ASTM D4176-04(2014)

Standard Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Distillate Fuels (Visual Inspection Procedures)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 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.  
5.2 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 D1744, D2276, D2709, and D4860, permit quantitative determinations of contaminants. No relationship has been established between Procedure 2 and various quantitative methods.  
5.3 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 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 standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2014
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.14 - Stability, Cleanliness and Compatibility of Liquid Fuels

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D4176 − 04 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Test Method for
Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Distillate Fuels
1
(Visual Inspection Procedures)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4176; 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 D4860 Test Method for FreeWater and Particulate Contami-
nation in Middle Distillate Fuels (Clear and Bright Nu-
1.1 This test method covers two procedures for estimating
merical Rating)
the presence of suspended free water and solid particulate
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
contamination in distillate fuels having distillation end points
3
Distillate Fuel Bar Chart
below 400°C and an ASTM color of 5 or less.
4
Distillate Fuel Haze Rating Standard
1.1.1 Both procedures can be used as field tests at storage
temperatures, or as laboratory tests at controlled temperatures.
3. Terminology
1.1.2 Procedure 1 provides a rapid pass/fail method for
contamination. Procedure 2 provides a gross numerical rating
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
of haze appearance.
3.1.1 clear-and-bright (also termed clean-and-bright )—a
condition in which the fuel is free of haze or cloudiness.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1.2 free water—water in excess of that soluble in the fuel
standard.
at the temperature of the test, and appearing in the fuel as a
haze or cloudiness, or as droplets.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.3 particulates—small solid or semisolid particles, some-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
times referred to as silt or sediment, that may or may not be
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
suspended in the fuel as a result of contamination by air-blown
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
dusts, corrosion by-products, fuel instability, or protective-
coating deterioration.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4. Summary of Test Method
D1500 Test Method forASTM Color of Petroleum Products
4.1 In Procedure 1 approximately 900 mL of fuel is placed
(ASTM Color Scale)
into a clear, glass, 1-L jar and is examined visually for clarity.
D1744 Test Method for Determination of Water in Liquid
The sample is then swirled and examined for visual sediment
Petroleum Products by Karl Fischer Reagent
or water drops below the vortex.
D2276 Test Method for Particulate Contaminant in Aviation
4.2 In Procedure 2 approximately 900 mL of fuel is placed
Fuel by Line Sampling
into a clear, glass, 1-L jar and is examined visually for clarity.
D2709 Test Method for Water and Sediment in Middle
Fuel clarity is rated by placing a standard bar chart behind the
Distillate Fuels by Centrifuge
sample and comparing its visual appearance with the standard
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
haze rating photos. The sample is then swirled and examined
Petroleum Products
for visual sediment or water drops below the vortex.
4.3 When field testing, both Procedures 1 and 2 are per-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
formed immediately after sampling and at storage temperature
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the responsibility of
Subcommittee D02.14 on Stability and Cleanliness of Liquid Fuels. conditions.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2014. Published November 2014. Originally
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D4176 – 04 (2009).
DOI: 10.1520/D4176-04R14.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM ADJD417601. Original adjunct produced in 1991.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
the ASTM website. ADJD417602. Original adjunct produced in 1991.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D4176 − 04 (2014)
4.4 When lab testing, both Procedures 1 and 2 are per- 7.5 Temperature Sensing Device (TSD), capable of moni-
formed after the sample has equilibrated at the test temperature toring the observed test temperature to within an accuracy of
...

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: D4176 − 04 (Reapproved 2009) D4176 − 04 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Test Method for
Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Distillate Fuels
1
(Visual Inspection Procedures)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4176; 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 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 standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
D1744 Test Method for Determination of Water in Liquid Petroleum Products by Karl Fischer Reagent
D2276 Test Method for Particulate Contaminant in Aviation Fuel by Line Sampling
D2709 Test Method for Water and Sediment in Middle Distillate Fuels by Centrifuge
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D4860 Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Middle Distillate Fuels (Clear and Bright Numerical
Rating)
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
3
Distillate Fuel Bar Chart
4
Distillate Fuel Haze Rating Standard
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 clear-and-bright (also termed clean-and-bright )—a condition in which the fuel is free of haze or cloudiness.
3.1.2 free water—water in excess of that soluble in the fuel at the temperature of the test, and appearing in the fuel as a haze
or cloudiness, or as droplets.
3.1.3 particulates—small solid or semisolid particles, sometimes referred to as silt or sediment, that may or may not be
suspended in the fuel as a result of contamination by air-blown dusts, corrosion by-products, fuel instability, or protective-coating
deterioration.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the responsibility of
Subcommittee D02.14 on Stability and Cleanliness of Liquid Fuels.
Current edition approved June 1, 2009Oct. 1, 2014. Published August 2009November 2014. Originally approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 20042009
ε1
as D4176D4176 – 04 (2009).–04 . DOI: 10.1520/D4176-04R09.10.1520/D4176-04R14.
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.
3
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJD417601. Original adjunct produced in 1991.
4
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJD417602. Original adjunct produced in 1991.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4176 − 04 (2014)
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 In Procedure 1 approximately 900 mL of fuel is placed into a clear, glass, 1-L jar and is examined visually for clarity. The
sample is then swirled and examined for visual sediment or water drops below the vortex.
4.2 In Procedure 2 approximately 900 mL of fuel is placed into a clear, glass, 1-L jar and is examined visually for clarity. Fuel
clarity is rated by placing a standard bar chart behind the sample and comparing its visual appearance with the standard haze rating
photos. The sample is then swirled and examined for visual sediment or water drops below the vorte
...