Laboratory Role

in petroleum industry

By : Chem / Fouad Agamy

Oil Lab Dept. Manager
MIDOR Refinery
Alex. Egypt
 What Is Quality?

 One definition which is accepted by experts in the

field is : the degree of excellence or its ability to
meet or exceed customer needs and expectations
 What Is Quality Control (QC)?

 The operational techniques -such as testing in the

laboratory- used to fulfil requirements for quality.
 Products have many properties. Only a few are
needed to describe quality. Thus only a few tests
are required to ensure that the product will meet
customer quality requirements as well as meet
government and industry specifications.
Why we need QC ?
( Laboratory Role)

The overall function of the

Laboratory Department
 Ensures appropriate quality control for
refinery finished products and individual
unit operations and provides necessary
laboratory support for activities such as
operations analysis.
 Why we need QC ?
( Laboratory Role)

Performs routine testing of process

and utility unit streams to monitor
quality and unit performance.

Performs routine testing to monitor

blending operations and to certify
finished product quality for shipment
 Why we need QC ?
( Laboratory Role)

 Performs necessary testing of line samples and

compartment samples from ships and tank trucks
to monitor potential contamination in loading
operations.

 Performs necessary testing of purchased raw

materials such as crude oil, natural gas, and
delivered process chemicals.
 Why we need QC ?
( Laboratory Role)

 Performs routine testing to monitor

performance of environmental control
facilities, and the quality of water effluents.

 Collectsroutine samples from process units,

tank farm and loading rack. Performs special
sampling such as pressurised bomb
samples, bladder and tube samples.
 Why we need QC ?
( Laboratory Role)

 Performslaboratory functions in support of

operations analysis, troubleshooting unit
problems, performance evaluation of
equipment, catalysts and additives

 Provides technical and experimental service

directed at solving plant operating or quality
problems associated with the development of
new products.
 Why we need QC ?
( Laboratory Role)

 Provides miscellaneous other laboratory

services, including sample shipping for
customer
 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

What Are Product Specifications?

 A product specification is a schedule of minimum
performance requirements for a particular product.

 Each class of products, such as gasoline, jet fuels and

Diesel fuels, has its own specification schedule.
 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Why Are We Concerned With Specifications?

 It is always important to provide a product that is
uniform in quality. The only way to ensure product
uniformity is to establish requirements for a particular
product and to ensure that every shipment or batch of
that product conforms to those requirements.
 If product quality is not specified, one batch of product
could be out of quality and be of no value for its end
use. Also, another batch could be of higher quality than
necessary for its end use, and in this case, the supplier
would be “giving away” quality.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

How Are Product Specifications Defined?

 Product specifications are defined by the quality
needed in a product in order for it to accomplish its
purpose.
• Gasoline must meet certain criteria for volatility, and anti-
knock quality, as well as other criteria. The
specifications must include requirements so that the
engine which will use this gasoline will start easily on
cold days and run smoothly after it has started. These
requirements must be carefully described in the
specifications for the product.
 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

 Other specifications are defined by storage

conditions and shipping restrictions. For example,
jet fuels must meet certain criteria for gum content
and particulate contaminations.

 Specifications can also be influenced by

environmental factors. Certain components which
would be found in the natural state, such as
sulphur in crude oil, would not be environmentally
acceptable.
 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Who Is Responsible For Product Specifications?

 The Manufacturer or Supplier

The supplier would have a major interest in maintaining
specifications on his product to provide a quality product
and to supply a competitive product at a competitive price.

 The Customer or End User

The customer sets specifications on the products he buys
so that the product will perform at the levels he requires in
his particular application. He contracts with the supplier to
provide a product of a given quality or specification level.
 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

How Are Specifications Controlled?

 Specifications are controlled by performing a series of evaluations or tests on the
products at various points in their manufacture or shipment. These tests are specially
designed to define a particular characteristic of the product.

 The supplier can use the test results as a means to adjust his manufacturing
conditions to produce a product of satisfactory quality. He can also use the results
to correct the quality of batches of materials that do not conform to specifications
and would, therefore, be unacceptable to his customer.

