Significance and Use
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.
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 D 1744, D 2276, D 2709, and D 4860, permit quantitative determinations of contaminants. No relationship has been established between Procedure 2 and various quantitative methods.
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.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.
D1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
D1744 Test Method for Determination of Water in Liquid Petroleum Products by Karl Fischer Reagent
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
D4860 Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Middle Distillate Fuels (Clear and Bright Numerical Rating)
cleanliness; distillate fuel; free water; particulate contamination; visual inspection; visual ratings; Appearance of materials; Clarity/cleanness; Clear and bright rating; Color--petroleum products; Contamination--petroleum products; Distillate fuels; Particulate contamination (petroleum); Pass-fail test; Visual examination--petroleum products; Water analysis--petroleum products testing;
ICS Number Code 75.160.20 (Liquid fuels)
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Citing ASTM Standards
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