An American National Standard

Designation: D 396 – 08c

Standard Specification for

Fuel Oils1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 396; 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 Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification (see Note 1) covers grades of fuel oil 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
intended for use in various types of fuel-oil-burning equipment D 56 Test Method for Flash Point by Tag Closed Cup Tester
under various climatic and operating conditions. These grades D 86 Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products at
are described as follows: Atmospheric Pressure
1.1.1 Grades No. 1 S5000, No. 1 S500, No. 2 S5000, and D 93 Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens
No. 2 S500 are middle distillate fuels for use in domestic and Closed Cup Tester
small industrial burners. Grades No. 1 S5000 and No. 1 S500 D 95 Test Method for Water in Petroleum Products and
are particularly adapted to vaporizing type burners or where Bituminous Materials by Distillation
storage conditions require low pour point fuel. D 97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
1.1.2 Grades No. 4 (Light) and No. 4 are heavy distillate D 129 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products (Gen-
fuels or middle distillate/residual fuel blends used in eral Bomb Method)
commercial/industrial burners equipped for this viscosity D 130 Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from
range. Petroleum Products by Copper Strip Test
1.1.3 Grades No. 5 (Light), No. 5 (Heavy), and No. 6 are D 445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
residual fuels of increasing viscosity and boiling range, used in and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscos-
industrial burners. Preheating is usually required for handling ity)
and proper atomization. D 473 Test Method for Sediment in Crude Oils and Fuel
NOTE 1—For information on the significance of the terminology and
Oils by the Extraction Method
test methods used in this specification, see Appendix X1. D 482 Test Method for Ash from Petroleum Products
NOTE 2—A more detailed description of the grades of fuel oils is given D 524 Test Method for Ramsbottom Carbon Residue of
in X1.3. Petroleum Products
1.2 This specification is for the use of purchasing agencies D 975 Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils
in formulating specifications to be included in contracts for D 1266 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products
purchases of fuel oils and for the guidance of consumers of fuel (Lamp Method)
oils in the selection of the grades most suitable for their needs. D 1298 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific
1.3 Nothing in this specification shall preclude observance Gravity), or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid
of federal, state, or local regulations which can be more Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method
restrictive. D 1552 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as (High-Temperature Method)
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this D 2500 Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Products
standard. D 2622 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by
Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
NOTE 3—The generation and dissipation of static electricity can create D 2709 Test Method for Water and Sediment in Middle
problems in the handling of distillate burner fuel oils. For more informa- Distillate Fuels by Centrifuge
tion on the subject, see Guide D 4865.
D 2887 Test Method for Boiling Range Distribution of
Petroleum Fractions by Gas Chromatography
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
2
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
D02.E0 on Burner, Diesel, Non-Aviation Gas Turbine, and Marine Fuels. contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2008. Published January 2009. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1934. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D 396–08b. 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.

