An American National Standard

Designation: D 2709 – 96 (Reapproved 2001)e1

Standard Test Method for

Water and Sediment in Middle Distillate Fuels by Centrifuge1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2709; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

e1 NOTE—Warning notes were placed in the text editorially in June 2001.

1. Scope 4. Summary of Test Method

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the volume 4.1 A 100-mL sample of the undiluted fuel is centrifuged at
of free water and sediment in middle distillate fuels having a relative centrifugal force of 800 for 10 min. at 21 to 32°C (70
viscosities at 40°C (104°F) in the range of 1.0 to 4.1 mm 2/s to 90°F) in a centrifuge tube readable to 0.005 mL and
(1.0 to 4.1 cSt) and densities in the range of 770 to 900 kg/m3. measurable to 0.01 mL. After centrifugation, the volume of
water and sediment which has settled into the tip of the
NOTE 1—Fuels corresponding to Specification D 975 Grades 1D and
2D, Specification D 2880 Grades 0-GT, 1-GT and 2-GT, and Specification centrifuge tube is read to the nearest 0.005 mL and reported as
D 3699 Grades 1-K and 2-K will usually fall in this viscosity and density the volumetric percent water and sediment by centrifuge.
range. Test Method D 1796 is intended for higher viscosity fuel oils.
5. Significance and Use
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard. The values given in parenthesis are for 5.1 This test method is used as an indication of water and
information only. sediment in middle distillate fuels such as Grades Nos. 1 and 2
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all safety fuel oil, (Specification D 396) Nos. 1-D and 2-D diesel fuel,
problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility (Specification D 975) and Nos. 0-GT, 1-GT, and 2-GT gas
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and turbine fuels (Specification D 2880).
health practices and determine the application of regulatory 5.2 Appreciable amounts of water and sediment in a fuel oil
limitations prior to use. tend to cause fouling of the fuel-handling facilities and to give
trouble in the fuel system of a burner or engine. An accumu-
2. Referenced Documents lation of sediment in storage tanks and on filter screens can
2.1 ASTM Standards: obstruct the flow of oil from the tank to the combustor. Water
D 396 Specification for Fuel Oils2 in middle distillate fuels can cause corrosion of tanks and
D 975 Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils2 equipment, and if detergent is present, the water can cause
D 1796 Test Method for Water and Sediment in Fuel Oils by emulsions or a hazy appearance. Water is necessary to support
the Centrifuge Method (Laboratory Procedure)2 microbiological growth at fuel water-interfaces in fuel systems.
D 2880 Specification for Gas Turbine Fuel Oils2 6. Apparatus
D 3699 Specification for Kerosine3
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and 6.1 Centrifuge, capable of whirling two or more filled
Petroleum Products3 centrifuge tubes at a speed which can be controlled to give a
relative centrifugal force (rcf) of 800 6 60 at the tip of the
3. Terminology tubes. The revolving head, trunnion rings, and trunnion cups,
3.1 Description of Terms Specific to This Standard: including the cushions, are to be soundly constructed to
3.1.1 distillate fuel—a virgin or cracked or blend of virgin withstand the maximum centrifugal force capable of being
and cracked distillate having a flash point greater than 38°C. delivered by the power source. The trunnion cups and cushions
shall support the tubes when the centrifuge is in motion. The
centrifuge shall be enclosed by a metal shield or case strong
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on enough to eliminate danger if any breakage occurs.
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 6.2 The data in Table 1 can be used to determine the
D02.14 on Stability and Cleanliness of Liquid Fuels.
Current edition approved January 10, 1996. Published March 1996. Originally
centrifuge speed setting required for the centrifuge to meet
published as D 2709 – 68. Last previous edition D 2709 – 93. relative centrifugal force requirements for this method and was
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01. developed using the following equations:
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 2709 – 96 (2001)e1
TABLE 1 Rotation Speeds Applicable for Centrifuges 8. Procedure
of Various Diameters of Swing
8.1 Temperature Control—After the sample container and
Diameters of SwingA Rpm at 500 Rpm at 800 its contents have equilibrated to laboratory temperature, be-
in. cm rcf rcf
tween 70 to 90°F (21 to 32°C), agitate the full sample by hand
12 30.5 1710 2160 or preferably by a mechanical shaker for 10 min to ensure
13 33.0 1650 2080
14 35.6 1590 2000
homogeneity. ( Warning—Flammable).
15 38.1 1530 1930 8.2 As soon as possible, to prevent losing any water or
16 40.6 1480 1870 sediment, fill the centrifuge tube to the 100-mL mark directly
17 43.2 1440 1820
18 45.7 1400 1770
from the sample container. Stopper and place in a trunnion cup
19 48.3 1360 1720 opposite another filled tube to establish a balanced condition,
20 50.8 1330 1680 and whirl 10 min at a speed sufficient to produce a relative
21 53.3 1300 1640
22 55.9 1270 1600 centrifugal force (rcf) of 800 6 60 at the tip of the whirling
23 58.4 1240 1560 tubes. (For the relationship between diameter of swings, rcf,
24 61.0 1210 1530 and rpm, see Table 1.) Record the combined water and
A
Measured between tips of opposite tubes when in rotating position. sediment at the bottom of the tube to the nearest 0.005 mL.

