ASTM D7261-06
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining Water Separation Characteristics of Diesel Fuels by Portable Separometer
Standard Test Method for Determining Water Separation Characteristics of Diesel Fuels by Portable Separometer
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a rapid portable means for field and laboratory use to rate the ability of diesel fuels (both neat and those containing additives) to release entrained or emulsified water when passed through fiberglass coalescing material.
1.2 This test method is applicable to diesel fuels such as D 975 Grade No. 1 and Grade No. 2 of all sulfur levels, and MIL-F-16884, naval distillate fuel (NATO F-76).Note 1
This test method is similar to Test Method D 3948 which is applicable to aviation turbine fuels.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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An American National Standard
Designation: D 7261 – 06
Standard Test Method for
Determining Water Separation Characteristics of Diesel
Fuels by Portable Separometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 7261; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope D 4306 Practice for Aviation Fuel Sample Containers for
Tests Affected by Trace Contamination
1.1 This test method covers a rapid portable means for field
D 4860 Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Con-
and laboratory use to rate the ability of diesel fuels (both neat
tamination in Mid-Distillate Fuels (Clear and Bright Nu-
and those containing additives) to release entrained or emulsi-
merical Rating)
fied water when passed through fiberglass coalescing material.
D 6426 Test Method for Determining Filterability of
1.2 This test method is applicable to diesel fuels such as
Middle Distillate Fuel Oils
D 975 Grade No. 1 and Grade No. 2 of all sulfur levels, and
2.2 Military Standard:
MIL-F-16884, naval distillate fuel (NATO F-76).
MIL-F-16884 Fuel, Naval Distillate (NATO F-76)
NOTE 1—This test method is similar to Test Method D 3948 which is
applicable to aviation turbine fuels.
3. Terminology
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1 Definitions:
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.1.1 Micro-Separometer rating (DSEP rating), n—a nu-
only.
mericalvalueindicatingtheeaseofseparatingemulsifiedwater
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
from fuel by coalescence as affected by the presence of surface
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
active materials (surfactants) in the fuel.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.2 reference fluid, n—a reference fluid base to which
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
prescribed quantities of a known surface active agent have
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
been added.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The known surface active agent is
2. Referenced Documents
typically bis-2-ethylhexyl sodium sulfosuccinate, commonly
2.1 ASTM Standards:
referred to as AOT, dissolved in toluene.
D 975 Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils
3.1.3 surfactants, n—in petroleum fuels, surface active ma-
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
terials that could disarm (de-activate) filter separator (coalesc-
D 3948 Test Method for Determining Water Separation
ing) elements so that free water is not removed from the fuel in
Characteristics of Aviation Turbine Fuels by Portable
actual service.
Separometer
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Technically, surfactants affect the in-
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
terfacial tension between water and fuel which affects the
Petroleum Products
tendency of water to coalesce into droplets or not.
D 4176 Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Con-
3.1.4 strong surfactants, n—in petroleum fuels, surface
tamination in Distillate Fuels (Visual Inspection Proce-
active materials that disarm filter separator elements.
dures)
3.1.4.1 Discussion—Strong surfactants can be refinery pro-
D 4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
cess chemicals left in the fuel or contaminants introduced
Petroleum Products
during transportation of the fuel.
3.1.5 weak surfactants, n—in petroleum fuels, surface ac-
tive materials that do not adversely affect the performance of
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
filter separator elements in actual service.
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
3.1.5.1 Discussion—Weak surfactants are typically certain
D02.14 on Stability and Cleanliness of Liquid Fuels.
types of additives used in fuels.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2006. Published September 2006.
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D7261–06
tained in the fuel used to set the 100 reference level. The material was
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
subsequently removed during the coalescing portion of the test, thus, the
3.2.1 DSEP rating, n—the Micro-Separometer rating of
processed fuel had a higher light transmittance than the fuel sample used
diesel fuels as measured by this test method.
to obtain the 100 reference level resulting in the final rating measuring in
3.2.1.1 Discussion—The “D” in DSEP stands for diesel
excess of 100.
fuel. (See 14.1 for more information.)
3.2.2 reference fluid base, n—a distillate diesel fuel that has 6. Interferences
been carefully cleaned in a prescribed manner to remove all
6.1 Any suspended particles, whether solids or water drop-
surface-active contaminants, and having a minimum DSEP
lets or haze, in a fuel sample will interfere with this test
rating of 97.
method, which utilizes light transmission of a fuel sample after
3.2.2.1 Discussion—The reference fluid base should be a
emulsification with water and subsequent coalescence.
diesel fuel typical of fuels to be tested.
