Gas Oil / Diesel / Middle Distillates

BS EN 590 specifies the requirements and test methods for automotive diesel fuel sold in the UK. The specification allows for a Fatty Acid Methyl Ester* (FAME) content of up to 7.0% (v/v) * refers to FAME conforming to BS EN 14214 (Liquid petroleum products: Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for use in diesel engines and heating applications- Requirements and test methods). The INEOS Laboratory can test diesel product with FAME content up to 7% to BS EN590. The INEOS laboratory can also test diesel components.

BS 2869 is the UK specification for fuel oils for agricultural, domestic and industrial engines and boilers. Class D relates to middle distillate fuels for commercial and industrial fixed combustion applications. This grade can contain up to 0.1% sulphur and up to 7% FAME* *refers to FAME conforming to BS EN 14214 (Liquid petroleum products: Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for use in diesel engines and heating applications - Requirements and test methods).

BS 2869 is the UK specification for fuel oils for agricultural, domestic and industrial engines and boilers. Class C relates to kerosene type burner fuels.

Colour-indicator titration method for the determination of acid or basic constituents in petroleum products and lubricants soluble in mixtures of toluene and propan-2-ol. It is applicable for the determination of acids or bases whose dissociation constants in water are greater than 10-9; extremely weak acids or bases whose dissociation constants in water are less than 10-9 do not interfere. Salts react if their hydrolysis constants are greater than 10-9. It is not suitable for measuring the basic constituents of many basic additive-type lubricating oils. This standard indicates relative changes that occur in an oil during use under oxidizing conditions.

This procedure is for the calculation of the cetane index of middle- distillate fuels from petroleum- derived sources. It is applicable to fuels containing non- petroleum derivatives from tar sand and oil shale. It is not applicable to pure hydrocarbons, nor to distillate fuels derived from coal. Cetane index calculations do not take into account the effects from additives used to enhance the cetane number. Cetane index is not an alternative way to express the cetane number; it is a supplementary tool, to be used with due regard for its limitations. It is used to estimate the cetane number of diesel fuel when a test engine is not available to determine this property directly or when insufficient sample is available for an engine rating.

Determination of carbon residue, in the range 0.10 to 30.0% (m/m), left after evaporation and pyrolysis of petroleum products under specified conditions. For products which yield a residue in excess of 0.10% (m/m), the test results are equivalent to those obtained by the Conradson carbon residue test. The carbon residue value may show the tendency of petroleum products to form carbonaceous deposits under similar degradation. Organic nitrates will interfere with the results if present.

Determination of the cloud point of petroleum products and biodiesel fuels that are transparent in layers 40 mm in thickness by automatic instrument with an optical detection device to record the appearance of the cloud point. The test method is applicable to products with cloud points in the range -60°C to +49 °C. The test method produces results to the nearest 0.1°C, which, when rounded to the nearest lower integer, are equivalent to those of the manual procedure IP219.

Determination of the cold filter blocking tendency (CBFT) and cold filterability of middle distillate fuel oils containing biodiesels from 0% to 20% at temperatures between ambient and -5°C where the end use demands and exceptional degree of cleanliness. The method is applicable to fluids within the viscosity range of 1.2mm2/s to 6.0mm2/s at 40°C.

Determination of the content of undissolved substances (total contamination) in the range 12 to 30 mg/kg for diesel fuels (EN 590) containing up to 30% (V/V) fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and neat FAME (EN 14214). This method applies to products having a kinematic viscosity not exceeding 8mm2/s at 20°C or 5mm2/s at 40°C; however, in such cases the precision of the test method has not been defined. For other petroleum, the method may be applicable, but no precision data is available. Excessive contamination in a fuel system can give rise to filter blocking or hardware failure.

This standard specifies a method for the determination of the corrosiveness to copper of liquid petroleum products and certain solvents. Volatile products, having a maximum vapour pressure of 124 kPa at 37.8°C are included.

Method B: Detection and quantification of Coumarin (1,2-benzopyrone) in marked kerosene within the 0.2 – 4.0 mg/l range by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Note: 2 mg/l is the level of addition in the UK set by HMRC.

A UKAS ISO17025 accredited method for the determination of the density of crude petroleum and related products within the range 600 to 1100 kg/m3 by oscillating U-tube density meter. Suitable for liquids of any vapour pressure, that can be kept a single phase with light end evaporation. The density value measured at one temperature can be converted to the density at another temperature using petroleum measurement tables.

