ASTM D4308-21

Standard Test Method for Electrical Conductivity of Liquid Hydrocarbons by Precision Meter

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The generation and dissipation of electrostatic charge in fuel due to handling depend largely on the ionic species present which may be characterized by the rest or equilibrium electrical conductivity. The time for static charge to dissipate is inversely related to conductivity. This test method can supplement Test Method D2624 which is limited to fuels containing static dissipator additive.
Note 1: For low-conductivity fluids below 1 pS/m in conductivity, an ac measurement technique is preferable to a dc test method for sensing the electrical conductivity of bulk fluid.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers and applies to the determination of the “rest” electrical conductivity of aviation fuels and other similar low-conductivity hydrocarbon liquids in the range from 1 pS/m to 2000 pS/m (see 3.1.2). This test method can be used in the laboratory or in the field.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been demonstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Use Caution when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for additional information. The potential exists that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, is prohibited by local or national law. Users must determine legality of sales in their location.  
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see 8.3 and Annex A1.  
1.5 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: 31-Dec-2020
• ICS: 71.080.01 - Organic chemicals in general
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.J0.04 - Additives and Electrical Properties

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: D4308 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Electrical Conductivity of Liquid Hydrocarbons by Precision
1
Meter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4308; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversandappliestothedetermination
D150 Test Methods forAC Loss Characteristics and Permit-
of the “rest” electrical conductivity of aviation fuels and other
tivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
similarlow-conductivityhydrocarbonliquidsintherangefrom
D2624 Test Methods for Electrical Conductivity ofAviation
1 pS⁄m to 2000 pS⁄m (see 3.1.2).This test method can be used
and Distillate Fuels
in the laboratory or in the field.
D4306 Practice for Aviation Fuel Sample Containers for
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as Tests Affected by Trace Contamination
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
standard.
3. Terminology
1.3 WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many
3.1 Definitions:
regulatory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause
3.1.1 picosiemens per metre, n—the unit of electrical con-
serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been dem-
ductivity is also called a conductivity unit (CU). A siemen is
onstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials.
the SI definition of reciprocal ohm sometimes called mho.
Use Caution when handling mercury and mercury-containing
212 21 21
1 pS/m 5 1 310 Ω m 51cu 5 1 picomho/m (1)
products. See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
for additional information. The potential exists that selling
3.1.2 rest conductivity, n—the reciprocal of the resistance of
mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, is prohibited uncharged fuel in the absence of ionic depletion or polariza-
by local or national law. Users must determine legality of sales tion. It is the electrical conductivity at the initial instant of
current measurement after a dc voltage is impressed between
in their location.
electrodes.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Summary of Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 A sample of liquid hydrocarbon is introduced into a
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
clean conductivity cell which is connected in series to a battery
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
voltage source and a sensitive dc ammeter. The conductivity,
For specific warning statements, see 8.3 and Annex A1.
automatically calculated from the observed peak current read-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
ing dc voltage and cell constant using Ohm’s law, appears as a
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
digital value in either a manual or automatic mode of meter
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
operation.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5. Significance and Use
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.1 The generation and dissipation of electrostatic charge in
fuelduetohandlingdependlargelyontheionicspeciespresent
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
2
Subcommittee D02.J0.04 on Additives and Electrical Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2021. Published March 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D4308 – 13. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D4308-21. the ASTM website.
*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
1

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D4308 − 21
FIG. 1 Precision Conductivity Meter
which may be characterized by the rest or equilibrium electri- 6.2 Thermometer,
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4308 − 13 D4308 − 21 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Electrical Conductivity of Liquid Hydrocarbons by Precision
1
Meter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4308; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers and applies to the determination of the “rest” electrical conductivity of aviation fuels and other similar
low-conductivity hydrocarbon liquids in the range from 0.11 pS ⁄m to 20002000 pS pS/m ⁄m (see 3.1.2). This test method can be
used in the laboratory or in the field.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous materialsubstance that can cause
central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, may has been demonstrated to be
hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken Use Caution when handling mercury and mercury
containing mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s
website—http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm—for additional information. Users should be aware (SDS) for additional informa-
tion. The potential exists that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state or country may be prohibited by
law.or mercury-containing products, or both, is prohibited by local or national law. Users must determine legality of sales in their
location.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see 7.1.1, 7.2, 8.3, and Annex A1.
1.5 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D150 Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
D2624 Test Methods for Electrical Conductivity of Aviation and Distillate Fuels
D4306 Practice for Aviation Fuel Sample Containers for Tests Affected by Trace Contamination
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.J0.04 on Additives and Electrical Properties.
Current edition approved June 15, 2013Jan. 1, 2021. Published July 2013March 2021. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 20122013 as
D4308 – 12.D4308 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/D4308-13.10.1520/D4308-21.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4308 − 21
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 picosiemens per metre, n—the unit of electrical conductivity is also called a conductivity unit (CU). A siemen is the SI
definition of reciprocal ohm sometimes called mho.
212 21 21
1 pS/m5 1310 Ω m 5 1 cu 5 1 picomho/m (1)
3.1.2 rest conductivity, n—the reciprocal of the resistance of uncharged fuel in the absence of ionic depletion or polarization. It
is the electrical conductivity at the initial instant of current measurement after a dc voltage is impressed between electrodes.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A sample of liquid hydrocarbon is introduced into
...