Determining Water Separation Characteristics of Kerosine-Type Aviation Turbine Fuels Containing Additives by Portable Separometer

NOTE- This method requires the use of the Mcell Coalescer cell in order to meet the reproducibility and repeatability referenced in the Standard.

EMCEE MODEL 1140 Microseparometer - self contained, portable, suitable for laboratory and field use.

INTRODUCTION

This test method was developed to satisfy three objectives: (1) Develop a test method that would respond in the same manner as Test Method D3948 to strong surfactants, but not give low micro-separometer (MSEP) ratings to fuels containing weak surfactants (additives) that do not degrade the performance of commercial filter separator elements; (2) Use filter media in the coalescer test that would be representative of the filtration media in commercial filter separator elements; and (3) Improve the precision of the test method compared to Test Method D3948.

This test method was developed using material that is representative of coalescing materials currently used in commercial filter separator elements. The fiberglass coalescing material used in Test Method D3948 was suitable for coalescing filters in use when that test method was developed, but developments in coalescing elements in the intervening years have resulted in improved materials that are not affected by weak surfactants. Test Method D3948 yields low results on some additized fuels that do not affect the performance of filter separators  (coalescing filters) in actual service. Since this test method was developed with material that is representative of the media used in current filter separators, the results by this test method are more relevant to performance in current filter separators.

1. Scope*

1.1 This test method covers a rapid portable means for field and laboratory use to rate the ability of kerosine-type aviation turbine fuels, both neat and those containing additives, to release entrained or emulsified water when passed through fiberglass coalescing material.

1.1.1 This test method is applicable to kerosine-type aviation turbine fuels including: Jet A and Jet A-1 (as described in Specification D1655); JP-5, JP-7, JP-8, and JP-8+100. (See Section 6.)

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

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

*Extracted, with permission, from D 7224-13 Standard Test Method for Determining Water Separation Characteristics of  Kerosine-Type Aviation Turbine Fuels Containing Additives by Portable Separometer . Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Dr, West Conshohocken, Pa. 19428. A copy of the complete standard may be purchased from ASTM International at www.astm.org.