ASTM D6748-02a(2017)
Standard Test Method for Determination of Potential Instability of Middle Distillate Fuels Caused by the Presence of Phenalenes and Phenalenones (Rapid Method by Portable Spectrophotometer)

Standard No.

ASTM D6748-02a(2017)

Release Date

2002

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM D6748-22

Latest

ASTM D6748-22

Scope

5.1 Storage stability depends on complex interactions. It varies with feedstock type and source, and the processing used. The rate of degradation may not change uniformly with temperature. Chemical reactions may lead to a change in color followed by the formation of soluble gums and insoluble sediments. Insoluble sediments may overload filters, and plug nozzles and injectors.

5.2 This test method, which does not require the test sample to be heated, uses a portable apparatus and allows tests to be carried out on site or in the laboratory to give a result within 358201;min.

5.3 The potential beneficial effects of stability additives in fuels may not be recognized by this test method. Therefore, the actual storage stability of middle distillate fuels with stability additives may not be correctly indicated by these test results.

5.4 The unstable reactive compounds (phenalenes and phenalenones) detected by this test method may be present in fuels containing catalytically cracked or straight run materials and can affect the potential instability of the fuel.

5.5 If this test method is used by any party for a rapid assessment of stability, it is the responsibility of parties concerned to decide whether or not this procedure yields meaningful results.

5.6 Interpretation of results and correlation with other test methods is given in Appendix X1.

1.1 This test method covers a procedure3 for the rapid determination of phenalenes and phenalenones in middle distillate fuels, including marine, automotive, heating, and gas turbine fuel such as those specified in Specifications D396, D975, D2069, and D2880. Phenalenes and phenalenones affect the potential instability of fuels, leading to fuel degradation products during storage, which may cause performance problems.

1.2 This test method is applicable to both dyed and undyed fuels at all points in the distribution chain from refinery to end-user. It is not applicable to fuels containing residual oil. The portable apparatus allows the whole test to be conducted on site or in a laboratory and does not require the test sample to be heated.

1.3 This test method is suitable for testing samples with a relative absorbance of up to 5.00 absorbance units (AU).

Note 1: The precision of the test method has been established on relative absorbance up to 1.00 AU. For relative absorbance above 1.00 AU the precision may not apply.

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 st......

ASTM D6748-02a(2017) Referenced Document

• ASTM D2069 
• ASTM D2880 Standard Specification for Gas Turbine Fuel Oils
• ASTM D396 Standard Specification for Fuel Oils
• ASTM D4057 Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• ASTM D4177 Standard Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• ASTM D4306 Standard Practice for Aviation Fuel Sample Containers for Tests Affected by Trace Contamination
• ASTM D4625 Standard Test Method for Distillate Fuel Storage Stability at 43176C (110176F)
• ASTM D5854 Standard Practice for Mixing and Handling of Liquid Samples of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• ASTM D6468 Standard Test Method for High Temperature Stability of Distillate Fuels
• ASTM D975 Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils
• ASTM E131 Standard Definitions of Terms and Symbols Relating to Molecular Spectroscopy
• ASTM E275 Standard Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance of Ultraviolet, Visible, and Near-Infrared Spectrophotometers

ASTM D6748-02a(2017) history

• 2022 ASTM D6748-22 Standard Test Method for Determination of Potential Instability of Middle Distillate Fuels Caused by the Presence of Phenalenes and Phenalenones (Rapid Method by Portable Spectrophotometer)
• 2002 ASTM D6748-02a(2017) Standard Test Method for Determination of Potential Instability of Middle Distillate Fuels Caused by the Presence of Phenalenes and Phenalenones (Rapid Method by Portable Spectrophotometer)
• 2002 ASTM D6748-02a(2012) Standard Test Method for Determination of Potential Instability of Middle Distillate Fuels Caused by the Presence of Phenalenes and Phenalenones (Rapid Method by Portable Spectrophotometer)
• 2007 ASTM D6748-02a(2007) Standard Test Method for Determination of Potential Instability of Middle Distillate Fuels Caused by the Presence of Phenalenes and Phenalenones (Rapid Method by Portable Spectrophotometer)
• 2002 ASTM D6748-02a Standard Test Method for Determination of Potential Instability of Middle Distillate Fuels Caused by the Presence of Phenalenes and Phenalenones (Rapid Method by Portable Spectrophotometer)
• 2002 ASTM D6748-02 Standard Test Method for Determination of Potential Instability of Middle Distillate Fuels Caused by the Presence of Phenalenes and Phenalenones (Rapid Method by Portable Spectrophotometer)