Take a Closer Look at Our Aviation Fuel Testing Methods

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This laboratory test method covers the quantitative determination of the knock rating of liquid spark-ignition engine fuel in terms of Motor Octane Number, including fuels that contain up to 25% v/v of ethanol. However, this test method may not be applicable to fuel and fuel components that are primarily oxygenates. The sample fuel is tested in a standardized single cylinder, four-stroke cycle, variable compression ratio, carbureted, CFR engine run in accordance with a defined set of operating conditions. The octane number scale is defined by the volumetric composition of primary reference fuel blends. The sample fuel knock intensity is compared to that of one or more primary reference fuel blends. The octane number of the primary reference fuel blend that matches the knock intensity of the sample fuel establishes the Motor Octane Number.

This laboratory test method covers the quantitative determination of the knock rating of liquid spark-ignition engine fuel in terms of Motor Octane Number, including fuels that contain up to 25% v/v of ethanol. However, this test method may not be applicable to fuel and fuel components that are primarily oxygenates. The sample fuel is tested in a standardized single cylinder, four-stroke cycle, variable compression ratio, carbureted, CFR engine run in accordance with a defined set of operating conditions. The octane number scale is defined by the volumetric composition of primary reference fuel blends. The sample fuel knock intensity is compared to that of one or more primary reference fuel blends. The octane number of the primary reference fuel blend that matches the knock intensity of the sample fuel establishes the Motor Octane Number.

This laboratory test method covers the quantitative determination of supercharge ratings of spark-ignition aviation gasoline. The sample fuel is tested using a standardized single cylinder, four-stroke cycle, indirect injected, liquid cooled, CFR engine run in accordance with a defined set of operating conditions.

This laboratory test method covers the quantitative determination of supercharge ratings of spark-ignition aviation gasoline. The sample fuel is tested using a standardized single cylinder, four-stroke cycle, indirect injected, liquid cooled, CFR engine run in accordance with a defined set of operating conditions.

These test methods cover the determination of lead and manganese gasoline additives content by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF).

This test method covers the determination of the acceptability of the color of dyed aviation gasoline.

This test method covers the determination of the density, relative density, and API Gravity of petroleum distillates.

This test method covers the atmospheric distillation of petroleum products and liquid fuels using a laboratory batch distillation unit to determine quantitatively the boiling range characteristics of such products as light and middle distillates, automotive spark-ignition engine fuels with or without oxygenates, aviation gasoline, aviation turbine fuels, diesel fuels, biodiesel blends up to 30% volume, marine fuels, special petroleum spirits, naphthas, white spirits, kerosines, and Grades 1 and 2 burner fuels. 

This test method covers the use of automated vapor pressure instruments to determine the total vapor pressure exerted in a vacuum by air-containing, volatile, liquid petroleum products and liquid fuels, including automotive spark-ignition fuels with or without oxygenates and with ethanol blends up to 85% (volume fraction). This test method is suitable for testing samples with boiling points above 0° C (32 °F) that exert a vapor pressure between 7 kPa and 130 kPa (1.0 psi and 18.6 psi) at 37.8° C (100° F) at a vapor-to-liquid ratio of 4:1. Measurements are made on liquid sample sizes in the range of1 mL to 10 mL. No account is made for dissolved water in the sample.

This test method covers the determination of the temperature below which solid hydrocarbon crystals may form in aviation turbine fuels and aviation gasoline. If no crystallization point or freezing point can be measured, this test can be used to report the lowest measurable temperature reached before the crystallization point.

This test method covers the determination of total sulfur in petroleum and petroleum products that are single-phase and either liquid at ambient conditions, liquefiable with moderate heat, or soluble in hydrocarbon solvents. These materials can include diesel fuel, jet fuel, kerosene, other distillate oil, naphtha, residual oil, lubricating base oil, hydraulic oil, crude oil, unleaded gasoline, gasoline-ethanol blends, and biodiesel.

This test method covers the estimation of the net heat of combustion (megajoules per kilogram or [Btu per pound]) of aviation gasoline and aircraft turbine and jet engine fuels in the range from 40.19 MJ/kg to 44.73 MJ/kg or [17,280 Btu/lb to 19,230 Btu/lb]. The precision for estimation of the net heat of combustion outside this range has not been determined for this test method.

This test method covers the determination of the corrosiveness to copper of aviation gasoline, aviation turbine fuel, automotive gasoline, cleaners (Stoddard) solvent, kerosene, diesel fuel, distillate fuel oil, lubricating oil, and natural gasoline or other hydrocarbons having a vapor pressure no greater than 124 kPa (18 psi) at 37.8° C. (Warning: Some products, particularly natural gasoline, may have a much higher vapor pressure than would normally be characteristic of automotive or aviation gasoline. For this reason, exercise extreme caution to ensure that the pressure vessel used in this test method and containing natural gasoline or other products of high vapor pressure is not placed in the 100° C (212° F) bath. Samples having vapor pressures of more than 124 kPa (18 psi) may develop sufficient pressures at 100° C to rupture the pressure vessel. For any sample having a vapor pressure above 124 kPa (18 psi), use Test Method D1838.)

This test method covers the determination of the tendency of aviation reciprocating, turbine, and jet engine fuels to form gum and deposits under accelerated aging conditions. (Warning: This test method is not intended for determining the stability of fuel components, particularly those with a high percentage of low boiling unsaturated compounds, as these may cause explosive conditions within the apparatus.)

This test method covers the determination of the presence of water-miscible components in aviation gasoline and turbine fuels, and the effect of these components on volume change and the fuel-water interface.

This test method covers the determination of the electrical conductivity of aviation and distillate fuels with and without a static dissipator additive.