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 D 396 – 08c
D 3245 Test Method for Pumpability of Industrial Fuel Oils 4. General Requirements
D 3828 Test Methods for Flash Point by Small Scale Closed 4.1 The grades of fuel oil specified herein shall be homo-
Cup Tester geneous hydrocarbon based oils, free from inorganic acid, and
D 4052 Test Method for Density and Relative Density of free from excessive amounts of solid or fibrous foreign matter.
Liquids by Digital Density Meter 4.2 All grades containing residual components shall remain
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and uniform in normal storage and not separate by gravity into light
Petroleum Products and heavy oil components outside the viscosity limits for the
D 4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and grade.
Petroleum Products 4.3 Fuels Blended with Biodiesel—The detailed require-
D 4294 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum and Petroleum ments for fuels blended with biodiesel shall be as follows:
Products by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spec- 4.3.1 Biodiesel for Blending—If biodiesel is a component of
trometry any fuel oil, the biodiesel shall meet the requirements of
D 4306 Practice for Aviation Fuel Sample Containers for Specification D 6751.
Tests Affected by Trace Contamination 4.3.2 Fuel oil containing up to 5 vol% biodiesel shall meet
the requirements for the appropriate grade No. 1 or No. 2 fuel
D 4865 Guide for Generation and Dissipation of Static
as listed in Table 1.
Electricity in Petroleum Fuel Systems
4.3.3 Test Method EN 14078 shall be used for determina-
D 5453 Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in tion of the vol% biodiesel in a biodiesel blend.
Light Hydrocarbons, Spark Ignition Engine Fuel, Diesel 4.3.4 Fuel oils containing more than 5 vol% biodiesel
Engine Fuel, and Engine Oil by Ultraviolet Fluorescence component are not included in this specification.
D 5842 Practice for Sampling and Handling of Fuels for 4.3.5 Biodiesel blends with Grades 4, 5, or 6 are not covered
Volatility Measurement by this specification.
D 5854 Practice for Mixing and Handling of Liquid
Samples of Petroleum and Petroleum Products 5. Detailed Requirements
D 5949 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products 5.1 The various grades of fuel oil shall conform to the
(Automatic Pressure Pulsing Method) limiting requirements shown in Table 1. A representative
D 5950 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products sample shall be taken for testing in accordance with Practice
(Automatic Tilt Method) D 4057.
D 5985 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products 5.2 Modifications of limiting requirements to meet special
(Rotational Method) operating conditions agreed upon between the purchaser, the
D 6469 Guide for Microbial Contamination in Fuels and seller, and the supplier shall fall within limits specified for each
Fuel Systems grade, except as stated in supplementary footnotes for Table 1.
D 6751 Specification for Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock 6. Sampling, Containers, and Sample Handling
(B100) for Middle Distillate Fuels
6.1 The reader is strongly advised to review all intended test
2.2 Other Documents:
methods prior to sampling in order to understand the impor-
26 CFR Part 48 Diesel Fuel Excise Tax; Dye Color and tance and effects of sampling technique, proper containers, and
Concentration3 special handling required for each test method.
40 CFR Part 80 Regulation of Fuel and Fuel Additives3 6.2 Correct sampling procedures are critical to obtaining a
EN 14078 Determination of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) sample representative of the fuel oil to be tested. Refer to X1.4
content in middle distillates — Infrared spectrometry for recommendations. The recommended procedures or prac-
method4 tices provide techniques useful in the proper sampling or
handling of fuels oils.
3. Terminology
7. Test Methods
3.1 Definitions:
7.1 The requirements enumerated in this specification shall
3.1.1 biodiesel, n—fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of
be determined in accordance with the following ASTM test
long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal
methods,5 except as may be required under 7.1.1.
fats, designated B100.
7.1.1 Flash Point—Test Method D 93 (Procedure A) for
3.1.2 biodiesel blend (BXX), n—blend of biodiesel fuel with Grades No. 1 S5000, No. 1 S500, No. 2 S5000, No. 2 S500,
fuel oils. and No. 4 (Light), and Test Method D 93 (Procedure B) for
3.1.2.1 Discussion—In the abbreviation BXX, the XX rep- Grades No. 4, No. 5 (Light), No. 5 (Heavy), and No. 6, except
resents the volume percentage of biodiesel fuel in the blend. where other methods are prescribed by law. For Grades No. 1

5
For information on the precision of the ASTM test methods for fuel oils refer
3
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Docu- to “An Evaluation of Methods for Determination of Sulfur in Fuel Oils” by A. R.
ments, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401. Crawford, Esso Mathematics and Systems Inc. and G. V. Dyroff, Esso Research and
4
Available from the National CEN members listed on the CEN website Engineering Co., 1969. This document is available from the Publications Section,
(www.cenorm.be) or from the CEN/TC 19 Secretariat ([email protected]). API Library, American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20005.