6.2 Non-hydrocarbon components such as oxygenates, es-
3.3 Abbreviations:
pecially alcohols, or emulsified water have not been verified
3.3.1 ac—alternating current
for this test method and will likely interfere.
3.3.2 AOT—Aerosol OT (see 8.1)
3.3.3 C/S—collect sample 7. Apparatus
,
3.3.4 dc—direct current 4 5
7.1 A Micro-Separometer instrument is used to perform
3.3.5 MSEP—Micro-Separometer
the test. The unit is portable and self-contained, capable of
3.3.6 DSEP—Micro-Separometer–Diesel
operating on an internal rechargeable battery pack or being
connected to an ac power source using power cords which are
4. Summary of Test Method
available for various voltages. Connection to an ac power
4.1 A 50 mL water/fuel sample emulsion is created in a source will provide power to the unit and affect battery
syringe using a high-speed mixer. The emulsion is then recharge. The accessories can be packed in the cover of the
expelled from the syringe at a programmed rate through a lockable case.
standard fiber-glass coalescer and the effluent is analyzed for 7.1.1 The Emcee Model 1140 Micro-Separometer Mark V
uncoalesced water by a light transmission measurement. Deluxe and associated control panel is shown in Fig. 1. The
4.2 The results are reported on a 0-to-100 scale to the emulsifier is on the right side of the raised panel and the
nearest whole number, however the effective range of the test syringe drive mechanism is on the left side. The control panel
equipment is from 50 to 100. High ratings indicate that water containing the operating controls (pushbuttons) is mounted on
is easily coalesced, implying that the fuel is relatively free of the fixed panel in the left side of the case. Table 1 lists the
surfactants. manualandaudiooperatingcharacteristicsoftheinstrument.A
circuit breaker located on the control panel provides protection
4.3 A test can be performed in 5 to 10 min.
for the ac power circuit. The turbidimeter is located under the
main control panel and consists of a well in which the sample
5. Significance and Use
vial is placed, a light source, and a photocell.
5.1 This test method provides a measure of the presence of
surfactants in diesel fuels, and can be performed in the field or
NOTE 3—Of the lettered (A-G) pushbuttons, only the D pushbutton is
in a laboratory. Like Test Method D 3948 used for jet fuel, this applicable to this test method.
test method can detect traces of some refinery treating chemi-
7.2 Beaker, Catch Pan, or Plastic Container—(Supplied
cals left in fuel. It can also detect surface active substances
with each Micro-Separometer) used to receive the waste fuel
added to or picked up by the fuel during handling from point
during the coalescence period of the test.
of production to point of use.
7.3 Pipet—An automatic 50-µL hand pipet (supplied with
5.2 Certain additives, which can act as weak surfactants,
each Micro-Separometer) designed to accept a disposable
give a slightly reduced DSEP rating. Other substances which
plastic tip.
are strong surfactants give much lower DSEP ratings.
5.3 While filter separators have not been common in diesel 8. Reagents and Materials
fuel systems, they could become more prevalent with ULSD
8.1 Aerosol OT, (AOT), solid (100 % dry) bis-2-ethylhexyl
containing increased additive content to ensure clean, dry fuels
sodium sulfosuccinate.
in new engine designs. Weak surfactants, with slightly reduced
DSEP ratings, do not affect the ability of filter separators to
The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
separate free water from the fuel. Strong surfactants give a
is the Model 1140 Micro-Separometer Mark V Deluxe, available from EMCEE
much lower DSEP rating and adversely affect the ability of
Electronics, Inc., 520 Cypress Ave., Venice, FL 34285, U.S.A. www.emcee-
filter separators to separate free water from the fuel.
electronics.com If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this
5.4 Results from this test method do not have a known information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive
careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee. This test
relationship to the rate of water settling in tanks.
method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products
5.5 The Micro-Separometer has a measurement range from
and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.14 on
50to100.Valuesobtainedoutsideofthoselimitsareundefined
Cleanliness and Stability of Liquid Fuels.
The Model 1140 Micro-Separometers Mark III and Mark V Standard versions
and invalid.
may also be used, but they are no longer supported by the manufacturer. For
NOTE 2—In the event a value greater than 100 is obtained, there is a
operating procedures using these instruments, the user is referred to Test Method
good probability that light transmittance was reduced by material con- D 3948–87.
