Diesel Fuel testing offered by Eurofins TestOil includes contamination analysis. One common source of contamination in diesel is gasoline. Potential issues that gasoline contamination can cause include: engine failure, depletion of all lubrication, black smoke, and damage to the diesel fuel pump. While gasoline contamination is often suspected after an engine failure has already occurred, there may be early indicators. These include a clear difference in the odor of the fuel (i.e., the odor of gas is present after delivery to a diesel storage tank) or a polypropylene bottle that starts to deteriorate/melt after the sample is placed in the bottle.
According to Eurofins TestOil Business Development Manager Stephanie Boardman, common sources of gasoline contamination include dispensing from the wrong pump into a vehicle, and the wrong fuel being delivered to a storage tank and then dispensed into fleet vehicles.
Eurofins TestOil detects gasoline contamination primarily through the following two tests.
Distillation: ASTM D86
This test method quantifies the atmospheric distillation of petroleum products and liquid fuels using laboratory batch distillation testing equipment to determine boiling range characteristics quantitatively. This measures boiling points in a range from the initial boiling point to the final boiling point--the boiling point is much lower for gasoline than for diesel. Temperatures outside the established norm for gasoline can indicate contamination.
Flash Point: ASTM D86 by Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester
Flash Point is the lowest temperature at which an ignition source will cause the vapors of the test sample to ignite under specified test conditions. The Flash Point temperature then determines the tendency of the test specimen to form a flammable mixture with air when under these controlled laboratory conditions. Flash Point testing by the Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester method determines the Flash Point of gasoline in the temperature range of 40°C to 370°C. Gas has a much lower Flash Point, approximately -43°C, while #2 diesel fuel has a typical Flash Point greater than 52°C. A higher than expected gasoline Flash Point will indicate contamination with less volatile substances such as diesel.
If contamination is suspected, and certainly once it is confirmed, remediation needs to take place without delay. Stephanie advises, “The important thing to remember is that when diesel becomes contaminated, all fuel needs to be purged, and the tank flushed immediately. Other repairs may also be necessary. “
For more information on working with Eurofins TestOil for fuel testing, oil analysis and/or training visit www.testoil.com. Contact: 216-251-2510; sales@testoil.com.
About Eurofins TestOil
With more than 30 years of experience in the oil analysis industry, Eurofins TestOil focuses exclusively on assisting industrial facilities with reducing maintenance costs and avoiding unexpected downtime through oil and fuel analysis program implementation. As industry experts in diagnosing oil-related issues in equipment such as turbines, hydraulics, gearboxes, pumps, compressors and diesel generators, Eurofins TestOil provides customers with same-day turnaround on routine oil analysis testing. For more information on partnering with Eurofins TestOil on oil analysis programs or training opportunities visit https://testoil.com. Contact: Michael Barrett 216-251-2510; sales@testoil.com.
About Eurofins – the global leader in bio-analysis
Eurofins is Testing for Life. Eurofins is the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing, and in discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences and agroscience Contract Research services. Eurofins is also a market leader in certain testing and laboratory services for genomics, and in the support of clinical studies, as well as in BioPharma Contract Development and Manufacturing. The Group also has a rapidly developing presence in highly specialised and molecular clinical diagnostic testing and in-vitro diagnostic products.
With over 61,000 staff across a network of 940 laboratories in 59 countries, Eurofins’ companies offer a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods. Eurofins Shares are listed on Euronext Paris Stock Exchange.
