ASTM D4176-04e1
(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)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
It has long been the practice to include in fuel specifications a requirement that the fuel be clear and bright and free of visible particulate matter (see Note 1). However, there has been no standard method for making this determination so that practices have differed. This test method provides standard procedures for the test.
Note 1—Clean and bright is sometimes used in place of clear and bright. The meaning is identical.
Procedure 1 provides a rapid pass/fail method for contamination in a distillate fuel. Procedure 2 provides a gross numerical rating of haze appearance, primarily as a communication tool. Other test methods, including Test Methods D 1744, D 2276, D 2709, and D 4860, permit quantitative determinations of contaminants. No relationship has been established between Procedure 2 and various quantitative methods.
Limited laboratory evaluations of samples that have failed this clear and bright test indicate that an experienced tester can detect as little as 40 ppm of free water in the fuel.
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 400C 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.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:D4176–04
Standard Test Method for
Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Distillate Fuels
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(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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
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´ NOTE—The word “not” was editorially added to paragraph 12.3 in March 2005.
1. Scope* D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
Petroleum Products
1.1 This test method covers two procedures for estimating
D 4860 Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Con-
the presence of suspended free water and solid particulate
tamination in Mid-Distillate Fuels (Clear and Bright Nu-
contamination in distillate fuels having distillation end points
merical Rating)
below 400°C and an ASTM color of 5 or less.
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
1.1.1 Both procedures can be used as field tests at storage
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Distillate Fuel Bar Chart
temperatures, or as laboratory tests at controlled temperatures.
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Distillate Fuel Haze Rating Standard
1.1.2 Procedure 1 provides a rapid pass/fail method for
contamination. Procedure 2 provides a gross numerical rating
3. Terminology
of haze appearance.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1.1 clear-and-bright (also termed clean-and-bright)—a
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
condition in which the fuel is free of haze or cloudiness.
only.
3.1.2 free water—water in excess of that soluble in the fuel
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
at the temperature of the test, and appearing in the fuel as a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
haze or cloudiness, or as droplets.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.3 particulates—smallsolidorsemisolidparticles,some-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
times referred to as silt or sediment, that may or may not be
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
suspended in the fuel as a result of contamination by air-blown
2. Referenced Documents dusts, corrosion by-products, fuel instability, or protective-
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coating deterioration.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Prod-
4. Summary of Test Method
ucts (ASTM Color Scale)
4.1 In Procedure 1 approximately 900 mL of fuel is placed
D 1744 Test Method for Water in Liquid Petroleum Prod-
3 into a clear, glass, 1-L jar and is examined visually for clarity.
ucts by Karl Fischer Reagent
The sample is then swirled and examined for visual sediment
D 2276 Test Method for Particulate Contaminant in Avia-
or water drops below the vortex.
tion Fuel by Line Sampling
4.2 In Procedure 2 approximately 900 mL of fuel is placed
D 2709 Test Method for Water and Sediment in Middle
into a clear, glass, 1-L jar and is examined visually for clarity.
Distillate Fuels by Centrifuge
Fuel clarity is rated by placing a standard bar chart behind the
sample and comparing its visual appearance with the standard
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
haze rating photos. The sample is then swirled and examined
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the responsibility of Subcommittee
for visual sediment or water drops below the vortex.
D02.14 on Stability and Cleanliness of Liquid Fuels.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2004. Published November 2004. Originally
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D 4176 – 02.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Request Adjunct No.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on ADJD417601.
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the ASTM website. Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Request Adjunct No.
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Withdrawn. ADJD417602.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
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D4176–04
4.3 When field testing, both Procedures 1 and 2 are per- suspended water content or particulates. It is essential, there-
formed immediately after sampling and at storage temperature fore, that only the proper approved photos be used.
conditions. 7.5 Temperature Sensing Device (TSD), capable of monitor-
4.4 When lab testing, both Procedures 1 and 2 are
...
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