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Bureau
of Petroleum Technology
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Fuel
Oil |
Flash point | Distillation
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Sulfur
Kinematic Viscosity
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Water/Sediment |
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Fuel Oil |
Fuel Oil Testing Program
A routine diesel fuel, heating oil or jet fuel samples will be analyzed
for most or all of the following parameters to meet specifications
established in Nevada
Administrative Code Section 590 and, by reference, ASTM D975-97,
D396-98, D3699-98 or D1655-97.
Flashpoint |
Flashpoint by ASTM D93
Flash point is defined as the temperature to which a fuel must be heated
to produce an ignitable vapor-air mixture above the liquid fuel when
exposed to an open flame.
Flash point is important primarily from a fuel-handling standpoint. Too
low a flash point will cause fuel to be a fire hazard, subject to
flashing, and possible continued ignition and explosion. In addition, a
low-flash point may indicate contamination by more volatile and
explosive fuels, such as gasoline.
A very important reason to maintain the flash point as high as possible
is due to the electrostatic hazards in pumping distillate fuels. Never
dispense kerosene or diesel fuel into a tank or container that
previously contained gasoline or other flammable material.
Distillation |
Distillation by ASTM D2887 or
D86
Volatility of a diesel fuel is measured by
distillation.
While volatility has no direct affect on power or economy, less
volatile (higher boiling) fuels normally have a higher heating value and
thus performance is indirectly affected. Starting and warm-up are better
with higher front-end volatility (lower 10% distillation temperature),
and deposit formation, wear, and exhaust smoke are increased, in some
engines, by higher 90% and end points.
Failure to meet distillation requirements would contribute to
increased emissions of pollutants.
Sulfur
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Sulfur by ASTM D5623
Sulfur
is an element that is normally found in varying amounts in all petroleum
products. As a result of combustion, sulfur compounds of an acidic or
corrosive nature are produced and contribute to combustion chamber and
valve deposits, exceptional wear on the engine, and increased atmosphere
pollution. Through recent EPA regulations, the sulfur limit for
on-highway diesel fuels has been reduced from 0.50% to 0.05% by weight.
High sulfur fuels are still available. However, they are not for highway
use and must be colored red. Also, the Internal Revenue Service requires
certain fuels to be dyed for tax purposes. Therefore, highway diesel
should not contain any dyes.
Viscosity
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Kinematic viscosity by ASTM D445
Kinematic viscosity is an important physical property of a diesel fuel
affecting injector lubrication and fuel atomization.
Diesel fuels with extremely low viscosities may not provide
sufficient lubrication for the closely-fit pumps and injector plungers.
They can promote abnormal wear and cause injector leakage and
dribbling leading to loss of power and smoke problems.
Improper viscosity leads to poor combustion, which results in
loss of power and excessive exhaust smoke.
Water
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Water/sediment by Visual Inspection
Water and sediment in fuel is our program's most frequent consumer
complaint. As most are aware, water makes a very undesirable fuel and
sediment has a tendency to clog filters and jets.
ASTM requires fuel oils to be visually free of undissolved water,
sediment, and suspended matter: Diesel #1 and Diesel #1 must have less
than 0.05% vol and Diesel #4 must have less than 0.50 % vol. The
presence of water and/or sediment can lead to improper motor operation
and thus excess emissions of pollutants.
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NOTE:
The reproducibility of each method
is applied before enforcement action
is taken.
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Contact Information
Sparks Office
2150 Frazer Avenue
Sparks, Nevada 89431
Phone: (775) 688-1166
FAX: (775) 688-2533 |
