ASTM D4539-98
(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)
SCOPE
1.1 This test method estimates 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 precautionary statements, see 6.1, 6.2.1, 6.3, 6.5, 6.9.3, 6.11, and A1.1.7.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
Designation: D 4539 – 98 An American National Standard
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Filterability of Diesel Fuels by Low-Temperature Flow Test
1
(LTFT)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4539; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope lowered at a prescribed cooling rate. Commencing at a desired
test temperature and at each 1°C interval thereafter, a separate
1.1 This test method estimates the filterability of diesel fuels
specimen from the series is filtered through a 17-μm screen
in some automotive equipment at low temperatures.
until a minimum LTFT pass temperature is obtained. The
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
minimum LTFT pass temperature is the lowest temperature,
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
expressed as a multiple of 1°C, at which a test specimen can be
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
filtered in 60 s or less.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Alternatively, a single specimen may be cooled as
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
described under 3.1 and tested at a specified temperature to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
determine whether it passes or fails at that temperature.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
precautionary statements, see 7.1, 7.2.1, 7.3, 7.5, 7.9.3, 7.11,
4. Significance and Use
and A1.1.7.
4.1 The Low Temperature Flow Test results are indicative of
2. Referenced Documents the low temperature flow performance of the test fuel in some
diesel vehicles (per CRC Report No. 528). The test method is
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
especially useful for the evaluation of fuels containing flow
D 97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Oils
2 improver additives.
D 975 Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils
2
4.2 The test method can be used to supplement other
D 1655 Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels
2 measurements of diesel fuel low temperature behavior (in
D 2500 Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Oils
accordance with Test Methods D 97, D 2500, and D 3117).
D 3117 Test Method for Wax Appearance Point of Distillate
3
Fuels
5. Apparatus
3
D 3699 Specification for Kerosine
6
4
5.1 Glass Specimen Vessels, several 300-mL, clear, heat
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
resistant, wide-mouthed glass bottles having markings indicat-
2.2 Coordinating Research Council, Inc.
ing 200 mL 6 10 mL and 50–60 mm ID or clear, heat resistant,
CRC Report No. 528 Diesel Fuel Low-Temperature Oper-
5 tall form beakers with no pour spouts and equivalent dimen-
ability Field Test
sions.
2.3 Canadian General Standards Board:
5.2 Glass Receiver Vessels, clear, heat resistant, glass con-
CAN/CGSB-3.0, No. 14.01-M86, Low Temperature Flow
tainers graduated through 180 mL in 10 mL 6 2 mL incre-
Test (LTFT) for Diesel Fuels
ments.
NOTE 1—CAN/CGSB-3.0, No. 140.1-M86 is essentially equivalent to
5.3 Filtering Assembly (see Fig. 1), including a storage lid
Test Method D 4539 but the differences in apparatus and procedures may
or some other form of cover, glass tubing, flexible fuel resistant
or may not yield different results.
tubing, pinch clamp and rubber stopper, or other means to
provide a vacuum seal.
3. Summary of Test Method
5.4 Filter, as shown in detail in Fig. 2, for each sample
3.1 The temperature of a series of test specimens of fuel is
7
container (300-mL beaker). 304SS sintered screen is a twill
Dutch weave mesh with a nominal filtration rating of 17 μm.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of Committee D-2 on Petroleum
The mesh is 65 wires/cm (165 wires/in.) X 303/315 wires/cm
Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.07 on
(770/800 wires/in.). The wire strands have diameters of 0.0071
Flow Properties.
Current edition approved June 10, 1998. Published August 1998. Originally cm (0.0028 in.) and 0.0046 cm (0.0018 in.), respectively. The
published as D 4539 – 85. Last previous edition D 4539 – 94.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
3 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02. Borosilicate heat resistant glass or equivalent beakers are suitable for this
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03. purpose.
5 7
Available from Coordinating Research Council, Inc., 219 Perimeter Center Suitable filter cloth is available from Pall Aerospace Co., Pall Aeropower Corp.,
th
Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30346. 6301 49 St. N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781.
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D 4539
FIG. 1 LTFT Sample Filtration Assembly
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