 The customer uses the specification tests to assure that the product he has received
will perform as expected in his application. He may also use the tests to determine
the quality of the product after it has been in storage for an extended period.
 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

 Specifications are subject to much negotiation. In order to

overcome many of the problems associated with a variety
of tests to specify the same characteristic in a product,
several Standards organizations have been established.
These organizations are sponsored by those people who
need standardized tests. The Standards organization
compiles testing methods and standardizes them
according to good statistical practices. These methods
then become the standard against which specifications
can be measured. Since the Standards organization has
no direct connection with the suppliers or the end user, it
enjoys a position of independence and integrity.
 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

 The Standards organizations that are responsible

for most of the methods used in the petroleum
industry are
• American Society For Testing and Materials
(ASTM)
• American Petroleum Institute (API)
• Institute of Petroleum (IP)
• Universal Oil Products (UOP)
LPG Quality Control

1-Vapor Pressure ASTM D1267

 measure of the amount of the most volatile
material present in the product. It can also be
used as a means for predicting the maximum
pressures which may be experienced at fuel
tank temperatures. Vapour pressure
becomes more significant when it is related
to volatility.
LPG Quality Control

2- Volatility ASTM D 1837

 Expressed in terms of the 95 % evaporated
temperature of the product, is a measure of the
amount of least volatile fuel component present in
the product. Coupled with a vapor pressure limit,
it serves to assure essentially single-component
products in the cases of commercial propane and
commercial butane fuel types.
3-Relative Density ASTM D1657
 relative density is of importance in meeting
transportation and storage requirements
LPG Quality Control
4- Residue ASTM D2158
 A measure of the concentration of soluble hydrocarbon materials
present in the product which are substantially less volatile than the
liquefied petroleum gas.

5- Copper Corrosion ASTM D1838

 Limits are for the purpose of providing assurance that difficulties
will not be experienced in the deterioration of the copper and
copper-alloy fittings and connections which are commonly used in
many types of utilization, storage, and transportation equipment.
 The copper corrosion test will detect the presence of hydrogen
sulfide, which is highly toxic. The copper corrosion limits also
provide assurance that the LP-Gas will not contain H2S in such
quantities as to present a health and safety hazard.
Crude Oil Quality Control

1- Density ASTM D 5002 or ASTM D 1298

(Hydrometer)

 Density : is the mass of liquid per unit volume at 15°C

 Relative density or specific gravity is the ratio of the mass
of a given volume of liquid at 15°C to the mass of an
equal volume of pure water at the same temperature .
 API gravity ( degree ) = 141.5 / (sp gr 60/60°F) - 131.5
Crude Oil Quality Control

 Density according to ASTM D 1298

 The sample is brought to the specific temperature and transferred to
a cylinder at approximately the same temperature . The appropriate
hydrometer is lowered into the sample and allowed to settle and after
temperature equilibrium has been reached , the hydrometer scale is
read and the temperature of the sample recorded . The density is
converted to standard temperature 15°C by means of standard
tables 53A for crude or 53B for petroleum products or 53D for lube
oils .
 Report density @ 15°C = XXX.X kg / m3 or 0.XXXX g / ml
Crude Oil Quality Control

 Density according to ASTM D 5002

 Approximately 0.7 ml of crude is introduced
into an oscillating tube and change in
oscillating frequency caused by change in
mass of the tube is used in conjunction with the
calibration data to determine the density of the
sample .
 Report density @ 15°C = XXX.X kg / m3 or
0.XXXX g / ml
Crude Oil Quality Control

2- Salt Content ASTM D 3230

 This method measures conductivity due to presence of inorganic
chlorides and other conductive material in the crude .
 The sample is dissolved in mixed alcohol solvent and placed in a
test cell consisting of a beaker and two parallel stainless steel plates
( electrodes ) .
 A voltage is impressed on the electrodes and the resulting current
flow is measured .And the salt content is obtained by reference to a
calibration curve of the relationship of salt content of known mixtures
to the current .
 Range 0 -- 150 PTB ( Ib/1000bbl ).
 1PTB = 2.86 ppm
 Report to the one decimal , XX.X PTB
Crude Oil Quality Control