2
 D 396 – 08c
TABLE 1 Detailed Requirements for Fuel OilsA
ASTM Test No. 1 No. 1 No. 2 Grade No. 4 No. 5 No. 5
Property No. 2 S500B No. 4 No. 6
MethodB S500B S5000B S5000B (Light)B (Light) (Heavy)
Flash Point, °C, min D 93 – Proc. A 38 38 38 38 38 ... ... ... ...
D 93 – Proc. B ... ... ... ... ... 55 55 55 60
Water and sediment, % vol, max D 2709 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 ... ... ... ... ...
D 95 + D 473 ... ... ... ... (0.50)C (0.50)C (1.00)C (1.00)C (2.00)C
Distillation Temperature, °C D 86
10 % volume recovered, max 215 215 ... ...
90 % volume recovered, min ... ... 282 282
90 % volume recovered, max 288 288 338 338
Kinematic viscosity at 40°C, mm2/s D 445
min 1.3 1.3 1.9 1.9 1.9 >5.5 ... ... ...
max 2.4 2.4 4.1 4.1 5.5 24.0D
Kinematic viscosity at 100°C, mm2/s D 445
min ... ... ... ... ... ... 5.0 9.0 15.0
max ... ... ... ... ... ... 8.9D 14.9D 50.0D
Ramsbottom carbon residue on 10 % D 524 0.15 0.15 0.35 0.35 ... ... ... ... ...
distillation residue % mass, max
Ash, % mass, max D 482 ... ... ... ... 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.15 ...
Sulfur, % mass maxE D 129 ... 0.50 ... 0.50 ... ... ... ... ...
D 2622 0.05 0.05
Copper strip corrosion rating, max, D 130 No. 3 No. 3 No. 3 No. 3 ... ... ... ... ...
3 h at a minimum control
temperature of 50°C
Density at 15°C, kg/m3 D 1298
min ... ... ... ... >876F ... ... ... ...
max 850 850 876 876 ... ... ... ... ...
Pour Point °C, maxG D 97 −18 −18 −6 −6 −6 −6 ... ... H

A
It is the intent of these classifications that failure to meet any requirement of a given grade does not automatically place an oil in the next lower grade unless in fact
it meets all requirements of the lower grade. However, to meet special operating conditions, modifications of individual limiting requirements may be agreed upon among
the purchaser, seller, and manufacturer.
B
Under United States regulations, Grades No. 1 S5000, No. 1 S500, No. 2 S5000, No. 2 S500, and No. 4 (Light) are required by 40 CFR Part 80 to contain a sufficient
amount of the dye Solvent Red 164 so its presence is visually apparent. At or beyond terminal storage tanks, they are required by 26 CFR Part 48 to contain the dye Solvent
Red 164 at a concentration spectrally equivalent to 3.9 lb per thousand barrels of the solid dye standard Solvent Red 26.
C
The amount of water by distillation by Test Method D 95 plus the sediment by extraction by Test Method D 473 shall not exceed the value shown in the table. For Grade
No. 6 fuel oil, the amount of sediment by extraction shall not exceed 0.50 mass %, and a deduction in quantity shall be made for all water and sediment in excess of 1.0
mass %.
D
Where low sulfur fuel oil is required, fuel oil falling in the viscosity range of a lower numbered grade down to and including No. 4 can be supplied by agreement between
the purchaser and supplier. The viscosity range of the initial shipment shall be identified and advance notice shall be required when changing from one viscosity range
to another. This notice shall be in sufficient time to permit the user to make the necessary adjustments.
E
Other sulfur limits may apply in selected areas in the United States and in other countries.
F
This limit ensures a minimum heating value and also prevents misrepresentation and misapplication of this product as Grade No. 2.
G
Lower or higher pour points can be specified whenever required by conditions of storage or use. When a pour point less than −18°C is specified, the minimum viscosity
at 40°C for grade No. 2 shall be 1.7 mm2/s and the minimum 90 % recovered temperature shall be waived.
H
Where low sulfur fuel oil is required, Grade No. 6 fuel oil will be classified as Low Pour ( +15°C max) or High Pour (no max). Low Pour fuel oil should be used unless
tanks and lines are heated.