This test method covers the quantitative determination of the derived cetane number of diesel fuels (BS EN590), including those containing cetane improver additives. The test method may also be applied to biodiesel and diesel blending components. This test method utilizes a constant volume combustion chamber with direct fuel injection into heated, compressed synthetic air. A dynamic pressure wave is produced from the combustion of the sample. An equation converts the ignition delay and the combustion delay determined from the dynamic pressure curve to a derived cetane number (DCN). This test method covers the ignition delay ranging from 1.9 to 25 ms and combustion delay ranging from 2.5 to 160 ms (30 to 70 DCN).

A UKAS ISO17025 accredited test for the determination of the ash content of petroleum products, such as distillate and residual fuel oils, crude petroleum, lubricating oils, waxes and other petroleum products, in which any ash-forming constituents present are normally considered to be undesirable impurities or contaminants. Ash can result from oil-soluble or water- soluble metallic compounds or from extraneous solids such as dirt and rust. This method is applicable to products having ash contents in the range 0.001% (m/m) to 0.180% (m/m) but does not apply to products that contain ash- forming additives, including certain phosphorus compounds.

This method measures Quinizarin in marked gas oil in the range 0.04 - 3.00 mg/l. The Quinizarin is first extracted from the fuel and then analysed by UV/Vis spectrophotometer. Quantification is by comparison of the visible absorption spectrum to that of a standard solution.

The determination of the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) of diesel and domestic heating fuels using automated or manual test equipment. Automated test equipment is the referee method and is suitable for estimating the lowest temperature at which a fuel will give trouble-free flow in the fuel system. This standard is applicable to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and to distillate fuels as well as paraffinic diesel fuels, including those containing FAME, flow- improvers or other additives, intended for use in diesel engines and domestic heating installations. The difference in results obtained from the sample as received and after heat treatment at 45° C for 30 min can be used to investigate issues observed during use at low temperature.

Method A: For determining the lubricity properties of diesel fuels, including those fuels, which could contain a lubricity-enhancing additive this method, uses the high- frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR). This method applies to fuels used in diesel engines. Note: it is not known if this test method will predict the performance of all additive/ fuel combinations, including paraffinic fuels for which no additional correlation testing has been performed. Nevertheless, no data has been presented to suggest that such fuels are not within scope.

Determination of the distillation characteristics of light and middle distillates derived from petroleum and having initial boiling points above 0°C and end point below approximately 400°C.

Determination of the electrical rest conductivity of aviation and distillate fuels, with or without a static dissipater additive, in the range 1 pS/m to 1500 pS/m using a portable meter. Conductivities greater than 1500 pS/m can be measured but there is no precision for these values. Please note that equipment manufacturer’s instructions would be followed in the case.

Determination of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) content in diesel fuel or domestic heating fuel by mid infrared spectrometry. The method covers two ranges - A: FAME contents of 0.05 to 3% (V/V); B: FAME contents of 3 to 20% (V/V). Higher FAME contents can be measured if diluted. This test method is applicable to samples which contain FAME conforming to EN 14214 or EN 14213. Esters and other carbonyl compounds which possess absorption bands in the spectral region used for quantification of FAME will interfere with the result. For conversion of grams FAME per litre (g FAME/l) to volume fraction, a fixed density for FAME of 883.0 kg/m3 is adopted.

The determination of the oxidation stability of fuels for diesel engines, by means of measuring the induction period of the fuel up to 48 hours. The method is applicable to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) intended for the use as pure biofuel or as a blending component for diesel fuels, and to blends of FAME with diesel fuel containing 2% (V/V) of FAME at minimum. The presence of cetane improver can reduce the oxidation stability determined by this test method.

The determination of filter blocking tendency (FBT) and filterability of middle distillate fuel oils and non- petroleum liquid fuels such as biodiesel, where the end use demands and exceptional degree of cleanliness. The method is applicable to fuels within the viscosity range of 1.5mm2/s to 6.0 mm2/s at 40 °C.

Procedure A: The determination of the flash point of combustible liquids, liquids with suspended solids, liquids that tend to form a surface film under the test conditions, biodiesel, heating oil and turbine fuels, new and in-use lubricating oils, paints and varnishes and other liquids in the temperature range of 40°C to 370°C.

