ASTM D4418-00(2011)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Receipt, Storage, and Handling of Fuels for
Gas Turbines
Standard Practice for Receipt, Storage, and Handling of Fuels for<br> Gas Turbines
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This practice provides the user of gas turbine fuel oils and the designer of gas turbine fuel systems with an appreciation of the effects of fuel contaminants and general methods of controlling such contaminants in gas turbine fuel systems.
This practice is general in nature and should not be considered a substitute for any requirement imposed by warranty of the gas turbine manufacturer, or by federal, state, or local government regulations.
Although it cannot replace a knowledge of local conditions or the use of good engineering and scientific judgment, this practice does provide guidance in development of individual fuel management systems for the gas turbine user.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the receipt, storage, and handling of fuels for gas turbines, except for gas turbines used in aircraft. It is intended to provide guidance for the control of substances in a fuel that could cause deterioration of either the fuel system, or the gas turbine, or both.
1.2 This practice provides no guidance for either the selection of a grade of fuel, a topic covered by Specification D2880, or for the safety aspects of the fuel and fuel systems. For example, this practice does not address the spacings of storage tanks, loading and unloading facilities, etc., and procedures for dealing with the flammability and toxic properties of the 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.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: D4418 − 00(Reapproved 2011)
Standard Practice for
Receipt, Storage, and Handling of Fuels for
Gas Turbines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4418; 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.
1. Scope D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
Petroleum Products
1.1 Thispracticecoversthereceipt,storage,andhandlingof
D6469 GuideforMicrobialContaminationinFuelsandFuel
fuels for gas turbines, except for gas turbines used in aircraft.
Systems
It is intended to provide guidance for the control of substances
inafuelthatcouldcausedeteriorationofeitherthefuelsystem,
3. Terminology
or the gas turbine, or both.
3.1 fuel entering the combustor(s)—this term is used to
1.2 This practice provides no guidance for either the selec-
designate the fuel that is actually burned in the gas turbine.
tion of a grade of fuel, a topic covered by Specification D2880,
Fuel may actually be sampled at a point upstream from the
or for the safety aspects of the fuel and fuel systems. For
point of entry into the combustor(s), provided the sample is
example, this practice does not address the spacings of storage
representative of the fuel actually entering the combustor(s).
tanks, loading and unloading facilities, etc., and procedures for
dealing with the flammability and toxic properties of the fuels.
3.2 fuel contaminants—in principle, are any fuel component
other than hydrocarbon oils. In the present context the con-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
taminants are foreign materials that make the fuel less suitable
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
or even unsuitable for the intended use. The contaminants of
only.
primary interest are foreign materials introduced subsequent to
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the manufacture of specification quality fuel. Hence they are
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
materials introduced in the distribution system (that is storage
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tanks, pipelines, tank, trucks, barges, etc.), or in the user’s
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
storage and handling systems, or generated within these
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
systems (rust generated in steel pipes and tanks by moist fuel,
etc.). Contaminants may be soluble or insoluble in the fuel.
2. Referenced Documents
3.3 dissolved and free water—water may be present in the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
fuel as dissolved water or as “free” (undissolved) water, or
D1500 Test Method forASTM Color of Petroleum Products
both. The free water may be fresh or saline. Fresh water may
(ASTM Color Scale)
enter the fuel from steam coils in storage tanks, from conden-
D1796 Test Method for Water and Sediment in Fuel Oils by
sation out of moisture-laden air, or from leaking cooling coils.
the Centrifuge Method (Laboratory Procedure)
Saline water can enter the fuel during transportation in barges
D2274 Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Distillate Fuel
or tankers.
Oil (Accelerated Method)
D2276 Test Method for Particulate Contaminant in Aviation
3.4 particulate solids—may enter a fuel from the air (sus-
Fuel by Line Sampling
pended dirt and aerosols) or from the distribution and storage
D2880 Specification for Gas Turbine Fuel Oils
systems (rust, corrosion products, gasket debris, and so forth).
3.5 metallic compounds—metals may be present as metallic
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum
compounds in the fuel as a natural result of the composition of
Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
the crude oil and of the refining process. However, unless
mittee D02.E0 on Burner, Diesel, Non-Aviation Gas Turbine, and Marine Fuels.
special precautions are taken, additional metallic compounds
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2011. Published October 2011. Originally
can be acquired during distribution and storage.Acommercial
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D4418 – 00(2006).