S5000, No. 1 S500, No. 2 S5000, No. 2 S500, and No. 4 shall be determined in accordance with Test Method D 2709
(Light), Test Methods D 3828 may be used as an alternate with and in Grade Nos. 4, 5, and 6 by Test Method D 95 and Test
the same limits. For Grades No. 1, No. 1 Low Sulfur, No. 2, Method D 473. A density of 1.0 kg/L shall be used for the Test
and No. 2 Low Sulfur, Test Method D 56 may be used as an Method D 95 water.
alternate with the same limits, provided the flash point is below 7.1.4 Carbon Residue—Test Method D 524.
93°C and the viscosity is below 5.5 mm2/s at 40°C. This test 7.1.5 Ash—Test Method D 482.
method will give slightly lower values. In cases of dispute, Test 7.1.6 Distillation—Distillation of Grade No. 1 and No. 2
Method D 93, with the appropriate procedure, shall be used as oils shall be determined in accordance with Test Methods D 86
the referee method. or D 2887.6 Results from Test Method D 2887 shall be reported
7.1.2 Pour Point—Test Method D 97. For all grades, the as “Predicted D86” results by application of the correlation in
automatic Test Methods D 5949, D 5950, and D 5985 can be Appendix X5 Test Method D 2887 to convert the values. In
used as alternates with the same limits. In case of dispute, Test case of dispute, Test Method D 86 shall be used as the referee
Method D 97 shall be used as the referee method. Alternative test method.
test methods that indicate flow point properties can be used for 7.1.7 Viscosity—Viscosity shall be determined in accor-
low sulfur residual fuels by agreement between purchaser and dance with Test Method D 445.
supplier.
7.1.3 Water and Sediment—The water and sediment in 6
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
Grade No. 1 S500, No. 1 S5000, No. 2 S500, and No. 2 S5000 be obtained by requesting Research Report RR: D02-1553.

3
 D 396 – 08c
7.1.8 Density—Test Method D 1298. Test Method D 4052 sulfur contents of 0.4 mass % and less (down to 0.01 %). Test
can be used as an alternate with the same limits. In case of Method D 5453 can be used for Grades 1 and 2 fuel oils, but
dispute, Test Method D 1298 shall be used as the referee only with samples having sulfur contents of 0.8 mass % and
method. less (down to 0.001 %). In case of dispute, Test Method D 129
7.1.9 Corrosion—Test Method D 130, 3-h test at a mini- is the referee test method for Grades 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 of this
mum control temperature of 50°C. specification and Test Method D 2622 is the referee test
7.1.10 Sulfur—Test Method D 129 for Grades 1, 2, 4, 5, and method for Grades No. 1 S500 and No. 2 S500.
6 and Test Method D 2622 for Grades No. 1 S500 and No. 2
S500. Test Methods D 1552, D 2622, and D 4294 can also be 8. Keywords
used for all grades. In addition, Test Method D 1266 can be 8.1 biodiesel; biodiesel blend; burner fuels; fuel oils; fur-
used for Grade No. 1 S5000, but only with samples having nace oils; petroleum and petroleum products