3- Bottom sediment and water (BS& W by) centrifuge ASTM D

4007
 Known volumes of crude and saturated toluene are placed in a
centrifuge tube and heated at 60°C .
 After centrifugation , the volume of sediment and water layer at
the bottom of the tube is read .The amount of water detected is
always lower than the actual water content .
 For most accurate water content results use ASTM D 4006 and
ASTM D473 for accurate sediment content results.
 Report BS&W to the nearest 0.025 vol%
Crude Oil Quality Control

4- Water by distillation ASTM D 4006 ( Dean &

Stark )
 The crude sample is heated in 1000 ml round
bottom distillation flask under reflux conditions
with a water immiscible solvent ( xylene )
which co-distills with the water in the sample .
 Condensed solvent and water are
continuously separated in the trap , the water
settles in the graduated section of the trap and
the solvent returns to the distillation flask .
 Report to the nearest 0.025 % vol
Crude Oil Quality Control
5- Sediment content by Extraction method ASTM D 473
 Range 0.01 --- 0.40 % mass
 The crude sample in a refractory thimble is extracted with hot
toluene until the residue reaches a constant mass .
 Report to the nearest 0.01 mass %

6-Sulfur by wave energy dispersive X- ray ASTM D 4294

 Range 0.015 --- 5.0 % mass
 The sample is placed in a beam emitted from an X-ray source . the
resultant excited characteristics X radiation is measured and the
accumulated count is compared with counts from previously
prepared calibration standard to obtain the sulfur concentration .
 This method can be affected by some present interferences such as
halides if present at concentrations greater than one tenth of the
measured S .
 Report to the three decimal , X.XXX mass %
Crude Oil Quality Control

8-Pour point ASTM D 97 Manual method

 After preliminary heating , sample is cooled at a specified rate and
examined at intervals of 3°C for flow characteristics .
 The lowest temperature at which the movement of the oil is observed is
recorded as the pour point .
 Crude oil with a high wax content presents difficulties in handling and
pumping .
9- Asphaltenes content By membrane filtration UOP 614 ( Heptane
insoluble )
 A quantity of crude ( 1.5 gm ) is dissolved in n – heptane and filtered by
vacuum pump through filter membrane 5.0 um pore size , 47 mm
diameter . The filter with residue is washed , dried and weighed to give the
asphaltenes content .
 Report to two decimal X.XX % mass
Crude Oil Quality Control

10-Kinematic viscosity ASTM D445

 Viscosity is usually determined at different temperatures ( 25°C
, 40°C & 100°C ) by measuring the time in seconds for a
volume of liquid to flow under gravity through a calibrated glass
viscometer at controlled temperature.
 Kinematic viscosity Cst = measured flow time in seconds X
calibration constant of viscometer
 Report to three decimal ,kinematic viscosity at 100°F = X..XXX
Cst
Crude Oil Quality Control

11-Micro carbon residue ASTM D4530

 Range 0.01 -- 30 % mass.
 Aweighed quantity of sample ( 0.5 – 1.0 gm ) is
placed in small glass vial and heated to 500°C under
inert nitrogen atmosphere in a controlled manner for a
specific time
 The sample undergoes coking reactions , and
volatiles formed are swept away by the nitrogen
 And the carbonaceous residue is reported as % w/w
of the original sample .
 Report to two decimal X.XX % mass
Crude Oil Quality Control

12- Acid number by potentiometric titration ASTM D664

 Is a measure of the inorganic and total acidity and indicates its tendency
to corrode metals which it may contact .
 Acid number :
 is the quantity of base , expressed in mg KOH / gm of sample , that is
required to titrate a sample to a meter reading corresponding to a freshly
prepared aqueous basic buffer solution ( pH = 11 ) or to defined inflection
point .
 The sample (20 gm) is dissolved in a mixture of toluene and isopropyl
alcohol containing a small amount of water and titrate potentiometrically
with alcoholic KOH using a glass indicating electrode and calomel
reference electrode to inflection point or to a freshly prepared aqueous
basic buffer solution ( pH = 11 ) .
 Report to the two decimal X.XX mg KOH / gm
Crude Oil Quality Control

