ASTM D3948-14(2018)

Standard Test Method for Determining Water Separation Characteristics of Aviation Turbine Fuels by Portable Separometer

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides a measure of the presence of surfactants in aviation turbine fuels. Like Test Methods D2550 and D3602, this test method can detect carryover traces of refinery treating residues in fuel as produced. They can also detect surface active substances added to or picked up by the fuel during handling from point of production to point of use. Certain additives can also have an adverse effect on the rating. Some of these substances affect the ability of filter separators to separate free water from the fuel.  
5.2 The Micro-Separometer has a measurement range from 50 to 100. Values obtained outside of those limits are undefined and invalid. In the event a value greater than 100 is obtained, there is a good probability that light transmittance was reduced by material contained in the fuel used to set the 100 reference level. The material was subsequently removed during the coalescing portion of the test, thus, the processed fuel had a higher light transmittance than the fuel sample used to obtain the 100 reference level resulting in the final rating measuring in excess of 100.  
5.3 Test Mode A function of the separometer will give approximately the same rating for Jet A, Jet A-1, MIL JP-5, MIL JP-7, and MIL JP-8 fuels as Test Methods D2550 and D3602. Using Mode A water separation characteristic ratings of Jet B and MIL JP-4 fuels will not necessarily be equivalent to Test Method D2550 but will give approximately the same rating as Test Method D3602. All Micro-Separometers have Test Mode A capability.  
5.4 The Test Mode B option is used to determine water separation ratings for MIL JP-4 fuels containing fuel system corrosion and icing inhibitors. These ratings are approximately the same as those obtained using Test Method D2550.  
5.5 Selection of Mode A or Mode B depends on the specific fuel and specification requirement. Table 1 identifies the recommended test method for various fuels.  
5.6 The basic difference between Modes A and B is...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a rapid portable means for field and laboratory use to rate the ability of aviation turbine fuels to release entrained or emulsified water when passed through fiberglass coalescing material.  
1.2 The procedure section of this test method contains two different modes of test equipment operation. The primary difference between the modes of operation is the rate of fuel flow through the fiberglass coalescing material. Test method selection is dependent on the particular fuel to be tested.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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.  
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: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2018
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.J0.05 - Fuel Cleanliness

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: D3948 − 14 (Reapproved 2018) An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Determining Water Separation Characteristics of Aviation
1
Turbine Fuels by Portable Separometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3948; 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.
3
1. Scope of Aviation Turbine Fuels (Withdrawn 1989)
D3602 Test Method for Water Separation Characteristics of
1.1 This test method covers a rapid portable means for field
3
Aviation Turbine Fuels (Withdrawn 1994)
and laboratory use to rate the ability of aviation turbine fuels to
D4306 Practice for Aviation Fuel Sample Containers for
release entrained or emulsified water when passed through
Tests Affected by Trace Contamination
fiberglass coalescing material.
D7224 TestMethodforDeterminingWaterSeparationChar-
1.2 The procedure section of this test method contains two
acteristics of Kerosine-Type Aviation Turbine Fuels Con-
different modes of test equipment operation. The primary
taining Additives by Portable Separometer
difference between the modes of operation is the rate of fuel
D7261 TestMethodforDeterminingWaterSeparationChar-
flow through the fiberglass coalescing material. Test method
acteristics of Diesel Fuels by Portable Separometer
selection is dependent on the particular fuel to be tested. 4
2.2 Military Standards:
MIL-T-5624 Turbine Fuel, Aviation Grades JP-4, JP-5, and
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
JP-5/JP-8 ST
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
MIL-T-38219 Turbine Fuel, Low Volatility, JP-7
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
MIL-T-83133 Turbine Fuel, Aviation, Kerosene Types,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
NATO F34 (JP-8), NATO F-35, and JP-8+100
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3. Terminology
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method that are
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
not shown below, refer to Test Methods D7224 and D7261.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 3.2 Definitions:
5 5
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3.2.1 Micro-Separometer rating (MSEP rating), n—in the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
aviation fuel industry, a numerical value indicating the ease of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical separating emulsified water from aviation (jet) fuel by coales-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
cence as affected by the presence of surface active materials
(also known as surface active agents or surfactants).
2. Referenced Documents 3.2.1.1 Discussion—MSEP ratings obtained using Test A
and Test B are termed MSEP-A and MSEP-B, respectively.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.1.2 Discussion—MSEPratings are only valid within the
D1655 Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels
range of 50 to 100, with ratings at the upper end of the range
D2550 Method of Test for Water Separation Characteristics
indicating a clean fuel with little or no contamination by
surfactants, which is expected to show good water-separating
properties when passed through a filter-separator (coalescing-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
type filter) in actual service.
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D02.J0.05 on Fuel Cleanliness.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally
3
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D3948 – 14. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/D3948-14R18. www.astm.org.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on ‘MSEP’, ‘DSEP’, and ‘Micro-Separometer’ are trademarks of EMCEE
the ASTM website. Electronics, Inc., 520 Cypress Ave., Venice, FL 34285.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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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: D3948 − 14 D3948 − 14 (Reapproved 2018) An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Determining Water Separation Characteristics of Aviation
1
Turbine Fuels by Portable Separometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3948; 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*Scope
1.1 This test method covers a rapid portable means for field and laboratory use to rate the ability of aviation turbine fuels to
release entrained or emulsified water when passed through fiberglass coalescing material.
1.2 The procedure section of this test method contains two different modes of test equipment operation. The primary difference
between the modes of operation is the rate of fuel flow through the fiberglass coalescing material. Test method selection is
dependent on the particular fuel to be tested.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.after
SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
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.
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:
D1655 Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels
3
D2550 Method of Test for Water Separation Characteristics of Aviation Turbine Fuels (Withdrawn 1989)
3
D3602 Test Method for Water Separation Characteristics of Aviation Turbine Fuels (Withdrawn 1994)
D4306 Practice for Aviation Fuel Sample Containers for Tests Affected by Trace Contamination
D7224 Test Method for Determining Water Separation Characteristics of Kerosine-Type Aviation Turbine Fuels Containing
Additives by Portable Separometer
D7261 Test Method for Determining Water Separation Characteristics of Diesel Fuels by Portable Separometer
4
2.2 Military Standards:
MIL-T-5624 Turbine Fuel, Aviation Grades JP-4, JP-5, and JP-5/JP-8 ST
MIL-T-38219 Turbine Fuel, Low Volatility, JP-7
MIL-T-83133 Turbine Fuel, Aviation, Kerosene Types, NATO F34 (JP-8), NATO F-35, and JP-8+100
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method that are not shown below, refer to Test Methods D7224 and D7261.
3.2 Definitions:
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.J0.05 on Fuel Cleanliness.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2014Oct. 1, 2018. Published January 2015November 2018. Originally approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 20132014
as D3948 – 13.D3948 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/D3948-14.10.1520/D3948-14R18.
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
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
4
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
*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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D3948 − 14 (2018)
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3.2.1 Micro-Separometer rating (MSEP rating), n—in the aviation fuel industry, a numerical value indicating the ease of
separating emulsified water from aviation (jet) fuel by coalescence as affected by the presence of surface active materials (also
known as surface active agents or surfactants).
5
‘MSEP’, ‘DSEP’, and ‘Micro-Separometer’
...