Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is intended for use in the laboratory or in the field for evaluating the cleanliness of distillate fuels, and liquid bio fuels. It is not applicable to on or in-line applications.
5.2 This test method offers advantage over traditional filtration methods in that it is a precise rapid test, and advantage over visual methods as it is not subjective.
5.3 An increase in particle counts can indicate a change in the fuel condition caused by storage or transfer for example.
5.4 High levels of particles can cause filter blockages 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.
5.5 This test method specifies a minimum requirement for reporting measurements in particle size bands (see A1.1.2). Some specific applications may require measurements in other particle size bands.
Scope
1.1 This test method uses a specific automatic particle counter2 (APC) to count and measure the size of dispersed dirt particles, water droplets and other particles, in light and middle distillate fuel, and bio fuels such as biodiesel and biodiesel blends, in the overall range from 4 µm(c) to 100 µm(c) and in the size bands ≥4 µm(c), ≥6 µm(c), and ≥14 µm(c).