13- Aniline point ASTM D 611

 It is used to estimate the aromatic content of
mixtures and can be used to determine the aromatic
or aliphatic character .
 Aromatics exhibit the lowest aniline points and
paraffins the highest aniline point. Cycloparaffins and
olefins exhibit values between these two extremes .
 Report the result to the nearest 0.1 °C .
Crude Oil Quality Control
14 - Nitrogen content
 The Nitrogen causes serious environmental problems , in addition to the basic
character of the nitrogen neutralizes catalyst acidity. These are transformed
into ammonia by reaction with H2.
 The amount of nitrogen in the feed stock determines the severity of the process
particularly the temperature and causes more rapid catalyst deactivation and
decrease the life time of catalyst , and the H2 requirements and the sediment
formation and deposition like ammonium bisulfide salt.
 Nitrogen can cause color stability problems in the jet fuels .
 Total Nitrogen content ASTM D 4629 ( Antek )
 Range 0.3 -- 100 mg / kg
 The diluted crude sample is introduced by syringe into the stream of argon .
The sample is vaporized and carried to a high temperature zone where the
oxygen is introduced and organically bound nitrogen is converted to nitric oxide
NO . The NO contacts ozone ( O3 ) , and is converted to excited nitrogen oxide
NO2 . The light emitted as the excited NO2 decays is detected by a
photomultiplier tube and the resulting signal is a measure of the nitrogen
contained in the sample .
 Report to one decimal XX.X mg/kg .
Crude Oil Quality Control
15-Metals content
 Causing corrosion and affect the quality of refined products and
deactivate ( reduce catalyst activity ) or poison the catalysts.
 vanadium can form low –melting compounds such as vanadium
penta oxide which melts at 691 oC and cause sever corrosion
attack on the entire high-temperature alloy used for gas turbine
 sodium and potassium can combine with vanadium to form
eutectics which melt at 565 oC and with sulfur in the fuel to yield
sulfates . These compounds produce severe corrosion for
turbines.
 Metals test methods
 V, Ni, Na , Fe , Ca , Al , Mg , Si , by wet ashing or by organic
solvent and then by atomic absorption spectrophotometric
method ASTM D5863 or UOP 391 or by wet ashing or by
organic solvent and then by ICP ASTM D5708 or by UOP389.
Gasoline Quality Control

1- Density ASTM D 4052 or ASTM D 1298 (Hydrometer)

 The density of a material is defined as its mass per unit
volume
 Used for weigh-volume calculation and to characterize the
volatility of gasoline
 Used for heat combustion calculation
 Report density @ 15 oC = XXX.X kg / m3 or 0.XXXX g / ml
 Specification 720.0 - 775.0 Kg/M3

2- Appearance
 Clear & bright free from water and particulate contamination
Gasoline Quality Control

3-Distillation ASTM D86 ( Volatility characteristics )

 Volatility of a liquid is its tendency to change from the liquid to
vapor
 IBP range (35 – 40 oC)
 10 % , 65 oC max should be low enough to ensure starting
under normal condition and must be sufficiently volatile to give easy
starting, rapid warm up
 50% range (77-115 oC) indicates the performance of gasoline
combustion
 90% max 180 oC
 E.P max 215 oC indicates the amount of heavy H.C in gasoline
and cause poor mixture distribution in tank and combustion
chamber, increased H.C emission, increased chamber deposit and
dilution of the crankcase oil
 report I.B.P,10%.50%,90%,E.P,residue %volume max 2% , low
or high residue indicate the absence or presence high boiling
compounds
Gasoline Quality Control

4- Vapor pressure
 It's the force exerted on the walls of closed container by the
vaporized portion of liquid
 ASTM D5191 (mini method) , ASTM D4953 (dry method)
Specification
 in summer (mar-oct) 0.4 - 0.63 bar
 in winter (nov-feb) 0.4 - 0.7 bar
 the vapor pressure of gasoline must be sufficiently high to
ensure ease of engine starting but it must not be high to avoid
vapor lock (that vapor if formed in gasoline line that impede the
flow of gasoline to the carburetor) and to avoid vapor losses
from gasoline tanks during storage and transportation.
 Gasoline vapor pressure depends on its butane content
 The vapor pressure increases with increase in temperature .
 report V.P to the nearest 0.01 bar
 Gasoline Quality Control
5- Sulfur
 (HOUSTON ATLAS) ASTM D4045
 (ANTEK) ASTM D5453
 specification 10 mg/kg max to protected engine from wear,
deterioration of engine oil and corrosion of exhaust system parts
 combustion may be converted to acid that promote rusting and
corrosion of engine parts
 report X.XX mg/kg
6- Total Aromatics ASTM D 1319
 42.0 vol % maximum
 In order to reduce the ozone reactivity and toxicity of automotive
evaporative and exhaust emissions
 Aromatics HC having the highest solvent power (unsuitable for
some aircraft engine seals, gaskets and some fuel tank materials
like elastomer could be affected) and the straight – chain aliphatic
HC is the lowest
Gasoline Quality Control

