Significance and Use
5.1 The present and growing international governmental requirements to add fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) to diesel fuel has had the unintended side-effect of leading to potential FAME contamination of jet turbine fuel in multifuel transport facilities such as cargo tankers and pipelines, and industry wide concerns.
5.2 Analytical methods have been developed with the capability of measuring down to <5 mg/kg levels of FAME, however these are complex, and require specialized personnel and laboratory facilities. This Rapid Screening method has been developed for use in the supply chain by non specialized personnel to cover the range of 10 mg/kg to 150 mg/kg. Scope 1.1 This test method specifies a rapid screening method using flow analysis by Fourier transform infrared (FA-FTIR) spectroscopy with partial least squares (PLS-1) processing for the determination of the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content of aviation turbine fuel (AVTUR), in the range of 10 mg/kg to 150 mg/kg. NOTE 1: Specifications falling within the scope of this test method are: Specification D1655 and Defence Standard 91-91. NOTE 2: This test method detects all FAME components, with peak IR absorbance at approximately 1749 cm-1 and C8 to C22 molecules, as specified in standards such as Specification D6751 and EN 14214. The accuracy of the method is based on the molecular weight of C16 to C18 FAME species; the presence of other FAME species with different molecular weights could affect the accuracy. NOTE 3: Additives such as antistatic agents, antioxidants and corrosion inhibitors are measured with the FAME by the FTIR spectrometer. However the effects of these additives are removed by the flow analysis processing. NOTE 4: FAME concentrations from 150 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg, and below 10 mg/kg can be measured but the precision could be affected. 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. Go to ASTM D7797 at ASTM.org
