counts and water droplet concentrations present in petroleum products when measured by imaging instruments. Industry is accustomed to using a three number code to report contamination levels and so this reporting method for imaging instruments is presented to organize results in a similar format.  
4.2 Particle count results as described by this classification are reported per the preferred number ranges in Table 1. Preferred numbers were originally developed by Charles Renard and codified in ISO 3. This format is the preferred reporting format since ISO 4406 has no ability to report water.  
4.3 Imaging instruments are capable of identifying insoluble water droplets separate from solids, and therefore a suffix code is added after the three (or four) solid particle codes to report water content in parts per million (ppm (v)). To report water content, detected droplets will be converted to ppm (v). The distribution of water droplet size may be reported if it is useful, but it is not required.
SCOPE
1.1 This classification identifies a concise code which can be used by imaging instruments for reporting of solid particles and insoluble water content in hydrocarbon-based petroleum products. The coding system includes the reporting of water content and particle counts in the ≥1 µm range.
Note 1: Calibration is not in accordance with ISO 11171. Comparability to ISO 4406 and its requirements is not inferred.  
1.2 It is valid for imaging instruments measuring particle size by projected equivalent particle diameter (see 3.1.1), and which are calibrated and verified using particle size and count standards traceable to NIST.2  
1.3 Due to the variation of method and instrument types and resolutions, the reporting of results will include the ASTM standard used to conduct the analysis.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2017
• ICS: 23.100.60 - Filters, seals and contamination of fluids
• ICS: 75.120 - Hydraulic fluids
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.96.05 - In-Service Lubricants Particle Counting Practices and Techniques

Relations

• Referred By: ASTM D4378-22 - Standard Practice for In-Service Monitoring of Mineral Turbine Oils for Steam, Gas, and Combined Cycle Turbines
• Effective Date: 01-May-2017

Overview

ASTM D8072-17 is a vital international standard developed by ASTM International for the classification and reporting of solid and insoluble water contamination in hydrocarbon-based petroleum products using imaging instrumentation. This standard provides a concise coding system that simplifies the communication of contamination levels detected in lubricants and other petroleum products, specifically focusing on the reporting of solid particles and water droplets by size and concentration.

The coding system presented by ASTM D8072-17 is tailored to the unique capabilities of modern imaging instruments, enabling the distinction between solid contamination and insoluble water, which is not addressed in older standards. This advancement supports increased reliability and clarity in contamination control across the petroleum industry.

Key Topics

• Concise Contamination Reporting: The standard defines a compact code structure for reporting solid particle counts and insoluble water content, facilitating clear and uniform data communication. Each code conveys critical information about particle size distribution and water content in petroleum samples.

• Imaging Instrumentation Compatibility: Designed specifically for imaging instruments calibrated and verified with standards traceable to NIST, ASTM D8072-17 ensures accurate and reliable measurement and classification.

• Particle Size and Water Content: The classification covers reporting particle counts in ranges starting at ≥1 µm, as well as insoluble water measured in parts per million (ppm). These results are presented in a familiar multi-number format, streamlining their adoption within existing industry practices.

• Preferred Number System: Particle count results use a standardized series of “preferred numbers” as originally developed in ISO 3. This system ensures consistency and interoperability, particularly when reporting across different platforms or organizations.

• Instrument Method Traceability: The reporting code includes the specific ASTM standard used in analysis, providing essential traceability and supporting quality assurance and auditing processes.

Applications

Industrial Usage

• Lubricant Quality Assurance: Petroleum refineries and lubricant producers rely on ASTM D8072-17 to quantify contamination levels, detect degradation, and ensure their products meet reliability and ISO cleanliness requirements.

• In-Service Oil Analysis: Maintenance teams utilize this standard for ongoing monitoring of operational equipment. By identifying solid and water contamination, organizations can implement timely corrective actions, minimizing wear and preventing costly failures.

• Fluid Contamination Audits: Laboratories and inspection agencies benefit from the uniform reporting structures laid out in this standard, simplifying benchmarking and compliance assessments.

Benefits

• Enhanced Measurement Clarity: By distinguishing between solid particles and insoluble water, organizations can better diagnose contamination sources.
• Regulatory Compliance: Built to align with internationally recognized standardization principles, ASTM D8072-17 supports operations in regulated environments and global supply chains.
• Interoperability: The multi-number coding convention is widely accepted, easing communication between laboratories, end-users, and regulatory bodies.

Related Standards

• ISO 3: Preferred Numbers-Series of Preferred Numbers

  • Underpins the standardized coding for particle count ranges used in this classification.

• ISO 4406: Hydraulic Fluid Power-Method for Coding the Level of Contamination by Solid Particles

  • Influenced the coding approach for solids, but does not provide for water contamination reporting.

• ISO 11171: Hydraulic Fluid Power-Calibration of Automatic Particle Counters for Liquids

  • While ASTM D8072-17 is not calibrated to this standard, ISO 11171 remains relevant in particle counting procedures.

• NIST Traceable Standards

  • Ensures instrument calibration and measurement traceability meet best practices for laboratory and field analysis.

Keywords: ASTM D8072, imaging instrumentation, solid particle count, insoluble water contamination, petroleum products, preferred number, NIST traceability, oil analysis, lubricant quality, fluid monitoring.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:D8072 −17
Standard Classification for
Reporting Solids and Insoluble Water Contamination of
Hydrocarbon-Based Petroleum Products When Analyzed by
Imaging Instrumentation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8072; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This classification identifies a concise code which can
2.1 ISO Standards:
be used by imaging instruments for reporting of solid particles ISO 3 Preferred numbers—Series of preferred numbers
and insoluble water content in hydrocarbon-based petroleum
ISO 4406 Hydraulic Fluid Power—Fluids—Method for cod-
products. The coding system includes the reporting of water ing the level of contamination by solid particles
content and particle counts in the ≥1 µm range.
ISO 11171 Hydraulic fluid power—Calibration of automatic
NOTE 1— Calibration is not in accordance with ISO 11171. Compara-
particle counters for liquids
bility to ISO 4406 and its requirements is not inferred.
3. Terminology
1.2 It is valid for imaging instruments measuring particle
size by projected equivalent particle diameter (see 3.1.1), and
3.1 Definitions:
which are calibrated and verified using particle size and count
3.1.1 projected equivalent particle diameter, n—the diam-
standards traceable to NIST.
eter calculated from the projected area of a particle if that area
formed a circle, and in equation form is:
1.3 Due to the variation of method and instrument types and
resolutions, the reporting of results will include the ASTM Projected Equivalent Particle Diameter = =(projected area/0.785)
standard used to conduct the analysis.
4. Significance and Use
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4.1 The purpose of this code is to simplify the reporting of
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
solid particle counts and water droplet concentrations present
standard.
in petroleum products when measured by imaging instruments.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Industry is accustomed to using a three number code to report
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
contamination levels and so this reporting method for imaging
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
instruments is presented to organize results in a similar format.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.2 Particle count results as described by this classification
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
are reported per the preferred number ranges in Table 1.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
Preferred numbers were originally developed by Charles Re-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
nard and codified in ISO 3. This format is the preferred
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
reporting format since ISO 4406 has no ability to report water.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 4.3 Imaginginstrumentsarecapableofidentifyinginsoluble
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. water droplets separate from solids, and therefore a suffix code
is added after the three (or four) solid particle codes to report
water content in parts per million (ppm (v)). To report water
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
content, detected droplets will be converted to ppm (v). The
Subcommittee D02.96.05 on In-Service Lubricants Particle Counting Practices and
distribution of water droplet size may be reported if it is useful,
Techniques.
but it is not required.
Curren
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