DOI: 10.1520/D4418-00R11.
product pipeline may contain residues of lead-containing
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
gasoline that would then be dissolved by the gas turbine fuel.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Tank trucks, railroad tankcars, barges, and tankers may be
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. inadequately cleaned and contain residues of past cargos.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4418 − 00 (2011)
Acidic components in saline water salts in the fuel may react particularly corrosive. Free water may contain dissolved salts
with distribution and storage equipment. that may be corrosive, and may encourage microbiological
growth.
3.6 microbial slimes—may result when conditions are con-
6.1.2 Particulate solidsmay shorten the life of fuel system
ducive to the growth of microorganisms that are always
components. Life of fuel pumps and of various close-tolerance
present.The presence of free water is essential to the growth of
devices is a function of particulate levels and size distributions
many of these microorganisms that grow in tank water bottoms
in the fuel. High levels of particulates can lead to short cycle
and feed on nutrients in the water or on the hydrocarbons.
times in the operation of filters, filter/separators, centrifuges,
andelectrostaticpurifiers.Sincesuchseparationdevicesdonot
4. Summary of Practice
remove all the particulates, certain quantities will be present in
4.1 The body of this practice defines the contaminants
the down-stream fuel.
frequently found in turbine fuel oils and discusses the sources
6.1.3 Trace metalsrefer both to those metals present as
and significance of such contaminants.
metallic compounds in solution and to metals present in
4.2 Annex A1 is a guide for the receipt, storage, and
particulates like rust.They are dissolved or suspended either in
handling of distillate gas turbine fuels, Grades 1-GTand 2-GT,
the fuel hydrocarbons or in free water present in the fuel. The
in accordance with Specification D2880.
significance of several individual trace metals with respect to
hot corrosion is discussed in 6.1.4 through 6.1.5. Although
4.3 Annex A2 is a guide for the receipt, storage, and
lower levels of trace metals in a fuel will promote longer
handling of gas turbine fuels, Grades 3-GT and 4-GT, that
turbineservicefromacorrosionstandpoint,thespecificationof
contain residual components.
excessively low levels may limit the availability of the fuel or
4.4 Annex A3 is a guide for the selection and storage of
materially increase its cost. Table 1 suggests levels of trace
fuels intended for long-term storage, when such fuels are
metals that would probably yield satisfactory service.
distillate fuels.
6.1.4 Ashis the noncombustible material in an oil.Ashform-
4.5 Annex A4 is a guide for gas turbine users who are
ing materials may be present in fuel oil in two forms: (1) solid
considering the use of fuels from alternative non-petroleum
particles, and (2) oil- or water-soluble metallic compounds.
sources.
The solid particles are for the most part the same material that
is designated as sediment in the water and sediment test.
5. Significance and Use
Depending on their size, these particles can contribute to wear
5.1 This practice provides the user of gas turbine fuel oils
in the fuel system and to plugging of the fuel filter and the fuel
and the designer of gas turbine fuel systems with an apprecia- nozzle. The soluble metallic compounds have little or no effect
tion of the effects of fuel contaminants and general methods of
on wear or plugging, but they can contain elements that
controlling such contaminants in gas turbine fuel systems. produce turbine corrosion and deposits as described in 6.1.5.
6.1.5 Vanadium and Lead—Fuel contaminants might in-
5.2 This practice is general in nature and should not be
clude soluble compounds such as vanadium porphyrins, me-
considered a substitute for any requirement imposed by war-
tallic soaps, or tetraethyl lead that cannot be removed from the
ranty of the gas turbine manufacturer, or by federal, state, or
fuel at the gas-turbine site.
local government regulations.
6.1.5.1 Vanadiumcan form low melting compounds such as
5.3 Although it cannot replace a knowledge of local condi-
vanadium pentoxide which melts at 691°C (1275°F), and
tions or the use of good engineering and scientific judgment,
causes severe corrosive attack on all of the high-temperature
this practice does provide guidance in development of indi-
alloys used for gas-turbine blades. If there is sufficient magne-
vidual fuel management systems for the gas turbine user.
sium in the fuel, it will combine with the vanadium to form
compounds with higher melting points and thus reduce the
6. Significance of Contaminants
corrosion rate to an acceptable level. The resulting ash will
6.1 Contamination levels in the fuel entering the combus-
form deposits in the turbine and will require appropriate
tor(s) must be low for improved turbine life. Low contamina-
cleaning procedures.
tion levels in the fuel in the turbine’s in-plant fuel system are
6.1.5.2 When vanadium is present in more than trace
required to minimize corrosion and operating problems. Pro-
amounts either in excess of 0.5 ppm or a level recommended
viding fuel of adequate cleanliness to the gas turbine combus-
by the turbine manufacturer, it is necessary to maintain a
tor(s) may require special actions by the user. These actions
mightincludespecialtransportationarrangementswiththefuel
TABLE 1 Trace Metal Limits of Fuel Entering Turbine
supplier, particular care in on-site fuel storage and quality
Combustor(s)
control procedures, and establishment of on-site cleanup pro-
Trace Metal Limits by Weight, max, ppm
cedures.Eachofthefourclassesofcontaminantsdefinedin3.2
Designation
Sodium plus
Vanadium Calcium Lead
has its own significance to system operation.