7- Benzene content by GC
 1.0 vol % maximum
 In order to reduce the ozone reactivity and toxicity of
automotive evaporative and exhaust emissions

8- Olefins content ASTM D1319

 18.0 vol % maximum
 It is may oxidize during storage and form undesirable
oxidation products ( gum formation )
 Is required to comply with government regulations
Gasoline Quality Control
9- Octane number (knock rating)
 Octane number is a measure of a gasoline antiknock performance ,
its ability to resist knocking as its burn in the combustion chamber
 RON (research octane number) ASTM D2699
 MON (motor octane number) ASTM D2700
 Antiknock rating of a fuel is a measure of its resistance to knock . A
decrease in antiknock rating may cause vehicles performance loss,
loss of power , objectionable noise and engine damage .
 Specifications RON 95 min MON 87 min
 Octane is measured relative to a mixture of iso-octane (2,2,4-
trimethylpentane, an isomer of octane) and n-heptane. An 95-
octane gasoline, for example, has the same octane rating as a
mixture of 95 vol-% isooctane and 5 vol-% n-heptane. This does
not mean, however, that the gasoline actually should contain
these chemicals in these proportions. It simply means that it has
the same antiknock resistance as the described mixture.
Gasoline Quality Control
10 - Gum content ASTM D381
 specification , solvent washed gum content 5mg/100ml max
 gum can cause induction system deposits and sticking of intake
valves and carburetors indicates the contamination by higher
boiling oils or particulate matter
 report to the nearest 0.5 mg/100ml solvent washed gum
content, unwashed gum content
 the heptane wash, removes additives , non volatile oils and
heavy hydrocarbons such as diesel fuels
 the difference between the unwashed and solvent washed gum
content can be used to assess the presence of non volatile
material in the fuel
 The potential gum is determined by accelerated gum test
ASTM D873 which is used for safeguard of storage stability and
can predict the potential for gum formation during prolonged
storage
Gasoline Quality Control
11- Induction period (oxidation stability) ASTM D525
 specification > 480 min
 indication of the tendency of motor gasoline to form gum in storage
 gasoline instability can be related to the hetero atoms containing (N, O,
and S) and olefins compounds
 during storage gasoline can oxidize slowly in the presence of air and
form peroxides and gum, soluble in gasoline but the gum may appear
as a sticky residue on evaporation these residues can deposit on
carburetor , fuel injectors
 automotive fuels usually have very low gum content when
manufactured but may form gum during extended storage
 Most of automotive gasoline contains Antioxidants additives ( Metal
deactivators ) to prevent oxidation and gum formation
12- Lead content IP 224
 specification 0.013 gm /L (13 mg/L) maximum
 lead for environmental regulations
Jet A-1 Quality Control

1- Density ASTM D 4052

 The density of a material is defined as its mass per unit volume
 Used for weigh-volume calculation and in calculation of specific
energy when used with other parameters such as aniline point,
distillation, sulfur, Aromatics.
 Report density @ 15 oC = XXX.X kg / m3 or 0.XXXX g / ml
 Specification 750.0 - 840.0 Kg/M3

2- Appearance ASTM D 4176

 Visual appearance clear & bright and visual free from solid matter
and un dissolved Water at ambient temperature.
 Un dissolved water (free) ASTM D 3240 can encourage the growth
of microorganisms and corrosion in the aircraft tanks and also
leads to icing of filter in the fuels system
 Report C & B = clear and bright
Jet A-1 Quality Control

3- Color ASTM D 156 (saybolt) or ASTM D 6045 (automatic)

 Color can be useful indicator of fuel quality, darkening of fuel or a
change in fuel color may be the result of product contamination or
instability (gum formation)
 Color range colorless to straw/pale yellow ≈ +16 min
 Report + XX