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. SIGNIFICANCE OF ASTM SPECIFICATION FOR FUEL OILS

X1.1 Scope deposits on ferrous heat exchanger surfaces compared to Grade

X1.1.1 This specification divides fuel oils into grades based No. 2 S5000 when burned under similar conditions.
upon the types of burners for which they are suitable. It places X1.3.3 Grade No. 4 (Light) is a heavy distillate fuel or
limiting values on several of the properties of the oils in each distillate/residual fuel blend meeting the specification viscosity
grade. The properties selected for limitation are those that are range. It is intended for use both in pressure-atomizing
believed to be of the greatest significance in determining the commercial-industrial burners not requiring higher cost distil-
performance characteristics of the oils in the types of burners lates and in burners equipped to atomize oils of higher
in which they are most commonly used. viscosity. Its permissible viscosity range allows it to be
pumped and atomized at relatively low-storage temperatures.
X1.2 Classes X1.3.4 Grade No. 4 is usually a heavy distillate/residual
X1.2.1 Because of the methods employed in their produc- fuel blend but can be a heavy distillate fuel meeting the
tion, fuel oils fall into two broad classifications: distillates and specification viscosity range. It is intended for use in burners
residuals. The distillates consist of overhead or distilled frac- equipped with devices that atomize oils of higher viscosity than
tions. The residuals are bottoms remaining from the distilla- domestic burners can handle. Its permissible viscosity range
tion, or blends of these bottoms with distillates. In this allows it to be pumped and atomized at relatively low storage
specification, Grades No. 1 and No. 2 are distillates and the temperatures. Thus, in all but extremely cold weather it
grades from No. 4 to No. 6 are usually residual, although some requires no preheating for handling.
heavy distillates can be sold as Grade No. 4. X1.3.5 Grade No. 5 (Light) is residual fuel of intermediate
viscosity for burners capable of handling fuel more viscous
X1.3 Grades than grade No. 4 without preheating. Preheating may be
X1.3.1 Grades No. 1 S5000 and No. 1 S500 are middle necessary in some types of equipment for burning and in colder
distillates intended for use in burners of the vaporizing type in climates for handling.
which the oil is converted to a vapor by contact with a heated X1.3.6 Grade No. 5 (Heavy) is a residual fuel more viscous
surface or by radiation. High volatility is necessary to ensure than Grade No. 5 (Light) and is intended for use in similar
that evaporation proceeds with a minimum of residue. The low service. Preheating may be necessary in some types of equip-
sulfur grade S500 may be specified by federal, state, or local ment for burning and in colder climates for handling.
regulations and can result in reduced deposits on ferrous heat X1.3.7 Grade No. 6, sometimes referred to as Bunker C, is
exchanger surfaces compared to Grade No. 1 S5000 when a high-viscosity oil used mostly in commercial and industrial
burned under similar conditions. heating. It requires preheating in the storage tank to permit
X1.3.2 Grades No. 2 S5000 and No. 2 S500 are middle pumping, and additional preheating at the burner to permit
distillates somewhat heavier than grades No. 1 S5000 and atomizing. The extra equipment and maintenance required to
No. 1 S500. They are intended for use in atomizing type handle this fuel usually preclude its use in small installations.
burners which spray the oil into a combustion chamber where X1.3.8 Residual fuel oil supplied to meet regulations requir-
the tiny droplets burn while in suspension. These grades of oil ing low sulfur content can differ from the grade previously
are used in most domestic burners and in many medium supplied. It may be lower in viscosity (and fall into a different
capacity commercial-industrial burners where ease of handling grade number). If it must be fluid at a given temperature, Test
and ready availability sometimes justify higher cost over the Method D 97 need not accurately reflect the pour point which
residual fuels. The low sulfur grade S500 may be specified by can be expected after a period of storage. It is suggested that
federal, state, or local regulations and can result in reduced the purchaser and supplier discuss the proper handling and