rpm 5 265 =rcf/d (1) 9. Report

9.1 Report the volume of the combined water and sediment
where:
rcf = relative centrifugal force, and read from the tube as the percentage of the total sample, since
d = diameter of swing, in inches, measured between tips a 100-mL sample was used. Report results lower than 0.005 %
of opposite tubes when in rotating position or as either 0 or 0.005 volume % .

rpm 5 422=rcf/d (2) 10. Precision and Bias 5

where: 10.1 Precision6—The precision of the procedure in this test
rcf = relative centrifugal force, and method, for measuring the volume percent amount of com-
d = diameter of swing, in centimetres, measured between bined water and sediment in middle distillate fuels by centri-
tips of opposite tubes when in rotating position. fuge was determined by a round robin test program performed
6.3 Centrifuge Tube, cone-shaped, 100-mL with capillary by six individuals using 13 samples at a common site.
tip capable of measuring 0.01 mL4 and readable by estimation 10.1.1 Repeatability—The difference between successive
to 0.005 %. measured volume percent amounts of combined water and
6.4 Centrifuge Tube, pear-shaped,5 100-mL, with tube tip sediment obtained by the same operator using the same
having graduations of 0.01 mL5 over the range 0 to 0.2 mL. centrifuge and type of pear shaped tube under constant
operating conditions on identical distillate fuel samples at the
7. Sampling same site would, in the long run and in the normal and correct
7.1 Sampling shall be consistent with the procedures of operation of the test method, exceed 0.014 volume percent in
Practice D 4057. one case in twenty.
7.2 The sample for a laboratory test will normally be an 10.1.2 Reproducibility—The difference between two single
aliquot of a much larger sample taken for full or partial independent measurements of volume percent amounts of
specification testing. The full sample should have been taken combined water and sediment obtained by different operator/
by a procedure consistent with Practice D 4057. Allow the centrifuge pairs using the same type of pear shaped tube on
sample container and its content to equilbrate between 21 to identical distillate fuel samples at the same site would, in the
32°C (70 to 90°F). In general, the chosen laboratory test long run, in the normal and correct operation of the test
temperature should not be lower than that at which the fuel is method, exceed 0.041 volume percent in one case in twenty.
stored or used as too low a temperature may cause free water 10.2 Bias6—Since there is no accepted reference material
haze to form from additional free water formation. suitable for determining the bias for this procedure for mea-
suring water, the bias is not available for this test method.
4
Satisfactory tubes readable to 0.05 mL and capable of measuring to the nearest
11. Keywords
0.01 mL are available from Stanhope-Seta, Park Close, Englefield Green, Egham,
Suney, TW 20 0Y0, England or their U.S. distributors and Kimble, 537 Crystal Ave., 11.1 centrifuge; centrifuge tube; distillate fuel; water and
Vineland, NJ 08360. Other sources may be available but are not known at this time. sediment
5
Precision data for this test used pearshaped tubes. Satisfactory tubes readable to
0.005 mL by interpolation and measurable markings at the nearest 0.01 mL over the
range 0 to 0.2 mL are available from Fisher Scientific, 711 Forbes Ave. Pittsburg, PA
15219–4785, and Reliance Glass Texas, 1605 Comunity Drive, Pasedena, TX
6
77501. Supporting data is on file at ASTM Headquarters. Request RR: D02-1308.

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 D 2709 – 96 (2001)e1
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