Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is intended for use in the laboratory or in the field to evaluate the cleanliness of distillate fuels, and liquid biofuels, such as biodiesel and diesel blends. This specific test method and the precision statement applies to off-line analysis.
NOTE 5: These PCMs can be used for high pressure on-line applications as well, however the repeatability (r) and reproducibility (R) for on-line application were not established.
5.2 An increase in particulate counts can indicate a change in the fuel condition caused for example by contamination during storage or transfer. Potential causes of particulates formation during storage could be “fuel-degradation products,” as described in Specification D975, Appendix X3.
5.3 High levels of particles can cause filter blockages (especially when the particles are close in size to the filter porosity rating) and have a serious impact on the life of pumps, injectors, pistons, and other moving parts. Knowledge of particle size in relation to the metallurgy can provide vital information, especially if the hardness of particles is also known from other sources.
5.4 This test method specifies a minimum requirement for reporting measurements in particle size bands (A1.2.1). Some specific applications may require measurements in other particle size bands. The particle count from the test should be carefully interpreted by the user as it can potentially over-state risk of abrasive damage or filter blocking due to counting water droplets as well as hard dirt particles.
5.5 In situations where there is a requirement for the calibration of the apparatus to be solely in accordance with ISO 11171, Test Methods D7619, IP 565, or IP 577 may be used.
Scope
1.1 This test method uses specific particle contamination monitors (PCMs) to count and measure the size of dispersed dirt particles, water droplets and other particulates, in middle distillate fuel, in the overall range from 4 µm to 70 µm and in the size bands ≥4 µm, ≥6 µm, ≥14 µm, and ≥30 µm.
NOTE 1: The term particle contamination monitor, as used in this test method, is the same as that defined in ISO 21018-4; an instrument that automatically measures the concentrations of particles suspended in a fluid at certain sizes and cannot be calibrated in accordance with ISO 11171 whose output may be as a particle size distribution at limited sizes or as a contamination code.
1.2 This test method has interim repeatability precision only, see Section 14 for more information.
NOTE 2: ASTM specification fuels falling within the scope of this test method include Specifications: D975, D1655, D3699, D7467, MIL-DTL-83133, MIL-DTL-5624, and distillate grades of D396 and D2880.
NOTE 3: For the purposes of this test method, water droplets are counted as particles, and agglomerated particles are detected and counted as a single larger particle. Dirt includes microbial particulates. Although the projected area of a particle is measured, this is expressed as the diameter of a circle for the purposes of this test method. The detector is unable to distinguish between dirt and water particles.
NOTE 4: This test method may be used for particle sizes bands up to 70 µm, however the interim repeatability has only been determined for the size bands ≥4 µm, ≥6 µm, and ≥14 µm. All measurements are counts per millilitre.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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.
