ASTM D4176-22

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4176 − 21a D4176 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Distillate Fuels
(Visual Inspection Procedures)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4176; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers two procedures 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 color of 5 or less.
1.1.1 Both procedures can be used as field tests at storage temperatures, or as laboratory tests at controlled temperatures.
1.1.2 Procedure 1 provides a rapid pass/fail method for contamination. Procedure 2 provides a gross numerical rating of haze
appearance.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
D2276 Test Method for Particulate Contaminant in Aviation Fuel by Line Sampling
D2709 Test Method for Water and Sediment in Middle Distillate Fuels by Centrifuge
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
D4176 Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Distillate Fuels (Visual Inspection Procedures)
D4860 Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Middle Distillate Fuels (Clear and Bright Numerical
Rating)
D8148 Test Method for Spectroscopic Determination of Haze in Fuels
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the responsibility of Subcommittee D02.14
on Stability, Cleanliness and Compatibility of Liquid Fuels.
Current edition approved July 1, 2021Oct. 1, 2022. Published August 2021October 2022. Originally approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as
D4176 – 21.D4176 – 21a. DOI: 10.1520/D4176-21A.10.1520/D4176-22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4176 − 22
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
Distillate Fuel Bar Chart
Distillate Fuel Haze Rating Standard
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D4175.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D4175.
3.1.2 clear-and-bright (also termed (clean-and-bright ),n—adj—a condition in which the fuel liquid sample (fuel) contains no
visible water drops or particulates and is free of haze or cloudiness.
3.1.3 free water, n—water in excess of that soluble in the liquid sample (fuel) at the temperature of the test and usually appearing
in the liquid sample (fuel) as a haze (cloudiness), droplets, or water layer.
3.2.3 particulates, n—small solid or semisolid particles, sometimes referred to as silt or sediment, that may or may not be
suspended in the fuel as a result of contamination by air-blown dusts, corrosion by-products, fuel instability, or protective-coating
deterioration.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 particulates, n—small solid or semisolid particles, sometimes referred to as silt or sediment, that may or may not be
suspended in the fuel as a result of contamination by air-blown dusts, corrosion by-products, fuel instability, or protective-coating
deterioration.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 In Procedure 1 approximately 900 mL of fuel is placed into a clear, glass, 1 L jar and is examined visually for clarity. The
sample is then swirled and examined for visual sediment or water drops below the vortex.
4.2 In Procedure 2 approximately 900 mL of fuel is placed into a clear, glass, 1 L jar and is examined visually for clarity. Fuel
clarity is rated by placing a standard bar chart behind the sample and comparing its visual appearance with the standard haze rating
photos. The sample is then swirled and examined for visual sediment or water drops below the vortex.
4.3 When field testing, both Procedures 1 and 2 are performed immediately after sampling and at storage temperature conditions.
4.4 When lab testing, both Procedures 1 and 2 are performed after the sample has equilibrated at the test temperature of interest.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 It has long been the practice to include in fuel specifications a requirement that the fuel be clear and bright and free of visible
particulate matter (see Note 1). However, there has been no standard method for making this determination so that practices have
differed. This test method provides standard procedures for the test.
NOTE 1—Clean and bright is sometimes used in place of clear and bright. The meaning is identical.
5.2 Procedure 1 provides a rapid pass/fail method for contamination in a distillate fuel. Procedure 2 provides a gross numerical
rating of haze appearance, primarily as a communication tool. Other test methods, including Test Methods D2276, D2709, and
D4860, permit quantitative determinations of contaminants. No relationship has been established between Procedure 2 and these
quantitative methods.
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJD417601. Original adjunct produced in 1991.
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJD417602. Original adjunct produced in 1991.
D4176 − 22
5.2.1 Test Method D8148 has established a correlating relationship with Procedure 2 appearance rating numbers by reporting a
correlating instrument haze rating (IHR) based upon its spectroscopically determined haze clarity index (HCI). Supporting data can
be found in RR:D02-1876.
5.3 Limited laboratory evaluations of samples that have failed this clear and bright test indicate that an experienced tester can
detect as little as 40 ppm of free water in the fuel.
6. Interferences
6.1 When a fuel is tested at low temperatures at or below the cloud point temperature of the fuel, small amounts of solid wax
particles may be confused with a water-induced haze or cloudiness.
6.2 If an attempt is made to use the test with fuels darker than a color rating of 5 in Test Method D1500, the presence of free water
or particulate could be obscured and missed by the viewer.
7. Apparatus
7.1 Cylindrical Container, clear-glass, capable of holding 1.0 L 6 0.1 L of fuel and having a diameter of 100 mm 6 10 mm.
7.2 Paper Card (Bar Chart), laminated in clear plastic, having five parallel lines of different widths and meeting the following
description:
7.2.1 Characteristics of Card Stock, white paper 120 mm by 180 mm long.
7.2.2 Line Color, Width, and Spacing, five black lines of increasing widths, commencing with a line 0.6 mm wide, the second line
1.6 mm wide, and each succeeding line 1.6 mm wider to a maximum of 6.4 mm.
7.2.3 The lines shall be numbered from 1 through 5, with the thinnest line being No. 1.
7.3 A series of standard photographs of the bar chart through samples of differing haze levels, numbered from 1 through 6.
Photograph No. 1 is the clearest, while No. 6 represents the densest haze.
7.4 The differences between these haze levels are arbitrary and are not intended to represent equivalent increases in suspended
water content or particulates. It is essential, therefore, that only the proper approved photos be used.
7.5 Temperature Sensing Device (TSD),capable of monitoring the observed test temperature to within an accuracy of 60.5 °C
(61 °F) for use in laboratory tests that require measurements to be made at a specific temperature.
7.6 Temperature-Controlled Bath, of suitable dimensions and capable of controlling the sample container temperature within
60.5 °C (61 °F) of the desired temperature for laboratory tests that require measurements to be made at a specific temperature.
8. Sampling
8.1 Sampling shall be consistent with the procedures of Practice D4057.
8.2 Draw the sample directly into the sample container using the following procedure:
8.2.1 Be sure the sampling valve is free of loose solid contaminants. If rust or other loose encrustations are present, remove with
a cloth; then flush the sampling valve prior to taking the actual sample.
8.2.2 Rinse a clean test container thoroughly with the fuel being sampled. (Warning—Flammable. See Annex A1.1.)
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:D02-1876. Contact ASTM Customer
Service at service@astm.org.
D4176 − 22
8.2.3 Draw app
...