Water Separation Characteristic, Free Water And Particulate Testing (ASTM Standard Test Methods D3948, D7224, D7261 & D4860)(D3948 is included in Specifications D1655 and D7566)

For quality control purposes, water separation characteristics of fuels are rated to determine the amount of surface active materials (surfactants) present. Surfactants degrade the performance of filter separators used to remove water from the fuel. The presence of water can impair engine performance and initiate microbiological growth, which can cause corrosion in tanks and filter plugging in fuel lines. Also for quality control purposes, fuels are subjected to “Clear & Bright” tests to determine the amount of free water and particulate matter in mid-distillates.

Description of Instrument & Tests
The Model 1140 Micro-Separometer is a electro-mechanical instrument used to perform four discrete tests. ASTM Standard Test Methods D3948 (Jet), D7224 (Jet) and D7261 (Diesel) are used to rate water separation characteristics and D4860 (Jet or Diesel) detects and numerically rates free water and particulate contamination.  This instrument performs each of the four tests above simply by using one of the four “Six Packs” containing the proper coalescer cells.

Water Separation Characteristic
Test Method D3948, D7224 and D7261 employs the use of a turbidimeter, a mechanical mixer, and a disposable coalescer filter based on 5th edition API certified media. A portion of the sample, in a clear glass vial, is used to set the meter to read 100. The sample in the vial is discarded and the vial is retained.
Another portion of the sample in a plastic syringe is used to create a water/fuel emulsion using the mixer. The emulsion is passed through the filter at a programmed rate and a portion is collected in the retained vial. The vial is replaced in the turbidimeter and the water separation characteristic of the fuel is rated.
The value obtained is compared to the unprocessed sample that was used to set the meter to 100. The higher the rating, 100 being the maximum, the less surfactant present.

“Six Pack” Test Expendables Including Coalescer Cells
A box commonly known as a “Six Pack” that contains six test kits is shown. Each Test Kit contains vacuum packed expendables that are used to perform a single test. Each coalescer/filter is labeled to identify the type of fuel and the applicable ASTM method to be used. A container of distilled water is also included in each Six Pack to perform water separation tests.