D7261–06
FIG. 1 Micro-Separometer Mark V Deluxe and Associated Control Panel
TABLE 1 Manual and Audio Operating Characteristics of the
Emcee Model 1140 Micro-Separometer Instrument for
Mode D Operation
Available Test Mode(s) Function Mark V Deluxe
Test Mode - Select Mode D
Depress D Pushbutton
Syringe Drive Not required
Speed Selection Not required
Clean Cycle
Depress START Pushbutton
Initiate Automatic Test Sequence
Depress START Pushbutton
Cancel Automatic Sequence
FIG. 2 Test Supplies and Small Parts
Depress RESET Pushbutton
1st Meter Read
1st Meter Adjust Depress ARROWED Pushbuttons
2nd Meter Read
2nd Meter Adjust Depress ARROWED Pushbuttons
Collect Sample Short Tone and C/S
Annunciator Lamp Illuminates
3rd Meter Read
Record Measurement Pulsed Tone Sounds5sinto3rdMeter Read
8.2 Dispersing Agent—Toluene solution (Warning—
Flammable. Vapor harmful.) containing 1 mg of Aerosol OT
per milliliter of toluene.
8.3 Expendable Materials needed to perform the test are
FIG. 3 Six Pack and Test Accessories
shown in Fig. 2 and consist of the following:
8.3.1 Syringe Plug, (A)—A plastic plug used to stopper the
syringe during the clean and emulsion cycles.
8.3.6 Container (H)—A clean container of double-distilled
8.3.2 Syringe, (Barrel (B) and Plunger (C))—A disposable
water (8.7).
50 mL plastic syringe.
8.4 Reference Fluid Base—A surfactant-free, clean, distil-
8.3.3 Vials, (D),25-mmoutsidediametervialpremarkedfor
late diesel fuel which is used to verify proper operation and is
proper alignment in the turbidimeter well.
prepared in the manner described in Annex A1 (see 3.2.2).
8.3.4 DCell Coalescer, (E) labeled for use with diesel fuel,
(Warning—Flammable. Vapor harmful.)
an expendable, pre-calibrated aluminum coalescer cell with a
8.5 Reference Fluid—(Warning—Flammable.Vapor harm-
tapered end to fit the syringe.
ful.) A fluid used for checking the operational performance of
8.3.4.1 In order for a coalescer to be acceptable for this test
the Micro-Separometer instrument), consisting of increasing
method, it shall have been manufactured using 2-grades of
concentrations (0 to 1.6 mL/L) of dispersing agent added to the
fiberglass and have passed factory calibration tests for air flow
reference fluid base. The DSEP ratings for this range of
and leakage.
concentrations appear in Table 2. The reference fluids are
8.3.5 Disposable Plastic Pipet Tip (F)—Used with an auto-
prepared and tested as described in Sections 12 and 13.
matic 50-µL hand pipet (Fig. 2, G).
8.6 Toluene, ACS reagent grade. (Warning—Flammable.
Vapor harmful.)
8.7 Water, clean, double-distilled and surfactant-free:
A new syringe, pipet tip, test sample vial, syringe plug, DCell coalescer
D 1193 Type IV reagent water, re-distilled. In practice, re-
(trademarked) and double distilled water are used in each test. These expendable
materials are available from Emcee Electronics, Inc. in a kit, termed the DCell
distillation of commercial distilled water has proven to be
Micro-Separometer Six Pack (trademarked), containing supplies for six tests (Fig.
satisfactory.
3).
8.7.1 Useofwaterotherthandouble-distilledwater(suchas
The term “DCell” and logo are registered trademarks of EMCEE Electronics,
Inc, 520 Cypress Ave., Venice, Florida. tap water) will render test results invalid.
D7261–06
A
TABLE 2 Expected Performance for Reference Fluids
at least 1-L, and preferably about 3-L, in a clean container in
AOT DSEP accordance with Practice D 4057 or D 4177.
Std Dev
mL/L Rating
NOTE 7—Test method results are known to be sensitive to trace
0.0 97 0.89
contamination from sampling containers. For recommended sampling
0.2 90 2.88
containers, refer to Practice D 4306. Special precautions concerning
0.4 85 2.58
sample containers and sampling technique are discussed inAppendix X1.
0.8 77 1.55
1.6 65 1.75 Extremecareandcleanlinessarerequiredintakingsampleseitherdirectly
A into the test syringe or into a sample container.
Expected range of values obtained by using increasing amounts of dispersing
agent AOT u
...
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