4- Particulate contamination (ASTM D 5452)

 Provides field quality control of dirt and rust which

leads to filter plugging.

 max 1.00 mg/L
 Repot X.XX mg/l
Jet A-1 Quality Control
5- Total acidity ASTM D3242
 Total acidity =weak acid (organic acid) + inorganic acid (mineral acids)
 Tendency of the fuel to corrode metals that it contacts , acidity reduces the
WSIM of the aviation turbine fuel
 Naphthenic acid + NaOH or (NH4OH) → sodium or ammonium naphthenate
 Sodium or ammonium naphthenate (surfactants) = surface active impurities
soluble In water and soluble in HC ,allow the water and particulate to pass
through fuel filter system.
 Report 0.XXX mg KOH/gm & max 0.015 mg KOH / gm

6- Aromatic ASTM D1319

 Indicates the combustion properties of jet fuel
 The amount of aromatics are limited 25 % volume maximum because the
combustion of aromatics can cause smoke and carbon or soot deposition which
can affect the life of combustion chamber
 Paraffines > naphthenes > aromatics in combustion quality
 olefins have good combustion quality but poor gum stability
 Report XX.X% vol max 25 % vol
Jet A-1 Quality Control
7- Total sulfur ASTM D4294
 Sulfur compounds affect the fuel performance in the combustion chamber -
 Sulfur oxides formed during combustion may be corrosive to turbine metal parts
 Report 0.XX % mass max 0.30 % mass

8- mercaptan sulfur ASTM D3227

 Mercaptan are reactive with certain elastomers ( polymer ) and corrosive to fuel
system metals –unpleasant odor
 Report 0.XXXX %mass
 Max 0.0030 % mass

9- Flash point ASTM D 56 (Tag)

 Indicates the fuel handling and safety precautions
 Indication of the maximum temperature for fuel handling and storage without
serious fire hazard
 Report to nearest 0.5 oC min 40 oC
Jet A-1 Quality Control
10- Freezing point ASTM 7153
 Indicates the fuel Fluidity at low temperature
 The long duration flights requires lower freezing point than short duration flights.
 The maximum freezing point are set for all types of aviation fuel as a guide to the lowest temperature at
which the fuel can be used without risk of solidification of hydrocarbons that can restrict the flow of fuel
through filter system
 Wax and high end point affect the freezing point .
 Report XX.X oC max. -47 oC

11- Viscosity @ -20 oC ASTM D 445

 Indicates the fuel Fluidity at low temperature
 Viscosity is related to pump ability over temperature range to ensure the fuel injection nozzles and system
controls will operate down to design temperature.
 The ability of fuel to lubricate a pump may also relate to the viscosity.
 Report XX.X cSt
 Maximum 8 cSt (mm2/s).

12 - Smoke point ASTM D1322

 Indicates the combustion properties of jet fuel
 Indication of relative smoke producing properties of jet fuel and its related to the hydrocarbon type
composition of such fuels-More aromatic have low smoke point and high smoke point indicates a fuel of
low smoke properties tendency.
 Smoke point is inversely proportional to the Aromatics content of fuel.
 Report XX.X mm
 minimum 25 mm
Jet A-1 Quality Control
13- Distillation ASTM D86
 Indicates fuel volatility and ease of vaporization at different temperatures (Fuel Atomization)
 IBP ------------------------------------------- relationship with flash point
 10% ------------------------------------------indication of volatile HC to ensure easy starting max. 205
oC
 50% ----------------------------------------- stabilization of fuel and it is not consists of low boiling point
and high boiling point component only.
 90 % ----------------------------------------- indication of heavy components which difficult to vaporize
 E.P max 300 oC
 10% & 50% & 90% used for specific energy calculation
 IBP and 10% effect on the flash point and ease of ignition
 50% is more relative to viscosity
 E.P is indication of heavy materials that give poor fuel vaporization and affect on engine
combustion performance
 Report XXX.X oC
 Residue x.x %vol 1.5% max
 Loss x.x %vol 1.5% max

14 - Naphthalene ASTM D 1840

 Indication of combustion characteristic of jet fuel because naphthalene when burned tend to
sooty flame, smoke and thermal radiation than single ring aromatics.