Potassium
6.1.1 Waterwill cause corrosion of tanks, piping, flow
No. 0-GT 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
dividers, and pumps. Corrosion or corrosion products in No. 1-GT 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
No. 2-GT 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
close-tolerance devices, such as flow dividers, may cause
No. 3-GT 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
plugging and may stop flow to the turbines. Free water is
No. 4-GT (Consult turbine manufacturers)
potentially corrosive in sulfur-containing fuels, it may be
D4418 − 00 (2011)
weight ratio of magnesium to vanadium in the fuel of not less turbine installations incorporate systems for washing oil with
than 3.0 in order to control corrosion. water to reduce the sodium-plus-potassium level. In installa-
6.1.5.3 An upper limit of 3.5 is suggested since larger ratios tions where the fuel is moved by sea transport, the sodium-
will lead to unnecessarily high rates of ash deposition. In most plus-potassium level should be checked prior to use to ensure
cases, the required magnesium-to-vanadium ratio will be
that the oil has not become contaminated with sea salt. For gas
obtained by additions of magnesium-containing compounds to turbines operating at turbine inlet gas temperatures below
thefueloil.Thespecialrequirementscoveringtheadditionand
650°C (1200°F), the corrosion due to sodium compounds is of
type of magnesium-containing additive, or equivalent, shall be minor importance and can be further reduced by silicon-base
specified by mutual agreement between the various interested
additives. A high sodium content is even beneficial in these
parties. The additive will vary depending on the application, turbines because it increases the water-solubility of the depos-
but it is always essential that there is a fine and uniform
its and thereby increases the ease with which gas turbines can
dispersionoftheadditiveinthefuelatthepointofcombustion.
be water-washed to obtain recovery of the operating perfor-
6.1.5.4 For gas turbines operating at turbine-inlet gas tem-
mance.
peratures below 650°C (1200°F), the corrosion of the high-
6.1.6.3 Calcium—Calcium is not harmful from a corrosion
temperature alloys is of minor importance, and the use of a
standpoint: in fact, it serves to inhibit the corrosive action of
silicon-base additive will further reduce the corrosion rate by
vanadium. However, calcium can lead to hard-bonded deposits
absorption and dilution of the vanadium compounds.
thatarenotself-spallingwhenthegasturbineisshutdown,and
6.1.5.5 Leadcan cause corrosion, and in addition it can spoil
are not readily removed by water washing of the turbine. The
the beneficial inhibiting effect of magnesium additives on
fuel-washing systems, used at some gas turbine installations to
vanadium corrosion. Since lead is only rarely found in signifi-
reduce the sodium and potassium level, will also significantly
cant quantities in crude oils, its appearance in the fuel oil is
lower the calcium content of fuel oil.
primarily the result of contamination during processing or
6.1.7 Microbial Slimes—Microbial slimes caused by micro-
transportation.
organisms can plug filters and other close-tolerance openings.
6.1.6 Sodium, Potassium, and Calcium—Fuel contaminants
Someorganismscancausecorrosionaswellasproduceslimes.
might also include fuel-insoluble materials such as water, salt,
Under anaerobic conditions, hydrogen sulfide, which may
or dirt, potential sources of sodium, potassium, and calcium.
cause corrosion, can be generated by biological action. Bio-
Thesearenormallyremovedatthegas-turbinesite,unlesssuch
cides are available for controlling the growth of
contaminants are extremely finely divided.
microorganisms, but their effect on trace metal levels and other
6.1.6.1 Sodium and Potassium can combine with vanadium
fuel properties should be considered. Since water is required
to form eutectics that melt at temperatures as low as 566°C
for the growth of the microorganisms, one way of controlling
(1050°F) and can combine with sulfur in the fuel to yield
their growth is to eliminate the presence of water through
sulfates with melting points in the operating range of the gas
tank-stripping operations or other separation techniques. Refer
turbine. These compounds produce severe corrosion, and for
to Guide D6469 for a more complete discussion.
turbines operating
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