4
 D 396 – 08c
operating techniques for a given low-sulfur residual fuel oil in heating fuels under extreme cold conditions. Some pipeline
the installation where it is to be used. companies or local specifications have included requirements
for both cloud and pour points for certain grades of fuel oil.
X1.4 Sampling, Containers, and Sample Handling
(1) Pour Point—The pour point is an indication of the
X1.4.1 Introduction—This appendix section provides guid- lowest temperature at which a fuel oil is capable of flowing
ance on methods and techniques for the proper sampling of fuel under very low forces. The pour point is prescribed in
oils. As fuel oil specifications become more stringent, and
accordance with the conditions of storage and use. Higher pour
contaminants and impurities become more tightly controlled,
point fuels are permissible where heated storage and adequate
even greater care needs to be taken in collecting and storing
piping facilities are provided. An increase in pour point can
samples for quality assessment.
occur when residual fuel oils are subjected to cyclic tempera-
X1.4.2 Sampling, Containers, and Sample Handling Rec-
ommendations: ture variations that can occur in the course of storage or when
X1.4.2.1 Appropriate manual method sampling procedures the fuel is preheated and returned to storage tanks. To predict
found in Practice D 4057, and automatic method sampling is these properties, Test Method D 3245 may be required.
covered in Practice D 4177. (2) Cloud Point (Test Method D 2500)—The cloud point
X1.4.2.2 The correct sample volume and appropriate con- defines the temperature at which a cloud or haze of wax
tainer selection are important decisions that can impact test crystals appears in the oil under prescribed test conditions
results. Refer to Practice D 4306 for aviation fuel container which generally relates to the temperature at which wax
selection for tests sensitive to trace contamination. Refer to crystals begin to precipitate from the oil in use. It is generally
Practice D 5854 for procedures on container selection and observed that cloud point temperature of a fuel oil is higher
sample mixing and handling. than its pour point by several degrees Celsius. Fuel oils stored
X1.4.2.3 For volatility determination of a sample, refer to at, or below, their cloud point temperature can have suspended
Practice D 5842 for special precautions recommended for wax crystals that may cause operability problems due to
representative sampling and handling instructions. plugging. Examples are when fuels are pumped through small
openings or passageways, that is, oil-line filters, burner
X1.5 Significance of Test Methods
nozzles, and pump strainers. The plugging is reversible when
X1.5.1 The significance of the properties of fuel oil on the fuel is warmed.
which limitations are placed by the specification is as follows:
X1.5.1.3 Water and Sediment—Appreciable amounts of
X1.5.1.1 Flash Point—The flash point of a fuel oil is an
indication of the maximum temperature at which it can be water and sediment in a fuel oil tend to cause fouling of
stored and handled without serious fire hazard. The minimum facilities for handling it, and to give trouble in burner mecha-
permissible flash point is usually regulated by federal, state, or nisms. Sediment may accumulate in storage tanks and on filter
municipal laws and is based on accepted practice in handling screens or burner parts, resulting in obstruction to flow of oil
and use. from the tank to the burner. Water in distillate fuels can cause
X1.5.1.2 Reduced Temperature Properties—The fuel’s corrosion of tanks and equipment and it can cause emulsions in
cloud and pour points are good measures for determining low residual fuels.
temperature operability with a batch of fuel oil. It is especially X1.5.1.4 Carbon Residue—The carbon residue of a fuel is a
important to consider these fuel properties if the heating oil measure of the carbonaceous material left after all the volatile
will be subjected to low ambient temperatures at time of use. components are vaporized in the absence of air. It is a rough
Fuel temperatures can fluctuate markedly in small, residential, approximation of the tendency of a fuel to form deposits in
outdoor, above ground tanks compared with indoor, basement vaporizing burners, such as pot-type and sleeve-type burners,
tanks, or underground tanks. A decrease or stoppage of fuel where the fuel is vaporized in an air-deficient atmosphere.
flow can occur in small transfer lines used for residential X1.5.1.4.1 To obtain measurable values of carbon residue in
heating applications because the fuel line temperature will the lighter distillate fuel oils, it is necessary to distill the oil to
fluctuate with ambient temperature faster than will bulk tank remove 90 % of it in accordance with Section 9 of Test Method
contents. Fuel oils purchased during the summer, but not used D 524, and then determine the carbon residue concentrated in
until the cold heating season arrives, can be a serious source of the remaining 10 % bottoms.
problems. This is because when these fuels are produced they
X1.5.1.5 Ash—The amount of ash is the quantity of non-
are intended for use during the warm season and thus typically
have higher cloud and pour points than fuels produced for use combustible material in an oil. Excessive amounts can indicate
during the cold season. Fuels can be produced for use at low the presence of materials that cause high wear of burner pumps
temperatures with lower cloud and pour points by blending and valves, and contribute to deposits on boiler heating
with low paraffin fuels, such as kerosine or No. 1 fuel, and surfaces.
additives, or a combination thereof, to improve low tempera- X1.5.1.6 Distillation—The distillation test shows the vola-
ture operability. The key to effective treatment is routine tility of a fuel and the ease with which it can be vaporized. The
monitoring of incoming and stored fuels, and testing of the test is of greater significance for oils that are to be burned in
treated fuels. Although this specification only sets maximum vaporizing type burners than for the atomizing type. For
limits for the pour point, the recommendations for cloud point example, the maximum 10 % and 90 % distilled temperatures
of distillate fuels in Specification D 975 may be applied to are specified for grade No. 1 fuel. The limiting 10 % value

