Fuel Oil Testing

How to Choose the Right Fuel Oil Testing Method

You can’t settle for just any test method when it comes to fuel oil. Additionally, when looking to purchase fuel oil testing equipment, you need to carefully consider your options so that you can get the best ones. This is because the fuel oil you test and the equipment you use directly impact the final results. For this reason, it is crucial that you understand the differet fuel testing methods and select the one that works best for you. In order to help you choose a fuel oil testing method, we’ve created a resource that explains the different methods available, what to look out for when selecting, as well as the benefits of fuel oil testing.

Selecting the Best Fuel Oil Testing Method

There are many methods that one can use to test fuel oil’s quality. You can use the ASTM or ISO test methods, depending on your volume. These ASTM test methods are accepted worldwide for both quality and reliability. They include:

• Spectral exam: In this test, the fuel oil is run through a spectrometer to analyse the oil and determine the additives.
• Insoluble tests: This test checks for anything not soluble in the oil. They could be abrasive solids that come from oil oxidation.
• Viscosity tests: This generally measures the grade and thickness of the oil.
• Flash point tests: This test checks the temperature through which the oil vapours and ignites.
• Vapour Phase method: Commonly known as ASTM D3612C, it is used for dissolved gas analysis.
• FID ionisation detector: The test checks the gas concentration and thermal conductivity.
• DGA gas chromatography test: Also known as ASTM D3612 or IEC 60567, this test analyses transformer oil.
• Liquid chromatography: The deep analytical method determines the amount of furan derivatives and additives present in transformer oil.
• IR-Spectrometry: The method diagnoses additives, aromatic, and acidic components in fuel oil.
• Thin-layer chromatography: The test detects the amount of ionol additive in the oil.

All these methods are excellent and bring accurate results. However, when choosing, you need to check the state or type of oil you have, as some are bunker fuels, blending components, feedstock, or power station fuel. How you test the bunker fuels will be different from how you test the power station fuel. Once you have identified the type of fuel oil, you should then check the available equipment and machines for the tests. Do not tense if you lack these testing machines and equipment. You can entrust the tasks to reputable companies to help you test. They will only need you to send a small sample of the fuel oil. Once they get it, they will carry out all the relevant tests and send you a detailed report of their findings. It is as easy as that.

The Benefits of Fuel Oil Testing

• It Eliminates Risks to the Users: The quality control of fuel oil affects everyone from the producer, trader, distributor, and the ultimate consumer. As the market for fuel oil continues to expand, there are also quality challenges that we must be ready to face. Most countries are producing fuel oil, and this brings in inconsistency. To eliminate this, you need to carry out a fuel oil test.
• The Test Identifies the Impurities: Fuel oil comes from the ground. Depending on the location, it may contain different minerals and components, some of which are dangerous when ignited. During the test, you will get accurate information on trace metals content, sulphur content, the number of asphaltenes in the oil, as well as bromine content. Even more, you will learn the fuel oil’s viscosity and density.
• Eliminate Contamination with Water: Looking at most fuel oil, you realise that it is transported by sea. While it may be well protected and safe, it may also get water contamination, and this affects its quality. If there is water in the fuel tank, the machinery, equipment and cars will be adversely affected.
• It Shows the Fuel Oil’s Stability: Fuel oil is a crucial component in our day to day activities. When it is stored for longer periods, it can become unstable due to the presence of asphaltenes. If it has a high asphaltene content, it may precipitate and cause sludge. This sludge, in turn, blocks filters and pipes, and this could damage the equipment and machines.
• For Legal Compliance: There are several standards that a company follows when working or operating. Before any company begins, they must first fulfil their legal obligations. Testing your fuel oil is a requirement by ISO and ASTM.

Fuel oil testing is an essential thing in everyone’s life. It is used in boilers at home, furnaces to heat the home and buildings, as well as for industrial heating applications. It can also be used to produce electricity in power plants. Since it is a crucial component, you need to ensure that it is indeed of the right quality and without any impurities. With these tests, one can ascertain the ideality of the fuel oil before dispatching it to the required areas.