ASTM D4176-93(1997)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Distillate Fuels (Visual Inspection Procedures)
Standard Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Distillate Fuels (Visual Inspection Procedures)
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers two procedures for estimating the presence of suspended free water and solid particulate contamination in distillate fuels having distillation end points below 400°C and an ASTM color of 5 or less.
1.1.1 Both procedures can be used as field tests at storage temperatures, or as laboratory tests at controlled temperatures.
1.1.2 Procedure 1 provides a rapid pass/fail method for contamination. Procedure 2 provides a gross numerical rating of haze appearance.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given 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.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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Designation: D 4176 – 93 (Reapproved 1997) An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Distillate Fuels
(Visual Inspection Procedures)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4176; 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 Distillate Fuel Bar Chart
Distillate Fuel Haze Rating Standard
1.1 This test method covers two procedures for estimating
the presence of suspended free water and solid particulate
3. Terminology
contamination in distillate fuels having distillation end points
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
below 400°C and an ASTM color of 5 or less.
3.1.1 free water—water in excess of that soluble in the fuel
1.1.1 Both procedures are intended for use as field tests at
at the temperature of the test, and appearing in the fuel as a
storage temperatures.
haze or cloudiness, or as droplets.
1.1.2 Procedure 1 provides a rapid pass/fail method for
3.1.2 solid particulates—small solid or semisolid particles,
contamination. Procedure 2 provides a gross numerical rating
sometimes referred to as silt or sediment, present in a fuel as a
of haze appearance.
result of contamination by air-blown dusts, corrosion by-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
products, fuel instability, or protective-coating deterioration.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.1.3 clear-and-bright (also termed “clean-and-bright”)—a
only.
condition in which the fuel contains no visible water drops or
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
particulates, and is free of haze or cloudiness.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Summary of Test Method
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1 In Procedure 1 approximately 900 mL of fuel is placed
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
into a clear glass, one litre jar and is examined visually for
clarity. The sample is then swirled and examined for visual
2. Referenced Documents
sediment or water drops below the vortex.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2 In Procedure 2 approximately 900 mL of fuel is placed
D 1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Prod-
into a clear glass, one litre jar and is examined visually for
ucts (ASTM Color Scale)
clarity. Fuel clarity is rated by placing a standard bar chart
D 1744 Test Method for Water in Liquid Petroleum Prod-
behind the sample and comparing its visual appearance with
ucts by Karl Fischer Reagent
the standard haze rating photos. The sample is then swirled and
D 2276 Test Methods for Particulate Contaminant in Avia-
examined for visual sediment or water drops below the vortex.
tion Turbine Fuels
4.3 Both Procedure 1 and 2 are performed immediately after
D 2709 Test Method for Water and Sediment in Distillate
3 sampling and at storage temperature conditions.
Fuels by Centrifuge
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
5. Significance and Use
Petroleum Products
5.1 It has long been the practice to include in fuel specifi-
D 4860 Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Con-
cations a requirement that the fuel be clear and bright and free
tamination in Mid-Distillate Fuels (Clear and Bright Nu-
of visible particulate matter (see Note 1). However, there has
merical Rating)
been no standard method for making this determination so that
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
practices have differed. This test method provides standard
procedures for the test.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
NOTE 1—Clean and bright is sometimes used in place of clear and
Petroleum Products and Lubricantsand is the responsibility of Subcommittee
bright. The meaning is identical.
D02.14 on Stability and Cleanliness of Liquid Fuels.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 1993. Published October 1993. Originally
5.2 Procedure 1 provides a rapid pass/fail method for
published as D 4176 – 82. Last previous edition D 4176 – 91.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
3 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02. Available from ASTM Headquarters. Request Adjunct No. ADJD417601.
4 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.03. Available from ASTM Headquarters. Request Adjunct No. ADJD417602.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 4176
contamination in a distillate fuel. Procedure 2 provides a gross 9. Procedure
numerical rating of haze appearance, primarily as a communi-
9.1 Procedure 1—Immediately upon drawing a sample for
cation tool. Other Test Methods, including D 1744, D 2276,
field testing, check visually for evidence of water or particulate
D 2709, and D 4860, permit quantitative determinations of
contamination. Hold the sample up to the light and visually
contaminants. No relationship has been established between
examine for haze or lack of clarity. Swirl the sample to produce
Procedure 2 and various quantitative methods.
a vortex and examine the bottom of the vortex for particulate
5.3 Limited laboratory evaluations of samples that have
matter. Record the visual clarity as clear and bright or not clear
failed this clear and bright test indicate that an experienced
and bright. Record if particulate matter or water was or was not
tester can detect as little as 40 ppm of free water in the fuel.
viewed at the bottom of the vortex.
9.2 Procedure 2—Immediately on drawing a sample, place
6. Interferences
the sample container into a well lighted area, avoiding light
6.1 When a fuel is tested in the field at low ambient
reflections on the front of the container as much as possible.
temperature at or below the cloud point temperature of the fuel,
Place the bar chart directly behind the container, with the lines
small amounts of solid wax particles may be confused with a
toward the container and parallel with the container bottom.
water-induced haze or cloudiness.
The narrowest line should be at the bottom of the chart.
6.2 If an attempt is made to use the test with fuels darker
9.2.1 Directly facing the container and bar chart, compare
than a color rating of 5 in Test Method D 1500, the presence of
the appearance of the bar chart through the sample with the
free water or particulate could be obscured and missed by the
standard photographs. Place the photographs next to the
viewer.
container so that they are lighted similarly to the sample. Select
the photograph closest in appearance to the sample. Ignore
7. Apparatus
differences in fuel color. No
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