ASTM D4176-20

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 D2276, D2709, and D4860, permit quantitative determinations of contaminants. No relationship has been established between Procedure 2 and these quantitative methods.  
5.2.1 Test Method D8148 has established a correlating relationship with Procedure 2 appearance rating numbers by reporting a correlating instrument haze rating (IHR) based upon its spectroscopically determined haze clarity index (HCI). Supporting data can be found in RR:D02-1876.5  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 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: 31-Oct-2020
• 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 − 20
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* D2709 Test Method for Water and Sediment in Middle
Distillate Fuels by Centrifuge
1.1 This test method covers two procedures for estimating
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
the presence of suspended free water and solid particulate
Petroleum Products
contamination in distillate fuels having distillation end points
D4176 Test Method for FreeWater and Particulate Contami-
below 400 °C and an ASTM color of 5 or less.
nation in Distillate Fuels (Visual Inspection Procedures)
1.1.1 Both procedures can be used as field tests at storage
D4860 Test Method for FreeWater and Particulate Contami-
temperatures, or as laboratory tests at controlled temperatures.
nation in Middle Distillate Fuels (Clear and Bright Nu-
1.1.2 Procedure 1 provides a rapid pass/fail method for
merical Rating)
contamination. Procedure 2 provides a gross numerical rating
D8148 Test Method for Spectroscopic Determination of
of haze appearance.
Haze in Fuels
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3
Distillate Fuel Bar Chart
standard.
4
Distillate Fuel Haze Rating Standard
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3. Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.1 clear-and-bright (also termed clean-and-bright ),n—a
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
condition in which the fuel is free of haze or cloudiness.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.2 free water, n—water in excess of that soluble in the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
fuel at the temperature of the test, and appearing in the fuel as
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
a haze or cloudiness, or as droplets.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 3.1.3 particulates, n—small solid or semisolid particles,
sometimes referred to as silt or sediment, that may or may not
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
be suspended in the fuel as a result of contamination by
2. Referenced Documents
air-blown dusts, corrosion by-products, fuel instability, or
2
protective-coating deterioration.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1500 Test Method forASTM Color of Petroleum Products
4. Summary of Test Method
(ASTM Color Scale)
D2276 Test Method for Particulate Contaminant in Aviation 4.1 In Procedure 1 approximately 900 mL of fuel is placed
Fuel by Line Sampling
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.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the responsibility of
4.2 In Procedure 2 approximately 900 mL of fuel is placed
Subcommittee D02.14 on Stability, Cleanliness and Compatibility of Liquid Fuels.
into a clear, glass, 1 L jar and is examined visually for clarity.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2020. Published November 2020. Originally
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D4176 – 04 (2019).
DOI: 10.1520/D4176-20.
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.
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4176 − 20
Fuel clarity is rated by placing a standard bar chart behind the 7.2.1 Characteristics of Card Stock,whitepaper120
...

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 2019) D4176 − 20
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 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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:
D1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
3
D1744 Test Method for Determination of Water in Liquid Petroleum Products by Karl Fischer Reagent (Withdrawn 2016)
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
D4176 Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Distillate Fuels (Visual Inspection Procedures)
D4860 Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Middle Distillate Fuels (Clear and Bright Numerical
Rating)
D8148 Test Method for Spectroscopic Determination of Haze in Fuels
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the responsibility of Subcommittee D02.14
on Stability, Cleanliness and Compatibility of Liquid Fuels.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2019Nov. 1, 2020. Published December 2019November 2020. Originally approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 20142019
as D4176 – 04 (2014).(2019). DOI: 10.1520/D4176-04R19.10.1520/D4176-20.
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.
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4176 − 20
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 )),—n—a condition in which the fuel is free of haze or cloudiness.
3.1.2 free water—water, n—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—particulates, n—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.
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
...