 Jet A-1 Quality Control

15- Copper corrosion ASTM D 130, 2 hours @100 oC

 To ensure that the jet fuel will not corrode copper or any
copper – base alloys in various parts of the fuel system
 max 1b

16- Silver corrosion IP227, 4 hours @50 oC

 To ensure that the jet fuel will not corrode silver or any
silver – base alloys in various parts of the fuel system
 max 1
Jet A-1 Quality Control
17-WSIM ASTM D 3948
 Measure the ability of fuel to separate water through fiber glass coalescer.
 Provides a measure of the presence of surface active materials (surfactant)
 High rating indicates the water is easily coalesced (clay filter used in kerosene
merox U-06 to remove surfactant) and fuel is free of surfactant materials
 Surfactants is surface active material that exhibit both water soluble and oil soluble
properties and affect the water oil separation by forming emulsions.
 Report whole number XX min 70 with SDA
 min 85 without SDA

18- Electrical conductivity ASTM D 2624

 Indicates the static electricity
 The ability of fuel to dissipate charge that has been generated during pumping and
transportation.
 Electrical conductivity depends on ion species
 If the conductivity is high charge dissipate fast enough to prevent their accumulation
and dangerous high potentials in receiving tank are avoided
 Report whole no PS /m @ temperature oC
 Range 50 - 600 PS/M
Jet A-1 Quality Control
19- Thermal oxidation stability JFTOT ASTM D 3241
 It’s the ability of fuel to withstand relatively high temperature for short periods of time in presence of
oxidation and without deposits and coke formation or deterioration of properties (Degradation)
 Indicative of fuel performance during gas turbine operation and can be to assess the level of deposits that
form when liquid fuel contacts heated surface
 Report temperature 260 oC ∆p whole no mmHg spec max 25mmHg
 heater tube deposit rating spec < 3 max

20- Existent gum IP 540

 Indicates the fuel storage stability
 existent gum is a non volatile residue left after evaporation of fuel
 Gum formation leads to peroxides formation which affects the certain elastomers in the fuel system.
 Indication of storage stability of fuel because unstable fuels oxidize and form polymeric oxidation products
(gum) which remain as resinous solid on carburetor valve ,large quantities of gum are indicative of
contamination of fuel by higher boiling point oils or particulate matter
 -the existent gum value is the gum actually present in the fuel at the time of test and is measured as the
weight of residue obtained of controlled evaporation of standard volume of fuel
 Unsaturated H.C (olefins) and hetero cyclic atoms (S, N, O) are relatively unstable and gives rise to
excessive gum formation
 The storage stability is the ability of fuel to remain in storage over extended period of time without gum
formation (sticky residues) or sediment formation.
 The accelerated test ASTM D 873 is a safeguard of storage stability and predicts the possibility of gum
forming during protected storage and decomposition of Anti Knock additives.
 The fuel is heated for 16 hours with oxygen under pressure in a bomb at 100 C and then the both gum
content and amount of precipitate are determined.
 Report whole number to the nearest 1 mg /100ml max 7 mg/100ml
Diesel Quality Control

1- Density ASTM D 4052

 Range 820.0 – 870.0 Kg/M3

2- Color ASTM D 1500

 Indication of product contamination by high boiling point components
 max 4.0
 Report X.X

3-Appearance
 particulate (rust & sand and dirt) effect in filter of fuel system
 Visual
 Report clear & bright (free from free water and particulate)
Diesel Quality Control
4- Flash point ASTM D 93
 for safety precautions during fuel and storage
 A flash point that is too low will cause fuel to be a fire hazard and may indicate
contamination by more volatile component such as jet fuel
 min 55.0 oC
 Report to nearest oC

