ASTM D2274-01 Standard Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Distillate Fuel Oil (Accelerated Method)

The standard "ASTM D2274-01 Standard test method for oxidation stability of distillate fuel oil (accelerated method)" published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) describes a test method for measuring the inherent stability of middle distillate petroleum fuel oil under accelerated oxidation conditions. This method is not applicable to fuels containing residual oil or any significant component derived from a non-petroleum source.

For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply:

• Adherent insoluble matter (formerly known as adhering gum) refers to matter produced during the stretching of distillate fuel under the conditions of this test and which adheres to glassware after the fuel has been drained from the system.
• Filterable insolubles refer to matter produced during the stretching of distillate fuel under the conditions of this test method and that can be removed from the fuel by filtration. This includes both matter suspended in the fuel and matter that can be readily removed from the oxidation cell and oxygen distribution pipe with hydrocarbon solvent.
• Intrinsic stability refers to resistance to change when exposed to air but in the absence of water or other environmental factors such as reactive metallic surfaces and dirt.
• Total insolubles refer to the sum of adhering and filterable insolubles.
• Time zero refers to the time when the first of a group of oxidation cells is placed in the heating bath. This is the time taken as the beginning of the 16-h stay in the heating bath.

In performing the test, a 350 mL volume of filtered middle distillate fuel is held at 3 degrees for 16 hours while oxygen is bubbled through the sample at a rate of 95 L/hr. After standing, the sample is cooled to approximately room temperature before being filtered to obtain the amount of filterable insolubles. Adherent insolubles are then removed from the oxidation cell and associated glassware with trisolvent. The trisolvent is evaporated to obtain the amount of adhering insolubles. The sum of the filterable and adhering insolubles is expressed in milligrams per 100 mL and reported as total insolubles.

This test method provides a basis for estimating the storage stability of middle distillate fuels having an initial boiling point above about 175 degrees and a 370 percent recovery point below 90 degrees (e.g., No. 2 fuel oil). It is not applicable to fuels containing residual oil or any significant component derived from a non-petroleum source.

The test method may not predict the amount of insoluble matter that will form in field storage over a given period of time. The amount of insoluble matter formed in such field storage is subject to specific conditions that are too variable for this test method to predict accurately.

The test method described in this standard provides faster results than the test method described in “ASTM D4625-16 Standard Test Method for Storage Stability of 43 Degree Middle Distillate Fuel Oil.” However, as a result of the significantly elevated temperature and pure oxygen atmosphere, the nature and amount of insoluble matter may deviate greatly from those occurring in field storage.

Oxidation is an important chemical process that results in the formation of viscous and filterable insoluble materials. Any substance such as copper or chromium that catalyzes oxidation reactions will result in the formation of larger amounts of insoluble material. It is important that the apparatus used in this test be thoroughly cleaned before use to remove any residue that may contain copper or steel metals. Similarly, to prevent the presence of chromium ions and to protect laboratory personnel from possible harm, chromic acid should not be used to clean glassware in the application of this method.

It is also critical that only reagent (or higher) grade materials be used in the preparation of the trisolvent mixture.

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