Procedure 1 provides a rapid pass/fail method 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 colour of 5 or less.

Procedure 2 provides a gross numerical rating of haze appearance 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 colour of 5 or less

Test method for the evaluation of the burning properties of kerosene, which is used for illumination and/or heating purposes, in the range 0 - 30 mg/kg.

This test method is to quantify viable aerobic microorganisms present as contaminants in middle distillate fuels, gasolines, biofuel blends and residual fuels and associated water. The procedure quantitatively assess the viable aerobic microbial content as microbial colony forming units (cfu) and determines whether the microbial contamination in samples drawn from fuel tanks and systems is absent or present at light, moderate and heavy levels.

This procedure is for the measurement of inherent stability of middle- distillate petroleum fuels under accelerated oxidizing conditions. It is not applicable to fuels containing residual components, or any significant component from a non- petroleum source. The method provides a basis for the estimation of the storage stability, under the conditions of this test, of middle- distillate fuels with an initial boiling point above approximately 175°C and 90 % (V/V) recovery point below 370°C. It will not provide a prediction of the quantity of insoluble that will form in field storage over any given period. The amount of such insoluble is subject to the specific conditions, which are too variable for this test method to predict accurately. Substances such as Copper or Chromium that catalyses oxidation reactions will cause greater quantities of insoluble to form.

Method for the determination of the cloud point of petroleum products which are transparent in layers 40 mm in thickness and have a cloud point below 49 °C amongst which are diesel fuels with up to 30% (V/V) of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), paraffinic diesel fuels with up to 7% (V/V) FAME, 100% FAME and lubricants.

Method for the determination of the pour point of petroleum products. A separate procedure suitable for the determination of the lower pour point of fuel oils, heavy lubricant base stock, and products containing residual fuel components is also described.

Determination of water in petroleum products boiling below 390°C. It covers the mass fraction range 0.003% (m/m) to 0.100% (m/m). It is not applicable to products containing ketones or residual fuel oils. It may be applicable to lubricating base oils; however the precision has not been established for these materials.

The manual and automated procedure to determine the smoke point of kerosene. The smoke point of kerosene is related to the hydrocarbon type composition and provides an indication of relative smoke- producing properties in a diffusion flame. The automated procedure is the referee procedure.

A UKAS ISO17025 accredited method for the determination of the sulphur content of petroleum products such as naphtha, unleaded motor gasoline, middle distillates, residual fuel oil, base lubricating oil and their components. The method is for products with sulphur content of 0.03 to 5.00 % (m/m). Heavy metal additives, eg lead alkyls, and some elements may interfere with the measurement.

Test method for the determination of sulphur content in the range 3 to 500 mg/kg by ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence. This method is suitable for motor gasoline (petrol) containing up to 3.7% (m/m) oxygen - including those blended with ethanol up to about 10% (BS EN 228) and diesel fuels, including those containing up to about 30% (V/V) fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), (BS EN590) and other products and feed streams. Halogens >3500 mg/kg interfere with this measurement. For diesel containing cetane improver, the sample should be checked for nitrogen interference. The sulphur content is measured by pyrolysis of the sample followed by detection by UV fluorescence. For sulphur content <3ppm, ASTM D5453 is used.

Determination of the kinematic and dynamic viscosities of transparent and opaque liquid hydrocarbons. The time for a volume of liquid to flow through a calibrated glass capillary viscometer under gravity is measured and the kinematic viscosity calculated by multiplying this time by the Viscometer Constant. Dynamic viscosity is kinematic viscosity x density. The range of kinematic viscosities covered by this test method is from 0.2 mm2/s to 300000mm2/s over the temperature range -20°C to +150°C.

The determination of the acidic constituents in petroleum products, lubricating oils, biodiesel and blends of biodiesel. The method may be used to indicate relative changes that occur in a lubricating oil during use under oxidizing conditions regardless of the colour or other properties of the resulting oil. It is not intended to measure an absolute acidic property that can be used to predict performance of a lubricating oil under service conditions. NOTE 1: In new and used lubricating oils, the constituents that may be considered to have acidic characteristics include organic and inorganic acids, esters, phenolic compounds, lactones, resins, salts of heavy metals, salts of ammonia and other weak bases, acid salts of polybasic acids and additives such as inhibitors and detergents. NOTE 2: The acid number obtained by this standard may or may not be numerically the same as that obtained in accordance with IP139.