5- Kinematic viscosity @ 40.0 oC ASTM D 445

 Viscosity of diesel is important because it's affected on the handling of the fuel by the
pump and injector system
 A high viscosity can result in poor atomization forming a spray pattern of large
droplets. As the result the fuel is not distributed in, mixed with air required for burring,
poor combustion is a result and loss of power and economy
 High viscosity causing dilution of the crankcase oil.
 low viscosity can produce too soft spray and combustion is reduced and power out put
and economy are decreased
 Specification 2 – 6 cSt @ 40.0 oC
 Report X.X
Diesel Quality Control
6- Distillation (volatility) ASTM D 86
 The volatility requirement of diesel fuel varies with engine speed, size and design.
 Fuels having too low volatility tend to reduce power out put and fuel economy
through poor atomization.
 Fuel having too high volatility may reduce power out put and fuel economy through
vapor lock in the fuel system
 The distillation range should be low as possible without affecting the flash point.
Burning quality, heat content and viscosity
 If the 10% is too high, poor starting may result
 An excessive boiling rang from 10-50% evaporated may increase warm up time
 The temperature for 50% evaporated is known mid-boiling point and usually is taken
as an overall indication the fuel distillation characteristics
 High temperature @50% cause smoke formation and objectionable odor ,cause
lubricating oil contamination and promote engine deposits
 low temperature @ 50% would have too low a viscosity and heat content per unit
volume
 low 90% and F.B.P tend to ensure low carbon residue and minimum crankcase oil
dilution.
 The evaporated @ 350oC should be ≥85% to ensure the fuel contains easily
sprayed distillates in fuel engine.
Diesel Quality Control
7- Centane number ASTM D613
 The percentage by volume of normal cetane [hexadecaneC16H34] (cetane no= 100)
is blend with heptane methyl nonane (cetane no = 15)
 Cetane number for high speed diesel engines in the range of 45 – 55 cetane number
 Higher the cetane number tend to result in easier starting particularly in the cold
weather, and faster warm up and small amount combustion chamber deposits and
reduced exhaust smoke and a dour
 Cetane number (C.N) indicates the ability of a diesel engine fuel to ignite quickly after
being injected into the cylinder
 The higher cetane number the more easily the fuel can be ignited and have shorter
ignition delay periods than the lower cetane number
 There is no performance or emission advantage when the cetene number > 55
 Alkyl nitrates and di-tertbutyl peroxides are used as additives to raise the cetane
number cetane number α 1/ignition delay
 Paraffins > isoparaffins > olefins > naphthene > aromatic > poly aromatics
C.N → decrease
 Specification 50 minimum
 Report whole number
Diesel Quality Control

8-Cetane index ASTM D976

 Cetane index ± 2 = cetane number
 Specification min 48
 Report XX.X

9- Carbon residue ASTM D4530

 Carbon residue is the amount of carbonaceous residue remaining
after thermal decomposition of fuel give an indication of the amount
of coke that will be formed during thermal process and amount of
high boiling compounds in the fuel
 0.1 % mass maximum on 10% residue
 Report to the nearest 0.1% mass
Diesel Quality Control
10- Ash content ASTM D 482
 ash is the inorganic residue (metals) remains after burning off carbonaceous matter.
 Report X.XXX mass %
 0.01 % mass maximum

11- Pour point ASTM D 5950

 The pour point of a fuel is an indication of the lowest temperature at which the fuel can be
pumped
 Max zero oC
 Report multiples of 3°C.

12 -Cloud point (wax appearance point) ASTM D 5771

 cloud point is the importance in that it define the temperature at which a cloud or haze of wax
crystals appears in the oil under test conditions and related also to the temperature at which
wax crystals begin to precipitate from the oil in use
 specification 5 oC maximum

13 -Cold filter plugging point C.F.P.P ASTM D 6371

 C.F.P.P is suitable for estimating the lowest temperature at which diesel fuel will give trouble –
free flow in certain fuel systems
 Pour point ------ C.F.P.P ----- cloud point
5C
o
------ 1Co
----- 0 oC
Diesel Quality Control
14- lubricity ASTM D 6079
 lubricity is qualitative term describing the ability of a fluid to affect friction
between, and wear to surfaces in relative motion under load
 Wear is damage to solid surface and loss of material due to relative motion
between that surface and a contacting substance
 Diesel fuel functions as a lubricant in certain items of fuel injection equipment
such as rotary distributor fuel pumps and injectors.
 In limited cases fuel with very specific properties can have insufficient
lubricating properties which can lead to a reduction in the normal services life of
fuel pumps or injectors.
 specification 520 micron max
 Report wear scar diameter (WSD) to the nearest 10 µm

17- Sulfur ASTM D 4294

 sulfur cause wear and deposits on engine and can affect emission control
systems performance
 Maximum 0.200 mass %
 Report X.XXX mass %
THANKS