5
 D 396 – 08c
ensures easy starting in vaporizing type burners and the 90 % ever, when used in conjunction with other properties, it is of
limit excludes heavier fractions that would be difficult to value in mass-volume relationships and in calculating the
vaporize. specific energy (heating value) of an oil.
(1) The limits specified for grade No. 2 heating oil define a X1.5.1.9 Corrosion—The corrosion test serves to indicate
product that is acceptable for burners of the atomizing type in the presence or absence of materials that could corrode copper,
household heating installations. Distillation limits are not brass, and bronze components of the fuel system. This property
specified for fuel oils of grades Nos. 4, 5, and 6. is specified only for Nos. 1 and 2 distillate fuel oils.
X1.5.1.7 Viscosity Limits for Grades Nos. 1 and 2—The X1.5.1.10 Limited sulfur content of fuel oil can be required
viscosity of an oil is a measure of its resistance to flow. In fuel for special uses in connection with heat treatment, nonferrous
oil it is highly significant since it indicates both the relative metal, glass, and ceramic furnaces or to meet federal, state, or
ease with which the oil will flow or can be pumped, and the local legislation or regulations.
ease of atomization. X1.5.1.11 Nitrogen—Nitrogen oxide emission regulations
(1) Viscosity limits for No. 1 and No. 2 grades are specified have been imposed on certain combustion facilities as a
to help maintain uniform fuel flow in appliances with gravity function of fuel nitrogen content. For purposes of these
flow, and to provide satisfactory atomization and constant flow regulations, distillate fuels, low nitrogen residual fuels, and
rate through the small nozzles of household burners. For the high nitrogen residual fuels have been defined by their nitrogen
heavier grades of industrial and bunker fuel oils, viscosity is of content. Installations are required to meet different emission
major importance, so that adequate preheating facilities can be standards according to the classification of the fuel being used.
provided to permit them to be pumped to the burner and to When regulations require such a distinction to be made, fuel
provide good atomization. However, it is equally important nitrogen specifications can be needed in the contractual agree-
that the maximum viscosity under the existing conditions be ment between the purchaser and the supplier.
such that the oil can be pumped satisfactorily from the storage
tank to the preheater. X1.6 Other
X1.5.1.8 Density—Density alone is of little significance as X1.6.1 Microbial Contamination—Refer to Guide D 6469
an indication of the burning characteristics of fuel oil. How- for a discussion of this form of contamination.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Subcommittee D02.E0 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D 396–08b) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Dec. 1, 2008.)

(1) Modified biodiesel blend definition to remove reference to

diesel fuel.

Subcommittee D02.E0 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D 396–08a) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Oct. 1, 2008.)

(1) Added Specification D 6751 and EN 14078. (3) Modified Section 4 on General Requirements to include
(2) Added Section 3 on Terminology. biodiesel blends up to B5.

Subcommittee D02.E0 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D 396–08) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Sept. 1, 2008.)

(1) Modified 7.1.6. Simulated Distillation D2887, including original Footnote D.

(2) Modified Table 1 to remove second set of values for

Subcommittee D02.E0 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D 396–07) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Jan. 15, 2008.)

(1) Change upper viscosity limit for Grades No. 1 S500, No. 1
S5000, No. 2 S500, and No. 2 S5000 in Table 1.

6
 D 396 – 08c

Subcommittee D02.E0 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D 396–06) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved May 1, 2007.)

(1) Removed “3 h at 50°C” from Test Method D 130 require-

ment in Table 1 and 7.1.9 and added new verbiage in its place.

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